Our approach
PSA specializes in strengthening the supply chain workforce’s capacity to improve health and humanitarian logistics. PSA recognizes that supply chains are managed by a diverse workforce—pharmacists, logisticians, supply chain managers, data managers, warehouse staff, transport personnel, and clinical professionals such as doctors and nurses—who contribute to logistics functions without formal training. Unstandardized supply chain training, professional recognition, and defined minimum competency requirements often lead to workforce inefficiencies, skill gaps, and system failures.
We are committed to addressing these challenges by building a competent, motivated, and professionalized supply chain workforce at all levels. Through structured capacity-building interventions, PSA helps governments and organizations develop institutional mechanisms for workforce planning, recruitment, skills, knowledge and competence development; supervision, and retention. See an example of Competency Framework we developed for Ethiopia Pharmaceutical Supplies Agency under the ADMAS Programme: EPSA Competency Framework.
Key areas of our expertise include:
Mapping the Supply Chain Workforce Landscape
We conduct workforce assessments to analyze supply chain staffing, policies, and institutional capacity. Working closely with ministries of health, regulatory bodies, academic institutions, and NGOs, we identify workforce gaps, strengthen job descriptions, define qualifications for supply chain roles, and support governments in embedding professionalized supply chain cadres into national health systems.
Strengthening Training Institutions and Curriculum Development
We collaborate with universities, vocational institutions, and professional training bodies to enhance their capacity to deliver high-quality, accredited supply chain training. This includes:
- Developing and modernizing curricula to incorporate competency-based, experiential learning.
- Building faculty capacity to integrate digital learning tools and simulation-based training.
- Establishing certification programs for supply chain professionals in collaboration with regulatory bodies.
- Facilitating workforce planning to ensure trained personnel are equitably distributed, particularly in rural and underserved regions.
Our work in Nigeria led to the establishment of a supply chain institute at Kaduna State University (KASU), offering degree programs in supply chain management. In Ethiopia, PSA’s collaboration with the Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Supply Agency (EPSA) enabled it to achieve international supply chain certifications, a first in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Professionalizing the Supply Chain Workforce
PSA advocates for formally recognising supply chain management as a professional occupation. This includes:
- Establishing clear career pathways and professional certification standards.
- Supporting regulatory councils in introducing certification requirements and structured career progression.
- Partnering with national training institutions to develop context-specific supply chain competency frameworks.
Through partnerships with global certification bodies such as the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM), PSA ensures that professionals are equipped with internationally recognized qualifications.
Enhancing Leadership and Decision-Making in Supply Chains
Our leadership development programs empower supply chain managers to make data-driven decisions, manage crises effectively, and oversee emergency response logistics. PSA supports ministries and humanitarian agencies in developing strong supply chain governance frameworks.
Examples include:
- Through mentorship-based training, developing supply chain leadership cadres in Kaduna State, Nigeria.
- Training supply chain leaders in Ethiopia to apply international best practices in pharmaceutical logistics.
- Improving Supply Chain Workforce Motivation and Retention
PSA promotes decent working conditions by working with governments to:
- Improve human resource policies around recruitment, performance management, and career progression.
- Design financial and non-financial incentives to improve staff retention.
- Strengthen workplace health and safety measures.
Our research-based approach ensures that motivation strategies are contextually tailored, combining salary structures, performance-based incentives, and professional development opportunities to enhance staff commitment and productivity.
Take a glimpse of some of the Workforce Capacity Development achievements in the Ethiopia Admas Programme: Ethiopia Admas Programme Progress Report 2018-2020.
Why Choose PSA?
PSA is a recognized leader in supply chain workforce development and institutional capacity building, with a strong track record of:
- Developing supply chain training institutions and professionalization initiatives.
- Embedding workforce planning frameworks into national health strategies.
- Strengthening leadership capabilities in humanitarian and public health supply chains.
With a proven track record in Africa, PSA works alongside governments, donors, and global health organizations to ensure that supply chains are managed by competent, motivated, and well-trained professionals, capable of delivering essential medicines and health commodities efficiently and effectively.
We can also assist your organisation by developing HR policies, processes, and procedures tailored to your context to strengthen the HR function Read here how the Ethiopia Pharmaceuticals Supply Agency received support from PSA when they needed induction materials for new starters.
We can assist your organisation by developing HR policies, processes, and procedures tailored to your context to strengthen the workforce capacity.
For more information, contact PSA at info@pamsteele.org