Senior Pharmacy Program Officer (SPPOs) at Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria

Job Description

• The SPPOs will work in the Pharmacy Unit to ensure excellent delivery of pharmaceutical care and uninterrupted supply of anti-retroviral, anti-tuberculosis and anti-malaria medications and other medications at all health facilities managed by the Institute, with funding from the US PEPFAR and Global Fund.
• The SPPOs will be required to take charge of Pharmacy related issues in the US PEPFAR/ACTION PLUS UP, GF MALARIA, GF HIV or MDRTB grants.
• The SPPOs may be required to attend Inter agency collaborative meetings and also focus on the activities of the LGAs for saturation of HIV Services in line with the new paradigm of 90-90-90.
• The SPPOs will also conduct operational research and ensure health facilities maintain Good Pharmacy Practice and Standards in all pharmacy related activities.

Essential Functions

• The SPPOs will use a team work approach to lead and manage implementation of pharmacy related issues in close collaboration with the other members of the pharmacy unit and with staff across the region and central office.
• For systematic integration of pharmacy related activities, the SPPOs will interact excellently with the health facilities and regional staff and collaborate/engage with key stakeholders to ensure that the needs of facilities are identified and well understood, and that implementation of programmatic objectives are conducted effectively and efficiently, bringing together relevant perspectives and disciplines.
• The SPPOs will generally interact with critical stakeholders such as health facilities, sub-partners, and external partners involved in the supply and distribution of medications.

The SPPOs are to be responsible for the following areas:

• Focal persons for pharmaceutical services in the regions All SPPOs will serve as focal persons for pharmaceutical services and perform the following functions,
• Attend all strategic meetings in the state/region
• Attend delegated meetings at the central level
• Provide monthly reports on the pharmaceutical service delivery in the states/regions.
• Attend centrally organized meetings
• Attend centrally organized trainings
• Implement pharmacy activities at the states/regions The SPPOs will implement all pharmacy activities within the region and at the facility level. These activities include:
  • Assist sites with forecasting /quantification, monitoring of drug distributions byIHVN at the State/Regional Level
  • Oversee quality assurance and quality control issues at the facility by close monitoring of prescription patterns, ensure proper documentation, side effects monitoring (Pharmacovigilance), reduce dispensing errors etc
  • Monitor site stock level at the regional level and communicate with central staff and external and sub partners
  • Oversee drug logistics in the region i.e. stock-taking, proper drug storage, drug stock-out and monitor the effectiveness of the pull system
  • Provide regular and routine supportive supervision and mentoring to facility staff on dispensing and patient counseling, side effects monitoring, detection of lost to follow up (LTFU)
  • Identify training needs and help with trainings as well as organize and conduct trainings regionally and at sites e.g. on Good Pharmaceutical Practice (GPP), Pharmacy care etc.
• Monitoring report collection/collation at facility level
• Monitoring drug distribution to facilities
• Clinical reviews
• Weekly enrollment
• Regionally assigned responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications
Education/Experience:

• Essential: Bachelor of Pharmacy/ Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences/Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D). At least 5-7 years' experience working in public health programs, with a focus on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria. Proven record of working in a multi-disciplinary environment and implementing health projects conducted with disease control programs in low-income countries.
• Essential: Master of Public Health (MPH). Language: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English is strongly required.
• Desirable: Ph.D. in Public Health or its equivalent.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability and expertise in program implementation for the control of HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.
• Expertise in public health and broad knowledge of infectious diseases. Good knowledge of epidemiology.
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, and collaborate with other experts and colleagues.
• Good communication skills and ability to effectively interact with partners.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Ability to foster integration and teamwork
• Ability to respect and promote individual and cultural differences
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment
• Ability to effectively use resources