Regional Pharmacist Southern Africa (m/f/d) – MSF Belgium – Mozambique

CONTEXT

In mid-2019, the MSF Operational Center Brussels (OCB) launched a reform to give projects more autonomy. Missions in southern Africa (Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa) were selected as the first pilot project and an innovative and transformative approach was implemented in the region in 2020.

This unique structure promotes increased responsibility and competence at project level by changing the responsibility of today’s national coordination teams, which will become needs-based Country Support Teams (CST). A Regional Support Team (RST) has been established as the first point of contact for the strategic projects. The RST reports directly to the OCB Director of Operations.

This will give the strategic positions within the project, the Project Operational Officer (POR) and the Project Medical Officer (PMR), a new character as the main responsible for the success of the interventions. They will be responsible for ensuring that decisions are made through consultation and consent and that they are made as close as possible to the beneficiaries and communities.

The justification of the position of Regional Pharmacist Southern Africa is to support MSF’s programmes and departments in the supply of medical products by ensuring that MSF’s quality standards are applied according to the situation and available information in the Southern African region.

The focus of this position is on Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa, but may include other countries in Southern Africa if required.

This position is hierarchically and technically linked to the OCB section pharmacist (technical manager) and the regional medical team leader (line manager).

As Regional pharmacistYou will be a member of the RST7, the OCB Pharmacy Unit and the MSF International Pharmacy Network and will work closely with the OCB Supply Unit and Regulatory Affairs pharmacists. For administration and safety management, you will report to the Regional Medical Team Leader. The OCB Department Pharmacist will be responsible for ensuring that you receive the appropriate technical support through:

• We consider you as a member of the quality and operational circles of the OCB Pharma Unit. We act as regular technical support
• Sharing relevant current information on sources and quality
• Provision of all required information upon request
• Ensuring links with the Advocacy and Access Campaign in Southern Africa, the European Supply Centers (ESC) and SASU (Southern Africa Supply Unit)

MAIN TASKS

You will support the missions by addressing specific healthcare issues with all relevant departments in difficult countries where access to quality medicines for MSF projects is compromised. This includes advising, supporting and facilitating communication between the pharmaceutical side and the projects in the country, as well as coordinating with department pharmacists.

In addition, you will support the various projects in Southern Africa where MSF works by solving operational pharmaceutical problems with all relevant departments (medical, supplies, logistics, finance, human resources).

• Responsible for facilitating all pharmacy-related operational activities within RST7 and supporting project pharmacists in carrying out their duties and complying with OCB pharmacy standards. Acts as a focal point for quality and pharmacovigilance issues in RST7 countries
• Gain a better knowledge of the legal framework and market for pharmaceuticals, medical devices and therapeutic foods in the respective context (analysis of registered medicinal products, main pharmaceutical and medical device companies, etc.) as well as the regulatory framework and potential constraints.
• Advice and (re-)assessment of the relevance of procurement strategies, taking into account the developments of the MSF programme in the countries, quality and legal and administrative issues
• Work closely with the OCB regional procurement manager to synchronize the pharmaceutical component in the regional procurement strategy
• Ensure that procurement strategies approved by the Medical Department at headquarters are followed and implemented by the teams in each country
• Supporting country pharmacists, medical coordinators/country medical representatives (CMR), heads of mission/country representatives in representing MSF to the authorities on pharmaceutical issues through lobbying and negotiating for a unified and coordinated response
• For countries where local sourcing is required: Conduct a local market assessment (distributors only) according to the pharmacist’s requirements. The local market assessment (LMA) is validated by the pharmacist (manufacturers are only assessed together with the pharmacist).
• Maintain and update the Country Restriction Sheets and CSP Geo-App tool together with the various Country Pharma contacts.

REQUIREMENTS

Education & Experience

• Pharmacist with degree/diploma in pharmacy
• At least 3 years of professional experience at MSF
• Experience with quality assurance, good distribution and storage practices and manufacturing aspects of pharmaceutical products desirable

Competencies and skills

• Intercultural awareness
• Strategic Vision
• Participatory leadership
• Networking and relationship building
• Teamwork and collaboration
• Coaching or mentoring skills are an advantage

Languages:

• Fluent English is mandatory
• Portuguese, Spanish or Italian are an advantage

CONDITIONS

• Expected start date: as soon as possible
• Location: based in Maputo, Mozambique
• For frequent stays in the region, a mobility of approximately 50% is required
• Contract type: fixed-term (full-time)
• Contract term: 12 months
• Grade according to the MSF-OCB field grade scale; The contract conditions and salary will depend on the official residence of the selected candidate and will be in line with MSF’s standard job and salary scales.
• Marital status is possible
• Adhere to MSF principles and our management values: respect, transparency, integrity, accountability, trust and empowerment
• Adhere to MSF’s code of conduct