Senior Technical Advisor – PV/AMU

Management Sciences for Health

Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 50 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. We work to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Since its founding in 1971, MSH has worked in over 150 countries with policymakers, health professionals, and health care consumers to improve the quality, availability, and affordability of health services. Working with governments, donors, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and health agencies, MSH responds to priority health problems such as HIV & AIDS; tuberculosis; malaria; maternal, newborn and child health; family planning and reproductive health; and chronic non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and lung and heart disease. Through strengthening capacity, investing in health systems innovation, building the evidence base, and advocating for sound public health policy, MSH is committed to making a lasting difference in global health. For more information visit: http://www.msh.org

Details / requirements:

Senior Technical Advisor – PV/AMU

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

Overall Responsibilities: 

The goal of the global five year USAID Medicines, Technologies and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program is to help low- and middle-income countries to strengthen their pharmaceutical systems to ensure sustainable access to and appropriate use of safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable essential medicines and pharmaceutical services. MTaPS, implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and partners, will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) and the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) including other relevant implementing agencies to strengthen pharmaceutical systems including pharmaceutical sector governance, regulatory systems, pharmaceutical management information systems, and improve patient-centered pharmaceutical services and appropriate medicine use.

The Senior Technical Advisor (STA) – Pharmacovigilance and appropriate medicines use (PV/AMU) provides technical assistance to the DDA, MOHP and health facility levels to build capacity and strengthen PV, AMU, and activities related to addressing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) development. The STA PV/AMU will assist in developing policies, regulations and guidelines for strengthening PV, AMU and AMR related activities in Nepal including enhancing safety monitoring by marketing authorization holders and public health programs. The STA-PV/AMU will support the establishment and implementation of procedures to perform PV, AMU and AMR related activities including supporting collection, investigation and assessment of adverse drug reactions (ADR) at national and sub-national levels. The STA will assist in managing appropriate MIS for PV, ADR and AMR.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Support 40%

  • Prepare and give technical presentations on key project activities and achievements as needed.
  • In coordination with relevant partners, provide technical assistance to DDA to strengthen institutional and individual capacity, management systems, MIS and governance of pharmacovigilance functions at federal and provincial level.
  • Support DDA to review and strengthen pharmacovigilance systems including processes, practices, structure and tools, including through continuous quality improvement approaches.
  • In collaboration with other partners, support DDA to review its operational processes including regulatory aspects to improve pharmacovigilance, AMU, and enforcement systems and tools.
  • In collaboration with relevant partners, provide technical assistance to DDA to develop long-term institutional development or strategic plans, and support development and implementation of related action plan. For strengthening PV, AMU and AMR.

Coordination 20%

  • Work closely with the MTaPS Nepal Management Team and the Finance and Administration Manager to develop and monitor appropriate/adequate budgets to support relevant technical activities.
  • Report regularly to the Country Program Director on progress/results achieved in technical work plans and barriers encountered, and resolve any challenges faced.
  • Represent the program at various technical meetings with other cooperating agencies and participate in various working groups as required, including making technical presentations on key activities and achievements of assigned areas as needed.
  • Maintain close liaison and coordination with senior officials in the MOHP and DDA and other key stakeholders e.g. WHO, USAID implementing partners, to ensure technical assistance activities are carried out with their active participation for building ownership.
  • Work closely with other MTaPS team members to ensure technical work plans are being implemented in a timely and technically sound manner, and productively leverage collaboration with key government and other stakeholders and partners.

Capacity Building 20%

  • Contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of capacity building activities for DDA and MOHP (central and provincial level) needed to implement the MTaPS Nepal workplan and strengthen regulation in PV, AMU, AMR etc.
  • Work with relevant partners to build sustainable capacity to manage the pharmacovigilance program and the appropriate medicines use program including capacitating public and private health facilities, and pharmaceutical companies.
  • Carry out additional responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time.

Monitoring & Evaluation 20%

  • Contribute to the development of MTaPS Nepal annual work plan and reports, quarterly progress reports and monthly update reports. Assist in implementation of the MTaPS Nepal Performance Monitoring plan (PMP) and support the collection and validation of relevant data to report project indicators.
  • Contribute to the adequate documentation and dissemination of program results and lessons learned, including the development and submission of project’s mandatory reports, technical documents and reports; and abstracts and articles for scientific journals and conferences.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Required: Advanced Degree in medicine, clinical pharmacy, pharmacology, pharmacy, or public health with other relevant discipline and hands on experience in the area of PV, AMU and AMR especially related to medicine regulation and capacity building.

Preferred: Master’s Degree with specialization in PV, AMU and pharmacology

Experience

Required: At least 7 years’ of relevant experience in areas of PV, AMU,and or antimicrobial resistance development and experience in medicines regulation

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated experience in PV, AMU and AMR.
  • Demonstrated experience in regulatory affairs specifically around PV, AMU and MIS for medicines .
  • Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing regulatory and/or pharmacovigilance systems strengthening interventions obtained from working with national regulatory authority, national pharmacovigilance centers, or from the pharmaceutical industry preferred.

Knowledge and Skills

  • Strong knowledge and understanding of PV, AMU, pharmacology, antimicrobial resistance development
  • Knowledge and understanding of regulatory systems including health systems of low and middle-income countries preferably Nepal and other south Asian countries
  • Strong ability to work in a team-oriented, culturally diverse environment.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, communication skills, training experience, ability to identify and resolve policy and operational constraints.
  • Experience and ability working with senior government officials.
  • Experience working with the pharmaceutical industry will be of added advantage
  • Experience with USAID and other donor agencies desirable.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication and presentation skills in English.
  • Demonstrated intermediate skills in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Project and electronic data management tools a plus.
  • English fluency required including speaking, writing, and reading; additional proficiency in Nepali or other Nepalese language a plus.
  • Functional competencies: Highly motivated, resourceful, results driven and persistent. Ability to think strategically, gather and analyse information in order to make appropriate decisions. Willing to take responsibility for defined and agreed tasks and ensure compliance with agreed  and timely deliverables. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Core MSH competencies: adaptability, communication, problem solving, creativity and innovation, timeliness of work, quality of work and team relationships, resource utilization. Sound judgment, self-motivated, strong initiative.
  • Ability to travel in-country to support technical activities.
  • Willingness and ability to travel internationally, including to the US as needed.
  • Keyboard use, Pulling drawers, Lifting papers <10lbs., ETC.

MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status. In compliance with U.S. Department of Labor Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, MSH has developed and maintains an affirmative action program and plan.

Interested candidates are requested to CLICK HERE to apply.

Overview

Category Technical
Openings 1
Position Type Full Time
Position Level Senior Level
Experience 7+ years
Education Post Graduate / Masters in related field.
Posted Date 03 Nov, 2020
Apply Before 23 Nov, 2020
City Kathmandu