Project Pharmacy Manager at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

Objective of the Position:

Defining, coordinating and monitoring all pharmacy related activities in the project area including management of staff, according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures and the mission’s pharmacist and Medical Coordinator’s guidelines, in order to ensure the proper management and supply of drugs and medical devices.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Participating actively in the definition and update of the annual planning and budgets of the pharmacy activities in the project.
• Monitoring closely the stock levels and notifying the Medical Team Leader of items in threat of rupture and identifying solutions to relieve ruptured items.
• Supervising the functioning and organization of the project central pharmacy and decentralized sites, setting the protocols and procedures to be followed by all staff in order to ensure the quality of the service provided to the population, including pharmaco - vigilance in case of need.
• Defining storage, stock management and supply processes, as well as hygiene and security procedures, tools, and protocols (controlling pests and rodents) in order to ensure good storage conditions (temperatures, humidity and light exposure) and the accurate handling of the products and equipment in terms of hygiene and that all hygiene and security procedures are followed in project pharmacies.
• Giving support in the ordering and supply process of medicines and medical devices. Monitoring correct stock management across pharmacies within project area, to guarantee a good control and up to date data of stock levels and avoid expiries, overstocks and stock outs. Reporting on drug consumptions and medical devices dispensed according to protocols, informing on unusual patterns.
• Monitoring closely the expiration dates of the items and coordinating feasible donations to prevent waste.
• Ensuring, in cooperation with the project logistic manager, proper maintenance of cold chain and storage conditions (e.g. humidity, temperature, light exposure, cleanliness, pest and rodent control, etc.), and that classification and organization of medicines and medical material meet MSF protocols.
• Ensuring the collection of data for monitoring and surveillance of optimal quantity quality of medicine use. Supporting activities at service level for effective drug distribution and control, quality prescription (analyzing rational drug use), medicines reconciliation, antibiotic stewardship interventions such as restricted use antibiotic review, follow up of pharmaceutical care plans, patient counseling, good dispensing practices and safe medication practices.
• Supervising, coaching, motivating and evaluating all the pharmacy staff under his/her responsibility, in order to ensure the strict respect for working procedures and protocols. Ensuring that all pharmacy staff uses required clothes and equipment according to protocols, i.e. white coat, gloves, etc.
• To define, if needed, training opportunities for the medical staff.
• Carrying out all the reporting tasks associated to his/her field of action and responsibility, ensuring its consistency and accuracy, in order to support in the relevant decision-making and participating in monthly reports according to guidelines.
• Planning and supervising, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training/induction, evaluation, potential detection, development and communication) of the staff under his/her responsibility in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required. Working closely with MoH pharmacist/ pharmacy team in commodity follow up specifically for reproductive health and report to Med Ref and Mission Pharmacy Manager on potential stock challenges.
• Conducting continuous medical education (CME) to the project medical staff to ensure pharmacy procedures are understood and adhered to and ctively participating in the medical meetings and discussions.
• Evaluating adherence to clinical guidelines, together with the Med Ref and medical teams.
• Ensuring that consumption tallies are done accurately and in a timely manner, trends analyzed (comparing to the actual prescribtions/ patients’ files) and presented to the project medical teams.
• Ensuring all monthly reports are submitted on time and data well analyzed and that Isystock and stock cards are updated.
• Monthly analysis of invoices and follow up of budgets, working closely with the Med Ref and Mission Pharmacy Manager.
• Performing monthly prescription analysis to follow up on consumption trends, prescribing habits, rational medicines use.

Requirements:

Education

• Essential: Degree/Diploma in Pharmacy

Knowledge & Experience

• Essential: Minimum 2 years’ of demonstrated, experience in Pharmacy Management.
• Previous experience with MSF or other NGOs in developing countries desirable.

Languages

• Fluency in English and Swahili.

Competencies

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet), People Management and Development, Commitment to MSF Principles, Behavio