Application for the Review of Supply Kits Consultancy

2 March 2015

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am interested in the consultant post for the review of MSF supply kits and I would like to submit my
candidature for your consideration. I come from a global health background with technical expertise in
humanitarian supply logistics and experience with MSF since 2008 both in headquarters and in the field.

I have joined a number of field missions with MSF, working as a logistician and supply coordinator as well
as mentoring others in these roles. MSF kits are familiar to me as I have relied on them in the past for the
quick provision of urgently needed items in both intended an unintended ways. There have been days when I
have waded through stacks of kits that were half-opened a year prior hoping to contain the mayhem in my
stock management tools so I understand some of the challenges as well as the benefits. The kit system was at
its origins an impressive innovation and has eased ordering for start-up projects and rapid scale-up scenarios
alike, yet all good innovations need momentum and regular review to stay relevant. I would enjoy gathering
together the concerns, ideas and needs of colleagues along the spectrum of stakeholders to contribute to
improvements for future iterations of MSF kits.

My project management skills are strong and I have experience designing and implementing evaluations,
most recently performing an Ebola intervention evaluation with Doctors of the World. Familiar with MSF's
international movement and intersectional dynamic from my time at MSF International, I would be
comfortable liaising with multiple stakeholders in English or in French and I am willing to travel.

I believe my knowledge and interest in this area of work would be an asset to your team and I am at your
disposal for any questions. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Whitten
[email protected]
+49 1579 2328139
 Carolyn Whitten
[email protected]
+49 1579 2328 139

EXPERTISE
 Organised in developing, leading and accompanying strategic projects
 Skilled at designing and writing reports, assessments, policies and communications materials
 Experienced in training and facilitating groups as well as mentoring individuals
 Adaptable and creative in maximising human resource potential

EDUCATION
2007 - 2008 Master of Science in Global Health (MSc)
Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Thesis: Essential Medicines Procurement - Senegal’s Model
Course work focused on international and public health issues, health research and programming,
emergency humanitarian response, strategic institutional approaches and health system
resilience; thesis research facilitated by the World Health Organization

2000 - 2004 Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (BA)

Tufts University, USA
Communications & Mass Media Minor
Degree conferred with honours in Political Science; studies included a semester at Hong Kong
University in 2003

WORK EXPERIENCE
02/2015 Consultant
Doctors of the World UK, Médicos del Mundo Spain
Berlin, Germany
Designing and delivering a review of 'lessons learned' for the partnership-model Ebola response
project in Moyamba, Sierra Leone.

12/2014 - present Associate Trainer

RedR UK
London, UK
Developing and facilitating training sessions on topics around international aid, including
humanitarian deployment, WASH, health, logistics, communications, international legal
frameworks, protection, security and humanitarian coordination, among others.

11/2014-12/2014 Humanitarian Trainer / Lecturer

Medical Mission Institute / German Red Cross
Würzburg, Germany
Facilitating a pre-deployment training for German aid workers, lecturing on logistics strategy and
the implementation of humanitarian work in an Ebola context

09/2014 - 10/2014 Logistics Manager

Médecins Sans Frontières
Gueckedou & Macenta, Guinea
Managing logistics within the emergency team working to track and manage Ebola cases in a
case management centre and transit facility:
 Ensuring a specialised logistics infrastructure for Ebola project activities
 Setting up an Ebola-specific supply system while building team capacity
03/2014 - 05/2014 Supply Logistics Manager (Mentor)
Médecins Sans Frontières
Bangui, Central African Republic
Mentoring the supply coordination team and Supply Logistics Manager in a period of transition:
 Evaluating and reporting on procedures, indicators and team dynamics at capital level
 Assessing and restructuring the supply team, consolidating responsibilities as well as
clarifying project delivery, reporting and communication lines

