Location: Any MSF Office* (preferably an OC)
Contract: Fixed term at 100% (Maternity leave replacement)
Duration: 12 months, short extension possible*
Deadline to apply: 15.09.2024
Starting date: Nov 2024 – As this is a replacement for maternity leave, flexibility for the start date and duration of contract will be appreciated.
Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing the contract.
*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application.
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 other 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.
POSITION BACKGROUND
The objective of the Pharmacist’s Network is to assure the quality of medicines in MSF projects. The network of pharmacists is mainly composed of pharmacists working in the medical departments of the operational centers (section pharmacists, support/operational pharmacists), pharmacists in European Supply Centers (ESC), pharmacists in the Access Campaign (including a coordinator) and regional/intersectional positions and currently comprises around 70 relevant people.
Coordination of this network is done by the International Pharmacist Coordinator (IPC) who has a permanent position within the International Office.
Main activities of the International Pharmacist Coordinator (in relation to support to operations) are:
- To maintain the coherence of the network (organization, meetings)
- To facilitate that common specifications and procedures are implemented and used in all sections
- To ensure procurement at field level is in accordance with MSF quality and procurement policy
Managing quality assurance is complex, requesting pharmaceutical expertise that is far beyond the capacity of each single section/supply center. That is why the general directors have decided at the end of October 2002 to open a position for a senior pharmacist coordinator. In May 2005, the general directors have decided to maintain this position, and to transform it into a permanent one, from then the network of pharmacist has been progressively set up. Since January 2016 the medical directors have validated subsequent 3-year plans for the Pharmacist Network to confirm and enlarge its objectives to ensure pharmaceutical quality at all levels from the beginning of the medicines life cycle all the way to the patient intake/administration.
PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION
The International Pharmacist Coordinator is under the direct responsibility of the Head of the International Medical Quality of Products and Publications.
(S) He will manage and be in close contact with the Pharmacist Network and particularly the ‘operational pharmacists’ (Section Pharmacists group, support/operational pharmacists and regional/intersectional pharmacists) and also QA pharmacists.
OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION
The general objective is to improve and to ensure the quality assurance of the medicines supply for MSF programmes. This includes several aspects:
- Finalise definition together with the IO and OC teams of the objectives for the 3 year strategic plan and lead their implementation, specifically for 2025.
- Maintain the MSF Quality Assurance System and pursue securing of international procurement through continued implementation by all sections.
- Support securing local purchase where there is no other option or for valid operational reasons.
- Closely liaise with other areas, mainly Supply, to continue supporting joint efforts to improve quality assurance in MSF throughout the full supply chain.
- Maintain collaboration with external partners to improve the quality of medicines at global, international and local level.
To achieve these objectives, the MSF Pharma Network was developed. It is coordinated by the IPC, and supported by a pool of external experts (GMP, bioequivalence, etc.).
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES**
General:
- Participate in the definition of the 2025-2027 Pharma Network Plan of Action, and particularly the 2025 strategic plan, in consultation with the IO QA Pharmacist and the IO Operational Pharmacist, the medical directors and other stakeholders (mainly supply) and taking into account operational needs and priorities.
- Ensure implementation of the priority objectives for 2025.
- Ensure the overall coherence of the work of the different subgroups of pharmacists composing the network.
- Maintain the Pharma Network organisation and coordinate relevant meetings between the network members.
- Ensure the link with other QA coordinators (for Medical Devices and for Specialised Medical Food), together with the Head of the IMQPP.
- Organize internal trainings. Brief/train newcomers on relevant topics according to the profile.
Procurement and supply of quality assured medicines:
- Finalise as needed the MSF QA policy and define next steps in terms of its practical implementation (further package to support discussions within the OCs on a daily basis, facilitate better understanding of role of the RP, etc.), together with the MD and Specialised Food QA coordinators.
- Update and consolidate regularly the MSF Qualification Scheme.
