Vacancy Announcement for Technical Advisor Pharmacist

Vacancy Announcement for Technical Advisor Pharmacist – SPARS

Overall Responsibilities:

The goal of the global five-year USAID Medicines, Technologies and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program is to help low- and middle-income countries to strengthen their pharmaceutical systems to ensure sustainable access to and appropriate use of safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable essential medicines and pharmaceutical services. MTaPS, implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and partners, will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) and the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) including other relevant implementing agencies to strengthen pharmaceutical systems including pharmaceutical sector governance, good pharmacy practices, regulatory systems, pharmaceutical management information systems, and improve patient-centered pharmaceutical services.

Technical Advisor – Supervision, Performance Assessment, Recognition Strategy (SPARS) (TA-SPARS) will under the leadership of the Country Program Director (CPD) support the implementation of the SPARS strategy in selected districts to build capacity in good pharmacy practices and medicines management in government health facilities. The TA-SPARS will in close collaboration with the selected districts detail and implement piloting the strategy including capacitation and equipping the selected medicines management supervisors and developing the recognition strategy and the monitoring and reporting system aimed at impact assessment.

Key Performance Areas

Technical Support (50%)

Finalize and describe the SPARS intervention strategy for strengthening medicines management / Good Pharmacy Practice (GPP) at district level in collaboration with the DOHS/ MOHP
Design the intervention assessment design and selection of districts
Finalize implementation plan for intervention strategy SPARS pilot in selected districts
Develop best practices guidelines (SOP) in stock and storage management ordering and reporting, prescribing and dispensing practices for facility level
Develop SPARS tool and monitoring and reporting platform
Develop recognition strategy and procure recognitions
Equip Medicines management supervisors
The overall task is to Implement SPARS
Develop facility and district reporting and report findings quarterly and as required
Assess and present impact of SPARS
Contribute to the adequate documentation and dissemination of program results and lessons learned, including the development and submission of project’s mandatory reports, technical documents and reports; and abstracts and articles for scientific journals and conferences.

Capacity Building (30%)

Identify training institution(s) for medicines management training
Develop MMS training material, trainee and trainer guides
In collaboration with University or training institution train MMS from the districts
Identify contractor and implement safe driving training
Implement PC training, data entry and reporting
Develop training to strengthen mentoring skills and to increase interrater reliability

Coordination and management (20%)

Present strategy and build consensus to the SPARS at DOHS and in selected districts, sign memorandum of understanding and guide on medicines management supervisors (MMS) selection
Organise district meetings and meetings with the MMS
Communicate and follow up with MMS and assess performance
Manage SPARS implementation in close collaboration with the CPD
Work closely with the MTaPS Nepal Management Team and the Finance and Administration Manager to develop and monitor appropriate/adequate budgets to support relevant technical activities.
Report regularly to the CPD on progress/results achieved in technical work plans and barriers encountered, and resolve any challenges faced.
Represent the program at various technical meetings with other cooperating agencies and participate in various working groups as required, including making technical presentations on key activities and achievements of assigned areas as needed.
Maintain close liaison and coordination with senior officials in the MOHP, DOHS, District and provincial health officials and other key, to ensure SPARS is carried out with their active participation for building ownership.
Work closely with other MTaPS team members to ensure technical work plans are being implemented in a timely and technically sound manner, and productively leverage collaboration with key government and other stakeholders and partners

REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION

Required:

Master of Pharmacy with 4 years of experience in pharmaceutical management

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

Required:

At least four years of relevant experience in areas of pharmaceuticals, medicines management, supply chain and good pharmacy practices and hands on experience in capacity building and training implementation
Considerable experience in the development of training material, organizing and implementing training events and experienced in the use of various capacity building methods and approaches.
Experience in stock and storage management, ordering and reporting, and dispensing and prescribing of medicines
Strong managerial and planning experience

Preferred:

Experience in supervision and or mentoring health professionals
Experience in data collection, data analysis and report writing.
Experience working with management information systems

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Understanding of the government pharmaceutical sectors supply chain in Nepal.
Knowledge about health care provision at decentralized levels
Strong people skills with the ability to develop others and to impart knowledge and experience in clear and respectful manner according to the stakeholder needs.
Mentoring, training, and coaching abilities.
Ability to design and conduct knowledge & skill-building workshops and trainings. Facilitation and training skills.
Strong networking, collaboration, and advocacy skills.
Strong analytical and research skills preferred.
Ability to write and prepare training reports, training materials, documents, and presentations. The TA-SPARS must be strong and experienced in development of training material, implementing training, and assessing impact.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Nepali are essential.
Demonstrated intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and organize meetings and trainings

COMPETENCIES

Ability to work independently and effectively in a team.
Good judgment for decision making.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability in consensus building and constructively leading a team.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Travel requirements up to 60% within the province and to Kathmandu
Keyboard use, pulling drawers, lifting papers <10 lbs., etc.

MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status. In compliance with U.S. Department of Labor Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, MSH has developed and maintains an affirmative action program and plan.

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