Central Africa Intersectional Pharmacist

Location: Kinshasa, DRC

Contract: Fixed-term contract at 100%

Duration: 12 months, renewable

Deadline to apply: 30.09.2024

Starting date: ASAP

Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing the contract.

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 27 associations and 18 brunch offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

II. POSITION BACKGROUND

The general objective of this position is to support MSF programs and sections in ensuring MSF quality standards are applied for medical products according to the evolving situation and available information. Focus on DRC, Niger, CAR and Tanzania. Ad hoc support may be requested to Uganda, Burkina Faso and Chad.

III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION

The Intersectional Pharmacist (ISP) is part of the Pharma Team of MSF International, hierarchically and technically linked to the International Pharmacist Coordinator (IPC), it will be the responsibility of the IPC to ensure that the ISP is given appropriate technical back-up, by:

• considering him/her as a member of the Pharma Network
• identifying a technical support from the section pharmacists for each country in scope in addition to the input from Regulatory Affairs pharmacists (RAP)
• sharing with him/her relevant updated information on sources and quality
• providing him/her with any needed information on demand
• ensuring link with Access Campaign pharmacists, European Supply Centers (ESCs) and regional supply hubs, this last one if needed.

Priorities will be set by the IPC in agreement with the section pharmacists based on needs.

The ISP is in close contact and collaboration with the pharma network, especially with the section pharmacists and the RAP and also with the International Quality Assurance Coordinator for Medical Devices and IVDs (IMDC.

The Central Africa ISP is part of the NFOS network (Specialized food), coordinated by the International Food Safety and Quality Coordinator (IFSQ).

For administrative and security management, this position is under DRC MSF OCP/BALI mission.

IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

The intersectional pharmacist will work for all MSF sections; acting as the technical focal person regarding :

• support with local authorities discussion and negotiation, concerning medical products (medicines, and medical devices/IVD) and specialised food (NFOS)
• coordinate between the different OCs s, in order to assure intersectional coherence and cooperation.

The ISP is not supposed to replace or be the back-up of national pharmacist during holidays, each section must manage this situation by itself.

V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

General Objectives:

• To ensure that all sections implement the same importation and medical supply rules in accordance with MSF Quality Assurance and medical strategies.
• To support the Country Pharmacists /MedCos and HoMs representing MSF to the authorities on medical products issues by means of lobbying and negotiation for a consistent and coordinated response, on behalf of all sections.
• For medical products, to collect data on the quality of the local market and help advising the Missions and Section Pharmacists on local purchase when importation is banned or in case of emergency. For specialised food this applies when use of products validated by International office is not possible or in case of emergency.
• To develop local contacts and liaise with other NGOs, UN agencies and local organizations concerning quality/availability of essential medicines proactively, ensuring confidentiality of data generated by MSF regarding the quality of local suppliers.
• To lead negotiations with the governmental entities to prioritise access to quality medicines for MSF projects, which is ensured through importation via MSF ESCs.
• To ensure that all medical coordinators, country pharmacists, pharmacist coordinators, supply coordinators, section pharmacists are updated on the national medical product regulations.
• To act as the focal person with local authorities, MSF ESCs, and MSF Regulatory Affairs Pharmacists concerning medical products issues to ensure intersectional coherence and cooperation.
• To support the missions in collaboration with the Access Campaign and the disease focused pharmacists in getting access to new or non-registered treatments for MSF projects.

Specific Objectives:

a) Regularly update information on medical products legislation, in particular importation and pharmacy warehouse registration and inform section pharmacists, medical coordinators and pharmacist coordinators accordingly:

• Coordinate regular meetings with the mission pharmacists/medical coordinators/supply officers where information is exchanged, and problems shared to find common solutions.
• Follow up the National Essential Medicines List updates and if required advocate for change or discuss therapeutic specificities, in collaboration with the medical coordinators.
• Follow up the National List of Medical Devices and IVDs updates if applicable
• Update of the Country Constraints sheets at the RA SharePoint + CSP tool, together with the different FPs.
• Follow up on NFOS regulations in the countries within scope, including mapping of importation requirements, quality alerts and recalls, etc.

b) Ensure all the changes in importation procedures are communicated to MSF ESCs, section pharmacists, IPC, IMDQAC, IFSC and MSF regulatory affairs pharmacists when relevant in a timely manner, with the involvement of the Supply team:

• Liaise with ESC pharmacists as required to request specific technical support for importation.
• Regularly communicate to MSF ESCs and operations updates and changes in the national guidelines, particularly info and regulations linked to medical products importation.
• Update the ESCs & Ops regarding the lobbying efforts and document the problems encountered with importation for all the sections.

c) Local medical procurement (if local procurement is the only option for some products):

• Follow up pharmacy license and MD licence if applicable for storage and purchase, including inspection of premises/ cargoes by the authorities.
• Support if needed the ESCs and OC with the procurement of NFOS from local approved manufacturers and distributors.
• Conduct local distributor assessment visits in accordance with MSF local market assessment guidelines and with approval (and final conclusion) given by the SP, with the support of the IMDC or IFSC when relevant
• Work with all the sections to undergo pooled procurement (if agreed upon).

d) Focal person representing MSF towards the authorities on medical products issues, and ensure coherent and consistent communication with authorities (the “one MSF” approach):

• Lead negotiations with the governmental entities to prioritise importation and access to quality medicines by MSF projects.
• Participate to meetings related to pharmacy regulations, or food safety regulations (when needed)
• If needed, provide technical support for the creation of document(s) to address the importation issues with local authorities.

e) Technical pharmacy support for medical managers:

• Support supply officers, mission pharmacists/pharmacy managers and medical coordinators in training and advice in various topics related to medical product importation.
• Brief all new Medical Coordinators, Log Coordinators and Country Pharmacists on the country-specific import requirements and the role of the ISP.

f) Act as the focal point for quality complaints, recalls, alerts and pharmacovigilance SAEs for all medicines, medical devices/IVD and specialised food:

• Provide support for quality alerts/batch recalls relating to medicines, medical devices/IVD and specialised food (in liaison with the IPC, IMDQAC and ISFQC).
• Coordinate info related to complaints received regarding medicines, medical devices/IVD and specialised food.

REPORTING

• Submit monthly activity reports to be shared with all section medical and logistic coordinators, SPs, regulatory affairs pharmacist and IPC.
• Coordinate the monthly pharmacists’ meetings.
• Attend MSF medical coordinator meetings held between all sections, when requested.
• Participate to external meetings such as the Health Cluster and other NGO forums.
• Participation in SP visit(s) and assist in preparing them.
• Provide a final hand-over report for all the sections with recommendations.

• Degree in Pharmacy.
• Experience: more than 3 years professional experience, including experience in developing countries with MSF or similar international organizations.
• Experience with quality assurance, GSDP and manufacturing aspects of pharmaceutical products desirable.

Specific Requirements:

• Fluency in English and French mandatory.
• Mature with strong interpersonal and organizational skills.
• Ability to work and report independently.
• Able to represent MSF with the capacity to negotiate positively and diplomatically with MoH officials and MSF national and expatriate staff.
• Excellent communication and diplomatic skills.
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment.
• Good organization and management skills.
• Professionalism, transparency and flexibility a must.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Skilled in coaching, training and supporting pharmacist/medical supply personnel.
• Regular travel within the countries of scope is required.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

At MSF, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We welcome applications from individuals of all genders, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, races, religions, beliefs, ability status, and all other diversity characteristics.