Pharmacy Officer

Main Purpose

According to Country Pharmacist/ (or, in its absence) Deputy Medical Coordinator's indications ensure general functioning of the INTERSOS pharmacy in order to ensure its efficiency and operating availability, the proper management of medical stock in the projects, and the correct use of medicines and medical materials in line with INTERSOS guidelines and values and national and international regulations.
In collaboration with the Logistics department, execute the pharmacy/medical warehouse storing activities in order to keep pharmacy stock above security level and following recommended conditions (temperature, humidity, etc.).

Reporting to: 

Hierarchical: Programme Medical Referent
Functional: Country Pharmacist

Tasks

• Support the Country Pharmacist in representing and defending INTERSOS’s interests before the Ministry of Health and other local authorities or local suppliers for any issue concerning pharmaceutical supply, in order to ensure stock procurement in the projects. Ensure a close follow-up of the national drug supply particularly in projects where INTERSOS is working in conjunction with the Ministry of Health. Collaborate in budgeting and preparing drugs and other medical material orders together with the Country Pharmacist 
• Support the running of the pharmacies across the mission, ensuring the proper implementation of INTERSOS SOP and waste management protocols, and national and international legislation, in order to ensure the quality of the service given to the population and the accurate handling of drugs and products, including its proper disposal, in terms of hygiene and security. In case of integration of medical stock under the supply, is closely involved in the medical warehouse as regards procedures, operations, and stock management (but not direct supervision of same). Support the Country Pharmacist regarding the follow-up of emergency preparedness planning and maintenance of medical emergency kits 
• Support and participate in all drug and medical material supply processes and ensure its overall efficiency and effectiveness. Regularly perform technical visits to project sites to ensure appropriate follow up of activities and management of field pharmacies; collect and analyse stock indicators according to physical records and logistics across different projects and together with the Country Pharmacist taking corrective decisions when necessary and providing technical pharmacy support
• Facilitate correct stock management, transport and storage procedures, in order to ensure the availability of stock in all projects and avoid expiries/overstocks and stock-outs. Ensure that all inventories of drugs and medical devices are updated. In close collaboration with logistics department supervise storage conditions (e.g. humidity, temperature, light exposure, cleanliness, pest and rodents control, stock security, maintenance of cold chain, etc.), classification, organization and inventory, in order to guarantee the quality of the medicines and other medical materials and prevent damage, financial losses generated by expired items, deterioration and robbery. Is responsible for the follow-up of loans/donations and management of expired medications according to INTERSOS procedures (and national legislation in case of expired drugs) 
• Ensure the collection of data for monitoring and surveillance of optimal quantity and quality of medicine use. Support activities at service level for effective drug distribution and control, quality prescription (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, Maintain the hard documents of all information of the consumables, equipment and medicines. In collaboration with the medical department monitor the epidemiological data based on the consumption and distribution of goods. Receive and organize all the soft data related to the consumption, distribution, inventory, relevant procurements on excel DB and IMS. Ensure IMS updated before any stock movement 
• Support and monitor the procurement process from the need assessment to reception, and take corrective measures when needed, ensuring regular communication with Medical, Logistics, HR and Finance departments regarding medical supply and pharmacy management. Support the Country Pharmacist in order to ensure local medical purchases are made from approved sources 
• Is responsible for the good maintenance of all drugs and equipment in the pharmacies and the appropriate storage and management of supply of narcotic and psychotropic medication with respect to national legislation, permitting traceability for these specific products 
• Manage the First Aid stock in the office or GH and Post Exposure Prophylaxis Kits. Inform the Country Pharmacist in case of irrational consumption 
• Ensure compliance to good practices 
• Ensure full cooperation in periodic and extraordinary stock checks at warehouse and distribution sites as per INTERSOS protocols 
• Ensure pharmacovigilance including the immediate report of any problem with the quality of drugs in accordance with INTERSOS pharmaceutical management procedures 
• Participate in reporting according to INTERSOS SOP, guidelines and report on drug consumption and medical devices dispensed according to protocols, informing on unusual patterns. Is responsible the immediate reporting to the hierarchy in the event of a loss of drugs or medical equipment

Requirements

Education 

• Pharmacy degree (or equivalent 4-5 years diploma according to the country of origin of the pharmacist) 
• Desirable previous experience with NGOs in developing countries

Professional experience 

• Minimum 2 years experience in (hospital) pharmacy management 
• Desirable previous experience with NGOs in developing countries

Professional requirements 

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet) 
• Experience in management

Personal requirements 

• Strategic vision 
• Leadership and planning 
• People management and development 
• Teamwork and Cooperation 
• Behavioural flexibility 
• Independence, initiative, pro-activeness 
• Results and quality orientation 
• Commitment to INTERSOS principles 

Languages 

• Mission language is essential. Local working language desirable 
• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet)