KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the fight against tuberculosis (TB), still the most deadly infectious disease in the world.
KNCV is an international center of expertise for TB control that promotes effective, efficient, innovative and sustainable tuberculosis control strategies in a national and international context. We are an organization of passionate TB professionals, including doctors, researchers, training experts, nurses and epidemiologists. We aim to stop the spread of the worldwide epidemic of TB and to prevent the further spread of drug-resistant TB.
Over the past century we have built up a wealth of knowledge and expertise, initially by successfully controlling TB in the Netherlands. Since the 1970s, we have also shared our knowledge and expertise with the rest of the world. We operate from a central office in The Hague in the Netherlands, a regional office in Central Asia and country offices worldwide. KNCV raises funds from private, institutional, corporate, and government donors.
Background
PhArmaco Vigilance Africa (PAVIA) project aims to strengthen pharmacovigilance (PV) in four African countries: Ethiopia, Nigeria, Swaziland and Tanzania. It is funded by the European-Developing Countries Clinical Trials Platform (EDCTP), a funding mechanism under the EU’s Horizon 2020 research program. PAVIA is a so-called Coordination and Support Mechanism, aimed at improving responsible uptake of new drugs and vaccines by strengthening local capacity for pharmacovigilance (PV), i.e. for recognizing, reporting, and acting on untoward effects of such products.
PAVIA’s activities focus on one area where important improvements can be made: the cooperation and linkage between countries’ regulatory authorities responsible for PV and infectious disease control programs responsible for introduction of new drugs and vaccines for poverty related diseases. PAVIA will have its initial focus on the introduction of new drugs and treatment regimens for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) by the national tuberculosis programs (NTPs). Active drug safety monitoring and management (aDSM) is introduced as an integral part of new DR-TB drugs and regimens.
Purpose of the position
KNCV is a recipient of EDCTP grant for the implementation of PAVIA project. Currently KNCV is looking for a PV coordinator who is responsible for the coordination of PAVIA project activities implementation in Ethiopia by creating linkages with FMHACA/PV Center, Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI), FMOH/ the national TB program/ and PV data collection centers. You will be expected to initiate and co-ordinate PAVIA activities in-country, from baseline to end of project assessments as per protocol, duly aligned and in consonance with the framework set for the entire project and as it applies to other participating countries The PV coordinator will initiate and coordinate all activities related to PAVIA in-country starting from the baseline assessment to final project assessment.
Position in the organization
The PV coordinator will report to the Grant Coordinator.
Duties and responsibilities
As PV coordinator you will:
Ensure smooth collaboration between all partners by organizing regular joint meetings.
Update all partners in-country about the latest developments in the field of aDSM / PV relevant for their roles in the project.
Assist in strengthening aDSM / PV data collection system in-country, including support in the development of a roadmap to strengthen the PV system.
Facilitate trainings, and development or strengthening of aDSM / PV data collection plans and SoPs.
Monitor and supervise data flow, data quality and completeness of data collection and reporting.
Prepare required reports and ensure timely submission.
Assist in causality assessment and signal detection.
Perform other tasks as assigned by the supervisor
What does KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation offer?
A fixed-term contract for a year, with the intention to extend depending on funding and performance
An informal work atmosphere in an international environment where initiative is appreciated
A highly-motivated team of experienced, self-driven colleagues
The salary is dependent upon education and relevant working experience
KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation has its own Employment Conditions Scheme
Full-time employment consists of 40 hours per week
Job Requirement
Education
University degree in Pharmacy, Pharmacology or Medicine (Master’s degree in related fields relevant to this position will be an added advantage).
Knowledge and Experience
Minimum of 5 years post qualification experience working in drug regulatory, preferably in pharmacovigilance; or experience in drug monitoring in public health programs
Experience of activity coordination with clinicians, clinical expert teams, at national and sub-national host government entities
Cutting-edge knowledge of ongoing and emerging issues in relation to pharmacovigilance and TB medicines
Experience in relationship management with donors, partners, stakeholders in an international environment
Good interpersonal skills with experience in networking with partners at all levels (ministry, donors, private sector, NGOs and local community based organizations)