Pharmacovigilance Coordinator at KNCV Tuberculosis Foundation

Pharmacovigilance Project

• PAVIA 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 PV, i.e. for recognizing, reporting, and acting on untoward effects of such products.
• PAVIA aims to strengthen pharmacovigilance (PV) in these countries by bringing together stakeholders and coordinating ongoing activities and initiatives, in addition to providing direct support through training and technical assistance. The ultimate goal is to improve the readiness of African health systems to effectively deliver new medical products and to monitor their post-market safety. The project will be implemented in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Swaziland and Tanzania and will start in March 2018 and run for four years.
• 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

• As a PAVIA Coordinator, you will be the key linkage between the partners, specifically KNCV, the National Drug Regulatory Agency a local medical research institute, the national TB program and the sites collecting PAVIA data. 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.

As PAVIA 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.
• Facilitate trainings, development of aDSM / PV data collection plans and SOPs.
• Monitor and supervise the data flow, and actual data collection and reporting.
• Assist in causality assessment and signal detection.
• Perform other additional duties as assigned.

Who are we looking for?
Education:

• University Degree in Pharmacy, Pharmacology or Medicine (Master's Degree in related fields relevant to this position will be an added advantage).

Knowledge/experience:

• A minimum of 5 years working experience in TB and/or HIV programs.
• Experience as laboratory quality assurance officer or laboratory manager.
• Experience in working with: HIV & TB program; USAID projects or any development partner.
• Sound analytical skills.

Behavioral competencies and skills:

• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Excellent organizational, planning, negotiating and problem-solving skills.
• Good computer skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Office programs.
• Ability to work as part of a team and independently.
• Ability to cope with stress and to organize and prioritize workload.
• Ability to work in an international team.

What do we offer?

• A full-time (40 hours per week) fixed-term contract for a year, with the intention to extend the contract, 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.