International Pharmacist Coordinator

**Location**:Any MSF Office* (preferably an OC)

**Contract**:Fixed term at 100% (Maternity leave replacement)

**Duration**: 12 months, short extension possible*

**Deadline to apply**:15.09.2024

**Starting date**: Nov 2024 - As this is a replacement for maternity leave, flexibility for the start date and duration of contract will be appreciated.

**Compensation and benefits**:MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing the contract.

**MSF INTERNATIONAL**

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 27 associations and other offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.

**POSITION BACKGROUND**

The objective of the Pharmacist’s Network is to assure the quality of medicines in MSF projects. The network of pharmacists is mainly composed of pharmacists working in the medical departments of the operational centers (section pharmacists, support/operational pharmacists), pharmacists in European Supply Centers (ESC), pharmacists in the Access Campaign (including a coordinator) and regional/intersectional positions and currently comprises around 70 relevant people.

Coordination of this network is done by the International Pharmacist Coordinator (IPC) who has a permanent position within the International Office.

Main activities of the International Pharmacist Coordinator (in relation to support to operations) are:

- To maintain the coherence of the network (organization, meetings)
- To facilitate that common specifications and procedures are implemented and used in all sections
- To ensure procurement at field level is in accordance with MSF quality and procurement policy

Managing quality assurance is complex, requesting pharmaceutical expertise that is far beyond the capacity of each single section/supply center. That is why the general directors have decided at the end of October 2002 to open a position for a senior pharmacist coordinator. In May 2005, the general directors have decided to maintain this position, and to transform it into a permanent one, from then the network of pharmacist has been progressively set up. Since January 2016 the medical directors have validated subsequent 3-year plans for the Pharmacist Network to confirm and enlarge its objectives to ensure pharmaceutical quality at all levels from the beginning of the medicines life cycle all the way to the patient intake/administration.

**PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION**

The International Pharmacist Coordinator is under the direct responsibility of the Head of the International Medical Quality of Products and Publications.

(S) He will manage and be in close contact with the Pharmacist Network and particularly the ‘operational pharmacists’ (Section Pharmacists group, support/operational pharmacists and regional/intersectional pharmacists) and also QA pharmacists.

**OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION**

The general objective is to improve and to ensure the quality assurance of the medicines supply for MSF programmes. This includes several aspects:

- Finalise definition together with the IO and OC teams of the objectives for the 3 year strategic plan and lead their implementation, specifically for 2025.
- Maintain the MSF Quality Assurance System and pursue securing of international procurement through continued implementation by all sections.
- Support securing local purchase where there is no other option or for valid operational reasons.
- Closely liaise with other areas, mainly Supply, to continue supporting joint efforts to improve quality assurance in MSF throughout the full supply chain.
- Maintain collaboration with external partners to improve the quality of medicines at global, international and local level.

To achieve these objectives, the MSF Pharma Network was developed. It is coordinated by the IPC, and supported by a pool of external experts (GMP, bioequivalence, etc.).

**MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES**

**General**:

- Participate in the definition of the 2025-2027 Pharma Network Plan of Action, and particularly the 2025 strategic plan, in consultation with the IO QA Pharmacist and the IO Operational Pharmacist, the medical directors and other stakeholders (mainly supply) and taking into account operational needs and priorities.
- Ensure implementation of the priority objectives for 2025.
- Ensure the overall coherence of the work of the different subgroups of pharmacists composing the network.
- Maintain the Pharma Network organisation and coordinate relevant meetings between the