Abrar Alawad

Technical Specialist for Humanitarian Health Supply Chain and Logistics Management , Africa Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (Africa-CDC)

Addis Ababa , Ethiopia

Technical Specialist in Humanitarian Health Supply Chain and Logistics, with over seven years extensive field and institutional experience with Africa CDC HQ and United Nations missions in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Uganda, as well as within national health systems. Proven ability to optimize end-to-end supply chain operations and strengthen health logistics systems.

Contact Abrar Alawad
Area of Expertise:
  • Administration, HR, Management, Accounting/Finance
  • Capacity Building, Training, Advocacy, Political
  • Disaster, Aid, Emergencies, Relief
  • Health, Doctors, Nurses, HIV/AIDS
Professional Experience:

Humanitarian Health Supply Chain Specialist with over seven years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical products, medical supplies, medical equipment, and health product strategic management, as well as emergency health supply chain operations. I bring both technical expertise and operational experience across Africa CDC, United Nations missions, UNHCR, and national health systems, working in complex humanitarian and public health settings.

Currently serving as a Technical Specialist at Africa CDC, I support the implementation of pharmaceutical and health product management systems to ensure the sustained availability, affordability, and quality of essential medicines across Member States. I have led the development of pharmaceutical procurement SOPs, designed procurement and warehouse management systems, strengthened quality assurance frameworks, and implemented demand forecasting models aligned with approved acquisition plans and budgets. My role also includes monitoring substandard and falsified medical products and ensuring supplier compliance with international regulatory standards.

Previously, with United Nations missions and UNHCR in emergency response operations, I managed essential medicines programmes for mission hospitals and refugee health facilities in high-risk environments. My responsibilities included health product budget management, end-to-end supply chain operations, contract compliance, ERP-based procurement processes, cold chain oversight, and the implementation of WHO-aligned donation guidelines. These experiences strengthened my ability to mitigate supply risks, maintain continuity during outbreaks, and optimize resource allocation in constrained funding environments.

My academic background combines advanced training in pharmaceutical sciences and project management. I am currently pursuing a Master of Science in Health Supply Chain Management at Empower School of Health (Switzerland), and I hold a Master’s degree in Pharmacoepidemiology from the University of Bordeaux (France), a Bachelor of Pharmacy with distinction, and a Diploma in Project Management. This multidisciplinary foundation enables me to approach sourcing and health product management strategically, balancing cost efficiency, quality assurance, and public health impact.

I am particularly committed to strengthening health systems and expanding equitable access to life-saving medicines.

Education:

Master of Science in Health Supply Chain Management (ongoing), Empower School of Health, Switzerland — Expected 2026.
Master’s degree in Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance, University of Bordeaux, France — 2023–2025.
Bachelor of Pharmacy (with distinction), Ahfad University for Women — 2012–2018.
Diploma in Health Project Management, Regional Institute for Partnership, Kenya — 2020.

Affiliations and Achievements:

Volunteering Work:
• Member of UN Science Summitt within UN General Assembly 2023-Now.
• Member of EU Africa -Europe Science Innovation Platform 2023- Now.
• Sudanese Pharmacy student federation, Vice president of academic office 2014 -2018
• Global Health Focus Foundation 2016 -2018
• President of Ahfad Pharmacy Students Association 2016-2017
• Youth leadership Program Graduate with UNDP 2020
• Program Graduate from GSP – UN Geneva 2020.

Available for:

  • Consulting assignments
  • Job opportunities
  • Being headhunted – make me an offer

Years of Experience:

5-10 years

Highest Qualification:

Masters

Languages:

English, Arabic (Mother tongue) and French (intermediate level )

Nationality:

Sudan