Technical Advisor - Pharmaceutical Systems & MIS (PMIS) (Only for Nepalese Nationals)

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:

Technical Advisor - Pharmaceutical Systems & MIS (PMIS)

(Only for Nepalese Nationals)

Overall Responsibilities:

The Technical Advisor – Pharmaceutical Systems and MIS (TA-PMIS) provides technical assistance to the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) and its provincial offices to build capacity and strengthen pharmaceutical management information system (PMIS) and processes and manage implementation of a new PMIS (Pharmadex) at the DDA.  The TA-PMIS will lead  the customisation and implementation of Pharmadex,  update systems and practices to align with World Health Organization (WHO) best practices linked to registration, inspection, pharmacovigilance, import and export and will develop and implement appropriate training strategies. The TA-PMIS will plan, manage and report on the MTaPS implementation and effective coordination with DDA.

Key Performance Areas

Technical Support - 40%

  • Support DDA to customise, test and implement Pharmadex for registration of pharmacies, wholesalers, importers, manufacturers and products
  • Support DDA to specify requirements to inspection management information systems. Manage development and implementation of the Pharmadex inspection module in close collaboration with DDA inspection Division and Management Sciences for Health (MSH) home office Pharmadex experts and MSH-programmers
  • Support DDA to specify requirements to pharmacovigilance management information systems, manage development and implementation of the Pharmadex pharmacovigilance module in close collaboration with DDA Management, Planning and Coordination Division and Management Sciences for Health home office Pharmadex experts and programmers
  • Support the development of electronic inspection tool and reporting/ integration into Pharmadex
  • Support DDA to strengthen pharmaceutical regulatory systems including licensing, registration, pharmacovigilance and inspection processes, structure and tools, PMIS, workflows and procedures through continuous quality improvement approaches and attainment of WHO best practices.
  • Provide technical leadership for implementation of Pharmadex within DDA central and provincial level
  • Support the DDA to strengthen their IT infrastructure, local area networking, IT solutions, information sharing and use.
  • Develop and implement capacity building strategies to build capacity in PMIS /Pharmadex use for DDA staff and other users including establishment of help desk and e-learning methods
  • Ensure maintenance of templates and standard operating procedures
  • In collaboration with the short-term technical adviser on data transfer and PMIS manage data transfer from DAMS to Pharmadex as needed
  • Manage and record testing and reporting on issues and system revisions and ensure smooth coordination and communication with the MSH home office and programmers
  • ensuring handover of the system to DDA

Coordination - 20%

  • Develop and present detailed implementation and work plans, track progress and manage the implementation of planned activities to meet set targets timely and satisfactory
  • Work closely with the DDA management team to develop realistic implementation plans, coordinate and manage implementation and report regularly on progress and ensure expectation management
  • 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.
  • Take part in progress meetings with DDA, USAID and MTaPS team and contribute to all program reporting
  • 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 DDA and regional/provincial offices, MOHP and other key stakeholders to ensure smooth PMIS implementation and expectation clarification.
  • 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 - 40%

  • Develop capacity building strategies and methods needed to implement the Pharmadex and improve data use.
  • Implement training strategies for Pharmadex use by DDA staff and users of Pharmadex
  • Develop guidelines and Manuals for use of PMIS and Pharmadex and reporting in Pharmadex
  • Train DDA staffs in data use and report generation
  • Train DDA inspectors in the use of the inspection modules
  • Train DDA staff in data quality and assess data quality
  • Work with relevant partners to build sustainable capacity of DDA and regional/provincial offices for effective pharmaceutical regulatory information system
  •  Write success stories and demonstrate Pharmadex

REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION

  • Degree in pharmacy or public health with other relevant discipline and hands on experience in medicine regulation and management information systems.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

  • At least 5 years of relevant experience in areas of pharmaceuticals, medicines regulation, registration and inspection or an IT person having exposure to the pharmaceutical field.
  • At least 3 years’ experience in areas of IT and management information systems, data use and IT system development
  • Strong program management and planning experience, with good analytical and reporting skills and an excellent communicator

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated experience in regulatory affairs and procedures specifically product registration and inspection gained from working with the DDA or pharmaceutical industry
  • Experience and expertise with management information system or health information system
  • Good understanding of guidelines and WHO best practices for  i.e. dossier review, Good Pharmacy Practices, Good Distribution Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices
  • Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing capacity building strategies, e-learning courses, workshops etc
  • Expertise in the design and development of guidelines and training manuals preferably for use of IT systems.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

  • Strong knowledge and understanding of regulatory systems and the functions of national regulatory authorities
  • Strong skills in IT and MIS
  • Strong understanding of health systems of low and middle-income countries preferably Nepal and other south Asian countries
  • In-depth understanding of design, planning and functionalities of e-health related tools
  • Skills in system customization and development of system requirement specifications
  • Significant experience in providing technical assistance on management information systems and implementing information manual and electronic tools to strengthen health/pharmaceutical systems desired.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to work in a team-oriented, culturally diverse environment.
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, communication skills, training experience, ability to identify and resolve issues and operational constraints.
  • Experience and ability working with senior government officials and communicate well
  • 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 a plus, Redmine , java script and My SQL and process flow development for system design.
  • English fluency required including speaking, writing, and reading; additional proficiency in Nepali or other Nepalese language a plus.

COMPETENCIES

CORE JOB COMPETENCIES:

  • Functional competencies: Highly motivated, resourceful, results driven and persistent. Ability to think strategically, gather and analyze information in order to make appropriate decisions. Strong management and planning skills and good in following up and having the overview while also focusing on the details. Strong 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 and team player.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Travel requirements: Available to travel within the country

Keyboard use, Scanning, filing, pulling drawers,

Lifting papers <10lbs., ETC.

Note : This is a national position. Only Nepalese are eligible to apply.

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.

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Overview

Category Pharmaceuticals
Openings 1
Position Type Full Time
Experience Please check vacancy details.
Education B.P.H. (Bachelors in Public Health)
Posted Date 06 Sep, 2021
Apply Before 26 Sep, 2021
City Kathmandu