08/2011 - 02/2014 International Association Coordinator

MSF International
Geneva, Switzerland
Coordinating multiple strategic international projects, driving policy development and supporting
governance mechanisms during a period of organisational change:
 Coordinating the global network of associations within the MSF governance model
 Managing strategic plans and budgets for international, multi-year projects
 Developing and disseminating internal policies through specific working groups and
committees of the international board, national boards and associative offices
 Mentoring associations to build membership, increase board strength and positioning
 Coordinating the first three assemblies of the highest decision-making body
 Organising the global debate series held in over 50 countries around the world
 Supervising communications and project officers in Geneva and by distance

02/2013 - 05/2013 Supply Specialist

Médecins Sans Frontières
Yangon, Myanmar
Designing and providing an evaluation of supply system efficiency and effectiveness, for the
purpose of building local capacity in support of HIV, TB and emergency response projects:
 Assessing and improving standard supply policies, practices and outputs
 Interviewing and coaching colleagues to build a diverse and resilient team
 Facilitating interactive workshops, cultivating knowledge of supply chain tools, cold
chain and medical stock management, cargo coordination and waste disposal

03/2010 - 03/2011 Supply Logistics Manager

Médecins Sans Frontières
Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
Coordinating the supply system in support of regular and emergency medical programming:
 Monitoring and developing key performance indicators
 Providing guidance in multiple project locations for practical security management
 Harmonising medical forecasting, international ordering and importation procedures
 Ensuring efficient procurement and safe disposal of medicines and materials

10/2009 - 02/2010 Logistics Manager

Médecins Sans Frontières
Agadez, Niger
Managing logistics in a post-emergency project for people displaced by floods:
 Supervising water and sanitation activities, logistics, finance and human resources
 Negotiating with local authorities and suppliers
 Facilitating community health & hygiene meetings at the displaced-persons camp

12/2008 - 07/2009 Fundraising Officer

Médecins Sans Frontières
Dublin, Ireland
Serving as project manager for the transition and development of fundraising infrastructure:
 Managing the transfer of donor processing and multi-stream data to new suppliers
 Leading a successful brand analysis and improving online marketing tools
 Drafting grant proposals for submission to institutional donors
03/2008 - 07/2008 Intern, Technical Cooperation for Essential Drugs and Traditional Medicines
World Health Organization
Geneva, Switzerland
Researching and analysing data within a project to map of medicine procurement policies and
supply systems in selected African countries:
 Drafting a review of updated procurement policies and partner country contributions to
procurement and distribution documentation
 Managing quantitative and qualitative country data and analysing results
 Supporting and participating in on-site stakeholder meetings in Ghana and Senegal
 Specialising in the supply system of Senegal for MSc thesis research

09/2005 - 06/2007 Consultant, Environment Directorate

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
Paris, France
Researching, drafting and supporting the preparation of high-profile environmental policy review
publications involving quantitative and qualitative information:
 Researching policy and practices, analysing country data, drafting and editing texts
 Fostering collaboration, liaising with writers and researchers
 Supporting and attending policy-level meetings as needed

CERTIFICATES
2014 Unrestricted tropical fitness “G35” (Berliner Centrum für Reise- und Tropenmedizin)
2014 UN Advanced Security in the Field (ASITF), UN Department of Safety and Security
2014, 2008 UN Basic Security in the Field (BSITF II), UN Department of Safety and Security
2009 Field Logistics in Emergencies, RedR, UK
2009 Personal Security Awareness Training, United Nations Training School, Ireland

LANGUAGES IT MEMBERSHIPS
English: native speaker Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Amnesty International
French: C2 Powerpoint) Humanitarian Logistics Association
German: A2 Adobe Creative Suite Médecins Sans Frontières Association
Bespoke database programs Reporters Without Borders

PERSONAL INFORMATION REFERENCES

Date of birth: January 2, 1982 Available on request
Place of birth: Worcester, USA
Nationality: USA
Residence: Berlin, Germany

[email protected]
+49 1579 2328 139