- Coordinate the implementation of the MSF Qualification Scheme in accordance with the MSF QA Policy.
- Overview the UniMeds system further development.
- Lead the priority setting for sourcing from quality perspective taking into account operational and ESCs’ needs.
- Facilitate development, harmonization an update of intersectional quality assurance procedures.
- Plan and coordinate manufacturing site audits, technical visits and monitoring visits, according to priority analysis and budget.
- Coordinate the input of external consultants.
- Ensure documentation is kept centralized.
- Coordinate and support the continued development of UniQuality.
- Support the Regulatory Affairs pharmacists working under the three ESCs on importation requirements (including internal follow up with OCs and externally with WHO PQ).
Deviations from procurement of quality assured medicines (in country drug procurement, with support from Operational Pharmacist under the IPC):
- Ensure coordination and adequate priority setting for section pharmacists/intersectional pharmacists country visits to assess supply strategies and provide where appropriate guidance on local purchase (i.e. importation not possible or for valid operational reasons).
- Overview the finalization of the Pharma Management Guidelines development.
- Overview the UniLocal development, providing technical input linked to UniQuality and Quality Assurance principles when needed.
- Provide guidance and support to OCs in operational blockages linked to importation restrictions and coordinate on negotiations with countries, when needed.
- Follow and regularly evaluate the regional pharmacists currently based in Amman (2), Nairobi and to be confirmed (Kinshasa).
Good pharmaceutical practices
- Work in collaboration with supply and logistics actors to improve pharmacy management.
- Support the Drug QA Coordinator as needed the coordination of management of quality complaints based on agreed procedures.
- Further develop the clinical pharma role frame, after consultation to be conducted end of 2024.
- Support the pharmacovigilance (PV) unit.
Access campaign/APH transition:
- Work in close collaboration with the Access Campaign Pharmacist Coordinator/APH pharma team and manager on quality and pharmaceutical policy related issues and to ensure the link to operational needs and field experience (regular meetings and exchanges, link with the Access Campaign/APH pharmacists).
- Provide input from pharma perspective on pharma objectives in the new APH structure and strategic objectives.
External collaborations/representations:
- Promote the MSF quality assurance of medicines (presentations, articles…).
- Participate to initiatives that share the objectives to improve quality of medicines on the international market, mainly QUAMED, Inter-Agency Pharmacist Group (IAPG).
- Link WHO PQ and with other organizations with similar Quality Assurance systems. Particularly relevant with ICRC and UNICEF in operational contexts.
- In connection with the Access Campaign Pharmacist Coordinator and team, continue lobbying major funding agencies (Global Fund, World Bank, WHO etc.) for continued increased access to quality medicines in the global markets. Particularly closely follow up on the WHO Listed Authorities initiative.
- Represent MSF in international pharma-related forums.
Team leader of the IO Pharma Team:
- Manage the IO Pharmacist team. Closely follow up and support each member ensuring they have what they need to perform their duties.
The IO Pharma team is composed of:
- The Admin/Technical Officer (also working for the two other International QA Coordinators of Medical Devices and Specialized Medical Food)
- The IO Meds QA Coordinator
- The IO Operational Pharmacist
- The TB and Neglected Tropical Diseases focused pharmacist
- The two Pharmacovigilance Officers working in the PV unit
- The four Intersectional Pharmacists located in different regions
- The additional short/term support hired to fulfil specific needs
Other:
- Maintain (and incorporate additions if needed) participation in relevant Steering Platforms led by Supply/Procurement: South Asia, MSF Supply Kenya, SASU, SNEA, LatAm/USIA; Med-Supply platform, etc.
- Maintain the coordination of current on-going platforms: Section Pharma meetings, Resp. Pharmacist, and ad hoc as needed.
- Organize Pharma Network Annual Meeting Q1 2025.
Implementation will be done in coordination with the medical directors and the Head of the International Medical Quality of Products and Publications.
**Key priorities will be discussed in detail with the selected candidate.