Pharmacy Officer

Job Description

Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home. Began work in Ethiopia, 1999 in response to severe drought that happened in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Currently, providing assistance in ten different regions implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Job Overview:

The Pharmacy officer is a member of the IRC health team and will be responsible for supporting the implementation of the IRCs MHNTs activities in Tigray Region. (S)He will primarily coordinate and implement effective medical logistics for the emergency health and nutrition program, from strategic design to implementation of a timely and appropriate medical supplies’ management, in line with organizational and international standards.

Major Responsibilities:

• Set up and maintain robust, practical, and comprehensive documentation (SOPs, assessments, protocols and tools) relating to medicines’ management and pharmaceutical care in emergencies.
• Set up a functional drug management system for emergency health programs according to the IRC policy.
• Manage field pharmaceutical supply chain management, including storage, distribution, medicines management within healthcare facilities, healthcare waste management, controlled drug management, software systems for commodity management.
• Support initiatives in improving access to quality medicines during emergencies.
• Ensure regular inventory and consumption tracking of medical drugs and supplies.

·         Work with MHNT staff to ensure prompt requesting of medical drugs and supplies.

·         Work with supply chain and program team to ensure effective procurement plans and warehouse management of all medical drugs, equipment, and supplies.

·         Manage safe waste management of drug and medical supplies.

·         Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and provide guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.

·         Maintain up-to-date stock inventories.

·         Compile and submit stock consumption reports.

·         Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of the team; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs.

·         Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.

Job Requirement

·         Excellent communication skills, good spoken and writing of concise reports in Tigrinya and English.

·         Good technical and report writing skills with computer skills and knowledge.

·         Must be a team player with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure in a stressful environment, displaying patience, compassion, and diplomacy.

·         Ability to be innovative, flexible, adaptive, and willingness to work out of hours, sometimes throughout the night.

·         Ability to live in challenging conditions and ability to work under difficult, high-pressure situations.  

Educational Requirements:

·         BSs/MSc in Clinical Pharmacy or Pharmacy.

Preferred experience & skills:

·         Minimum of 2 years for BSs holder and 1 years for MSc holder and significant field operations experience supporting emergency activities. 

·         Experience in medical procurement and in pharmaceutical supply chain management (warehousing, stock control, transport, distribution)

·         Experience working in the NGO sector, within complex/large scale country programs and in emergency response/humanitarian environments.

·         Experience in conducting pharmacy, supply chain or health assessments, particularly in an emergency context.

·         Experience in Public Health relating to Essential Medicines, National Drug Policies, Quality Assurance, or clinical pharmacy is a plus.