PATRICK GAPARAYI
Dakar, Senegal
Summary
Strategic and results-driven global public health leader with over 20 years of progressive experience across Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs), particularly in Africa. Specialized in health systems strengthening, RMNCH commodity security, public health supply chains, and humanitarian response systems. Proven track record in collaborating with global multilaterals including the World Bank, GAVI, Global Fund, UNICEF, and WHO. Demonstrated success in leading regional and country-level health programs, supporting Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals, and advising on health policy, financing, and regulatory reforms.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Advisor (P5), Supply Chain Management & Team Lead
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Dakar
03.2023 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership and technical assistance to 23 country offices, driving sustainable supply chain systems for RMNCH commodities within UHC frameworks.
- Co-led national investment cases under the Global Financing Facility (GFF) and supported the mobilization of $30M from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to strengthen RMNCH supply chain systems in Nigeria and Niger.
- Fostered regional partnerships with the World Bank, GAVI, Global Fund, WHO, UNICEF, and BMGF to advance supply chain agendas.
- Spearheaded digital visibility platforms in fragile contexts, increasing stockout reporting rates by 60%.
- Supervise a regional technical team and conduct capacity-building workshops, enhancing national quantification and forecasting capabilities.
Supply Chain Manager (P4), Country Engagement and Policy
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Copenhagen
10.2019 - 03.2023
- Supported over 30 countries in strengthening public health supply chains aligned with SDGs and UHC.
- Technical lead for GAVI/Global Fund engagements, aligning $300M+ investments with national priorities.
- Co-led UNICEF’s COVID-19 vaccine supply readiness sub-group, expanding cold chain capacity across 20+ countries.
- Advised on national eLMIS institutionalization, leading to a 35% improvement in real-time supply chain data use.
Country Director, GHSC-PSM Project
Chemonics International (USAID-funded)
Yaoundé
09.2016 - 10.2019
- Provided technical and managerial leadership for the implementation of the GHSC-PSM project in Cameroon, focusing on strengthening national supply chain systems for essential medicines, HIV/AIDS, malaria, and RMNCH commodities.
- Led collaboration with the Ministry of Health to develop and implement national supply chain strategic plans and capacity-building initiatives.
- Supported the rollout of an integrated logistics management information system (LMIS) to enhance data visibility and informed decision-making.
- Managed a multidisciplinary technical team and ensured compliance with USAID regulations and performance indicators.
Country Project Director, SIAPS Project
Management Sciences for Health (USAID-funded)
Luanda
11.2015 - 10.2016
- Provided technical leadership for the Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) project, focusing on pharmaceutical governance and supply chain system strengthening.
- Supported revision and operationalization of Angola’s Essential Medicines List and national treatment guidelines.
- Guided the Ministry of Health in the development of pharmaceutical sector strategic frameworks and human resource capacity building initiatives.
- Enhanced operational efficiency at the national medical warehouse through process optimization and inventory control measures.
Country Project Director / Deputy Country Director
Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
Luanda
11.2012 - 10.2015
- Designed Angola's first National Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Strategy.
- Mobilized $6M emergency funding to mitigate supply chain disruptions during humanitarian crises.
- Acted as interim Country Director, ensuring 100% program delivery and donor compliance.
Senior Technical Advisor, SPS Project
Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
Kigali
01.2007 - 01.2012
- Led the development and national rollout of Rwanda’s pharmacovigilance system and revised the Essential Medicines List in alignment with WHO standards.
- Provided technical assistance to the Ministry of Health in strengthening HIV/AIDS logistics systems, improving ART commodity security by 40%.
- Delivered surge support to MSH programs in Afghanistan and DRC by leading the establishment and operationalization of Drug and Therapeutics Committees (DTCs) at national and regional levels.
- Provided emergency surge support to Burundi to expedite the implementation of malaria commodity management under the SPS project, resulting in a threefold increase in project funding and extension of project duration.
- Facilitated cross-country learning exchanges, introducing best practices in supply chain management and regulatory system strengthening.
HIV/AIDS Supply Chain Analyst
Ministry of Health
Kigali
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Developed and implemented national forecasting tools for HIV/AIDS commodities, enhancing Global Fund grant applications.
- Integrated key logistics indicators into the national LMIS to strengthen data visibility and decision-making.
- Led quarterly pipeline monitoring and procurement planning sessions, improving supply chain responsiveness.
- Provided training and mentorship to district health offices on HIV/AIDS commodity management and reporting.
Pharmacist and Procurement Manager
KIPHARMA Ltd
Kigali
01.2004 - 01.2006
- Led procurement of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and hospital equipment for national distribution.
- Oversaw inventory management and warehousing operations, implementing procedures that reduced wastage by 30%.
- Optimized customs clearance and logistics processes, expediting importation timelines.
- Developed procurement strategies to meet public and private sector client needs, contributing to a 20% increase in annual turnover.
Education
Master's - International Affairs and Diplomacy
Open University of Catalonia & UNITAR
Mini-Master's - Global Supply Chain Management
Arizona State University
Postgraduate Certificate - Strategic Human Resource Management
University of Roehampton
Master's - Health Economics and Pharmacoeconomics
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honors) -
University of Rwanda
Skills
- RMNCH Commodity Security and Investment Cases
- Health Systems Strengthening and Pharmaceutical Sector Reform
- Public Health Supply Chain Strategy and Optimization
- Forecasting
- Quantification
- ELMIS Implementation
- Global Health Financing and Donor Coordination
- Policy Advocacy and Strategic Communication
- Humanitarian Supply Chain Operations and Emergency Preparedness
- Data-Driven Program Management
- M&E
- Technical Assistance
- Capacity Building
- Cross-Sectoral Partnership Building
- Strategic Leadership
Affiliations
- International Health Economists Association (iHEA)
- International Association of Public Health Logisticians (IAPHL)
- Technical Working Group on Health Supply Chain Workforce Development (PtD)
- Former Vice President, Rwanda Pharmacists Association
Certification
- Procurement of Health Commodities (World Bank)
- Advanced Pharmaceutical Logistics and Supply Chain Optimization (MSH)
- Supply Chain Leadership Development Program (USAID)
- Pharmacovigilance Systems Strengthening (WHO/MSH)
- Leadership for Health (MSH)
Languages
KINYARWANDA
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
French
Proficient (C2)
C2
Portuguese
Advanced (C1)
C1
Spanish
Intermediate (B1)
B1
Timeline
Regional Advisor (P5), Supply Chain Management & Team Lead
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
03.2023 - Current
Supply Chain Manager (P4), Country Engagement and Policy
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
10.2019 - 03.2023
Country Director, GHSC-PSM Project
Chemonics International (USAID-funded)
09.2016 - 10.2019
Country Project Director, SIAPS Project
Management Sciences for Health (USAID-funded)
11.2015 - 10.2016
Country Project Director / Deputy Country Director
Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
11.2012 - 10.2015
Senior Technical Advisor, SPS Project
Management Sciences for Health (MSH)
01.2007 - 01.2012
HIV/AIDS Supply Chain Analyst
Ministry of Health
01.2006 - 01.2007
Pharmacist and Procurement Manager
KIPHARMA Ltd
01.2004 - 01.2006
Master's - International Affairs and Diplomacy
Open University of Catalonia & UNITAR
Mini-Master's - Global Supply Chain Management
Arizona State University
Postgraduate Certificate - Strategic Human Resource Management
University of Roehampton
Master's - Health Economics and Pharmacoeconomics
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honors) -
University of Rwanda
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