Assistant Technical Officer, Pharmacy

Job Posting Organization:
FHI 360 is a nonprofit organization that has been working in Nigeria for over 30 years, focusing on improving health and nutrition services. The organization has responded to the humanitarian crisis in Northeast Nigeria for five years, providing essential support to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host communities. FHI 360 is committed to safeguarding vulnerable populations and ensuring a safe environment for all employees and beneficiaries. The organization operates in multiple countries and employs a diverse workforce dedicated to making a positive impact in the communities they serve.

Job Overview:
The Assistant Technical Officer - Pharmacy will play a crucial role in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Northeast Nigeria by preparing and dispensing medications, managing the supply chain of health commodities, and ensuring high-quality patient care. This position requires collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to provide essential health services to vulnerable populations. The ATO will be responsible for interpreting physician orders, compounding medications, and maintaining accurate records of drug inventory. The role also involves conducting quality control audits and ensuring compliance with relevant health regulations and standards.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The ATO - Pharmacy will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Working as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality patient care to vulnerable populations.
• Conducting inspections as mandated by the Poisons and Pharmacist’s Act and other relevant legislation.
• Dispensing prescribed medications to both inpatients and outpatients while providing accurate medication advice.
• Maintaining inventory records and ensuring proper storage of medications.
• Collaborating with supervisors to align morbidity data with consumption reports to prevent misuse.
• Preparing extemporaneous medicaments such as mixtures, lotions, ointments, and syrups.
• Providing technical information and advice to other health professionals.
• Participating in routine quality control audits of all drugs in stock.
• Coordinating logistics for the forward and reverse movement of drugs and medical commodities. 1
• Compiling and submitting periodic reports on drug usage and inventory. 1
• Ensuring adherence to infection prevention and control standards. 1
• Performing any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and have at least 1-3 years of relevant post-NYSC experience. A valid practicing license as a registered pharmacist is mandatory. Additional qualifications in public health or related fields from recognized institutions are advantageous. Familiarity with Nigerian public health systems, NGOs, and CBOs is highly desirable, as is previous experience in a humanitarian crisis setting.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. Candidates should have completed their NYSC (National Youth Service Corps) and possess a valid practicing license as a registered pharmacist. Additional certifications in public health or related fields are considered a plus.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have 1-3 years of relevant experience in pharmacy practice, particularly in managing health commodity logistics and information systems. Experience in a humanitarian crisis context is highly desirable, as is familiarity with the Nigerian public health sector.

Languages:
Proficiency in written and spoken English is mandatory, along with strong communication skills. Knowledge of Hausa is required, and understanding the Kanuri language is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Damasak, Borno State, Nigeria. FHI 360 is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to safeguarding principles. The organization offers a competitive benefits package and emphasizes professional development and work/life balance. All employment offers are subject to screening checks, including reference and criminal record checks.