Pharmacy Manager

WHAT IS MSF ?

Médecins Sans Frontières/أطباء بلا حدود  بلا أطباء (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people in 70 countries who are affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. MSF offers assistance to people based on need, irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation and our actions are guided by medical ethics and the principles of neutrality and impartiality.

We offer basic healthcare, perform surgery, fight epidemics, rehabilitate and run hospitals and clinics, carry out vaccination campaigns, operate nutrition centers, and provide mental healthcare. Our activities include the treatment of injuries and disease, maternal care and the provision of humanitarian aid. Where necessary, we set up sanitation systems, supply safe drinking water, and distribute relief to assist survival.

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE PROJECT

The project started in Sept. 2013 in Shatila, where MSF currently manages an outpatient center for chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), vaccination services with transversely integrated mental health services and health promotion, and referrals for patients who require services beyond the scope of MSF activities. Additionally MSF opened a women’s health center with sexual and reproductive health care.
During 2018, low risk deliveries were relocated from Shatila to Rafik Hariri University Hospital compound, where MSF runs a Birth Centre. MSF took this as an opportunity to work together with external partners as catalyst for change around midwifery model of care and demedicalization of deliveries. The antenatal care services remains in the camps, to serve the most vulnerable women.
In Bourj el Barajneh camp, besides the above mentioned activities, MSF provides in addition home based care for those patients who are housebound or bedridden often due to an advanced NCD disease.

MSF BIRTH CENTER (BC)

The MSF Birth Center is unique in Lebanon, in its objective to develop a midwife led model of care. The midwives are responsible  for all of the deliveries and are only required to consult the obstetrician in case of complications. The model focuses on low risk pregnancies. There is an assesment room for all patients being followed in ANC, including the higher risk cases and they may attend at any time to be assessed. The most important role of the obstetrician is to manage any complicated cases either in BC or prior to referral to another hospital, and to be active in teaching, coaching and empowering of the midwives and nurses to help develop the midwife led model of care.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Defining, coordinating and monitoring all pharmacy related activities in the project area including management of staff, according to MSF protocols, standards and procedures and the mission’s pharmacist and Medical Coordinator’s guidelines, in order to ensure the proper management and supply of drugs and medical devices.

This position will be located in the MSF Family Center in Bourj el Barajneh with frequent visits to PHC Center in Shatila camp and Birth Center in Rafic Hariri University Hospital

ACCOUNTABILITIES

•  Participating actively in the definition and update of the annual planning and budgets of the pharmacy activities in the project.
•  Supervising the functioning and organization of the project central pharmacy and other peripheral units, setting the protocols and procedures to be followed by all staff in order to ensure the quality of the service provided to the population, including pharmaco vigilance in case of need.
•  Defining storage, stock management and supply processes, in order to ensure good storage conditions (temperatures, humidity and light exposure) and the accurate handling of the products and equipment in terms of hygiene and that all hygiene and security procedures are followed in project pharmacies (cleaning, controlling pests and rodents, etc.)
•  Giving support in the ordering and supply process of medicines and medical devices. Monitoring correct stock management across pharmacies within project area, to guarantee a good control and up to date data of stock levels and avoid expiries, overstocks and stock outs. Reporting on drug consumptions and medical devices dispensed according to protocols, informing on unusual patterns.
•  Ensuring, in cooperation with the project logistic manager, proper maintenance of cold chain and storage conditions (e.g. humidity, temperature, light exposure, cleanliness, pest and rodents control, etc.), and that classification and organization of medicines and medical material meet MSF protocols.
•  Ensuring the collection of data for monitoring and surveillance of optimal quantity  quality of medicine use. Supporting activities at service level for effective drug distribution and control, quality prescription (analyzing rational drug use), medicines reconciliation, antibiotic stewardship interventions such as restricted use antibiotic review, follow up of pharmaceutical care plans, patient counseling, good dispensing practices and safe medication practices. Enrol exit surveys and indicate the preventive and corrective actions if needed.
• Participate actively in the whole mission pharma team activities, trainings and workshops to share the experience and difficulties between the different projects in the mission.
• Evaluating and validating loan and donation requests based on the stock indicators between MSF projects, while for non-MSF donation; to provide the needed indicators to the Project Medical Referent (PMR) for final validation.
• Supervising, coaching, motivating and evaluating all the pharmacy staff under his/her responsibility, in order to ensure the strict respect for working procedures and protocols. Ensuring that all pharmacy staff uses required clothes and equipment according to protocols, i.e. white coat, gloves, etc.
•  To define, if needed, training opportunities for the medical staff, in collaboration with the project Medical Activity Manager and PMR
•  Carrying out all the reporting tasks associated to his/her field of action and responsibility, ensuring its consistency and accuracy, in order to support in the relevant decision-making and participating in monthly reports according to guidelines (SitReps, medical statistical reports, etc.)
•  Planning and supervising, in close coordination with the HR department, the associated processes (recruitment, training/induction, evaluation, potential detection, development and communication) of the staff under his/her responsibility in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required.

REQUIREMENTS:

Education:  1. Doctor of pharmacy diploma

                  2. Ministry of public health authorization to practice

                  3. Certificate of registration at the Order of pharmacists in Lebanon

Desirable: Credit points for the last year from the Order of pharmacists

Experience: Two years, of demonstrated, experience as a pharmacist required. Experience in MSF or other NGO’s in developing countries is desirable

Languages: Fluency in English and Arabic are essential

IT skills: computer literacy (word, excel and internet)

Soft Skills: Results and Quality Orientation, Teamwork and Cooperation, Commitment to MSF Principles, Stress Management