Pharmacy Officer at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Job Overview / Summary

• The Pharmacy officer is responsible for overseeing pharmaceutical distribution and monitoring for the population in the catchment area of IRC-supported health facilities in Monguno.
• Responsibilities will include day-to-day distribution of pharmaceuticals, monitoring of activities, capacity development of incentive staff, reporting, using PIT, coordination with other sectors and government authorities as well as close collaboration with health facility staff and  health managers.
• Reports to the Program Manager – Health Outcome, while working very closely with the dispensers at the facilities and Clinical officers.

Major Responsibilities
Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy:

• Monitors the availability of medical products to avoid stock-outs and financial losses generated by expired items; Collaborates with the Program Manager – Health Outcome/Pharmacy Manager and Field Coordinator to define stock security levels in IRC Monguno Pharmacy.
• In close collaboration with the Supply chain officer and Senior Health Officers, develops stock levels alert (based on an average monthly consumption AMC and morbidity data); gathers stock indicators, analyze them and discuss with the Program Manager – Health Outcome/ Pharmacy Senior Manager so as to avoid stock-outs and the financial losses generated by expired items.
• In collaboration with the other health program staff in Monguno, oversee the implementation of pharmaceutical aspects of health projects implemented by IRC Monguno.
• In collaboration with the Program Manager – Health Outcome, ensure that health programs utilize standardized protocols, policies, and guidelines, as outlined by the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) and WHO. Ensure that all Health activities are consistent with established best practices.
• Ensuring medicines are stored appropriately and securely.
• Liaising with Health facility clinicians to ensure appropriate prescription and rational drug use.
• Provide supervision to drug dispensers, checking dosage and ensuring that medicines are correctly and safely supplied and labelled, to avoid dispensing errors.
• Participate in Joint supportive supervisory visit by IRC and SPHCDA supervisor to all Health facilities and IRC mobile clinic and ensure that appropriate feedback and mentorship takes place.

Technical Support and Quality of Care Management:

• Ensure that all necessary drug information is correctly and fully recorded on the stock cards: IRC code, batch number, and expiry date, date of receipt or delivery, stock balance (incoming/outgoing), receipt and delivery document reference numbers.
• Complete all the tables for monitoring stock movements and consumption on the PIT.
• Prepares the monthly stock report.
• In conjunction with the senior Pharma Manager/Log Manager, perform physical stock counts in accordance with the frequency defined in the SOP.
• Inform the Program Manager – Health Outcome/Senior Pharma Manager when the stock of goods is nearing the minimum or maximum threshold, and regularly provide the Senior Pharma Manager and Program Manager – Health Outcome with a list of the items with expiry dates within the next six months.
• Monitor the temperature of the warehouse and ensure that products requiring cold chain (vaccines) are always stored at a suitable temperature (between +2°C and +8°C) - manually record T twice daily - Reports any deviation, using the cold chain breech report.
• Prepare the cold chain boxes as per Cold chain SOP.
• Ensure the availability of enough icepacks, clean cold chain containers for the outreach activities including vaccine campaigns.
• Ensure cleaning, defrosting and maintenance of fridges.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Identifying pharmaceutical gap and training needs of clinicians in supported MOH Health Facilities and pharmacy technician, conduct formal training and on-the job coaching as appropriate.
• Routinely monitor Drug dispensers and pharmacy technicians ensuring performance according to their job description and provide written feedback in a timely manner.
• Review personnel issues and concerns of Drug dispensers and Health facility Pharmacy technicians and assist in determining and implementing solutions.
• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
• Research, Learning and Analysis.

Monitoring Health Program implementation:

• Prepare a weekly/monthly report of movements of drugs and medica supplies (incoming/outgoing) in the Drug warehouse and submit a report to the Senior Pharmacy Manager, SC Manager, and Program Manager – Health Outcome.
• Immediately inform the Senior Pharma Manager of any problems arising in the course of the work, particularly regarding damage, loss, attempted break-ins, or theft in the warehouse, supported health facilities and Mobile clinic drug dispensary.
• Conduct routine inventory inspection and submit a report to the Senior Pharma Manager/Logistics manager in a timely manner
• Monitor and promote integrated programming in a way.

Coordination & Representation:

• Attend all relevant meetings in relation to the health program as may be required and feed in the IRC priorities during meetings.
• Facilitate field visits for internal and external stakeholders, when required.

Job Requirements
Education:

• B.Pharm Degree, must possess practicing license.
• Master’s Degree or postgraduate Diploma or Certificate in Supply Chain Management.
• Logistics, pharmacy management, business administration or related field is an added advantage.

Work Experience:

• 2 - 3 years of work experience or professional experience, of which 1 - 2 years in health system Support, strengthening, and the development sector.
• Experience in field missions as a pharmacist in the humanitarian setting is highly recommended.
• Must be registered with relevant licensing bodies and allowed to practice in Nigeria.
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of drugs and medical supplies regulations of Nigeria.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• NGO work experience is an advantage.
• Ability to work with displaced communities with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Experience in working in a team and able to lead a team.

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

• Experienced in report writing (highly recommended).
• Experience in training, capacity development, on-the-job coaching for team members/supervisees.
• Ability to maintain beneficiary confidentiality and respect always is essential.
• Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, work overtime when necessary and be able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive.
• Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels.

Languages: 

• Fluency in English, Hausa and Kanuri (Kanuri is an added advantage).

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

• Increases overall impact of health program at the community level.