Country Pharmacist

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Position Title: Country Pharmacist
Location: Kabul, Kandahar, Uruzgan, Zabul
Country: Afghanistan
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that has been operational in Afghanistan since 200

• The organization focuses on assisting victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts, and social exclusion. Its mission is rooted in principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity, and coexistence, with a particular emphasis on vulnerable populations. INTERSOS has a country office in Kabul and field bases in Kandahar and Zabul provinces, and it has been actively engaged in providing humanitarian assistance to those in need, especially in hard-to-reach areas. The organization has a strong community acceptance and operational access, allowing it to implement its activities without restrictions, including the full inclusion of female staff. Given the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, INTERSOS is committed to scaling up its response to meet urgent humanitarian needs.

Job Overview:
The Country Pharmacist position is critical for ensuring the proper management of pharmaceutical operations within INTERSOS. The role involves overseeing the procurement, storage, distribution, inventory, and consumption of medical materials, equipment, and drugs at both the central and project levels. The pharmacist will work closely with the logistics department to monitor pharmacy and medical warehouse activities, ensuring that stock levels are maintained above security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security thresholds and that all storage conditions meet required standards. The pharmacist will also collaborate with the coordinator" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Medical Coordinator and HQ to implement pharmaceutical standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure compliance with national regulations, particularly regarding narcotic and psychoactive medicines. This position requires a proactive approach to managing the supply chain, conducting needs assessments, and optimizing the consumption of health consumables and medicines. The pharmacist will also be involved in training pharmacy staff and contributing to the overall capacity building of the pharmacy team.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Country Pharmacist will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including:

• Collaborating with the logistics department to ensure proper storage, stock management, and supply processes, while implementing hygiene and security procedures.
• Ensuring compliance with pharmaceutical SOPs and national legislation regarding drug management.
• Supporting the Deputy Medical Coordinator in adhering to policies for the donation of medical items.
• Overseeing the medical procurement process, including placing orders and monitoring purchases.
• Conducting needs assessments and participating in local market inspections for procurement.
• Analyzing data related to drug consumption and optimizing management practices.
• Participating in coordination meetings and contributing to donor reports and proposals.
• Ensuring accurate data entry into pharmacy management software.
• Supporting the recruitment and training of pharmacy team members. 1
• Evaluating the performance of pharmacy staff and ensuring proper documentation and reporting of pharmacy activities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences or Pharmacy. Additionally, they should have a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in a hospital or health facility setting. Experience in medical emergency response projects with international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) is highly desirable. Essential computer literacy, including proficiency in Word, Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, and internet usage, is required. Strong organizational and communication skills, along with a results-oriented mindset, are essential for success in this role.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is a degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences or Pharmacy. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of pharmaceutical management and ensuring compliance with health regulations.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of professional experience in a hospital or health facility setup. Candidates with experience in medical emergency response projects, particularly with international non-governmental organizations, will be given preference. This level of experience is necessary to effectively manage the pharmaceutical operations and respond to the challenges faced in the humanitarian context of Afghanistan.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is mandatory for this position. This proficiency is essential for effective communication within the organization and with external stakeholders. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is six months, starting from February 10, 202

• The duty station is Kabul, which is classified as a non-family duty station, indicating that the position may involve challenges related to living conditions. The role requires frequent travel to other field locations, including Kandahar, Uruzgan, and Zabul. Candidates should be prepared for the possibility of working in remote areas and should possess the ability and willingness to travel as needed. The recruitment process is open to both national and international candidates, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.