Technical Officer - Policy, Strategy and Engagement (PSE)

Position: Technical Officer - Policy, Strategy and Engagement (PSE)

The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is a scientific nonprofit organization that sets standards for the identity, strength, quality, and purity of medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements manufactured, distributed and consumed worldwide. USP’s drug standards are enforceable in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration, and these standards are used in more than 140 countries.

The Promoting the Quality of Medicines Plus (PQM+) program, funded by USAID and implemented by USP, improves access to quality-assured priority medicines and addresses the proliferation of poor- quality medical products in low- and middle-income countries. PQM+ will strengthen medical product quality assurance systems through cross-sectoral and systems strengthening approaches and the application of international quality assurance standards across the pharmaceutical system. By sharing scientific expertise and providing technical support and leadership, PQM+ helps create resilient and robust local health systems that address diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases, as well as improves maternal, newborn and child health.

USP is seeking for a Technical Officer - Policy, Strategy and Engagement (PSE) in support of PQM+ program implementation in Nepal.

Summary of the Position

This is a non-supervisory, individual contributing position responsible for the on-site day-to-day activities at Department of Ministry of Health and Population, Department of Drug Administration and National Medicine Laboratory. S/He will work with Technical Advisor-PSE and DDA to achieve the goals of the regulatory system activities of PQM+ Nepal. S/he must possess a deep understanding of policy, regulation formulation to implementation process regarding pharmaceuticals in Nepal and engagement of multidisciplinary stakeholders to combat with circulation of substandard-falsified medicine in Nepal.   The PSE Officer will be directly involved to engage different level of bureaucrats to amendment the existing drug law for the strengthening of national medicine regulatory agency.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Supports for drafting and reviewing of technical documentation for quality assurance during the supply chain cycle of pharmaceutical and public demand for the quality assured medical products in Nepali market. 
• Coordinate with Technical Advisors to strengthen Regulatory functions, quality assurance and control systems at the Department of Drug Administration, National Medicine Laboratory, local government unit for the assurance of quality standard of medicine circulated in their jurisdiction.
• Support the planning, coordination, and management division of department of drug administration to prepare various technical and management documents for multidisciplinary group workshops to prevent the circulation of substandard and falsified medicine from the port of entry to Nepal. 
• Work closely with country office team to support development and deployment of strategies to enhance production of domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers. 
• Coordinate and support to organize thematic group workshop to draft pharmaceutical manufacturing strategies in line with national health policy and other strategic health roadmap of the country.
• Coordinate and support to organize multistakeholder advocacy meeting to address pharmaceutical sector related issues.
• Coordinate and support to develop and implement continuous professional development course with the focus on substandard and falsified medicine for the health care professional in coordination with respective professional council of the country.

Basic Qualifications

• B. Pharm/ BPH or undergraduate degree in health science 
• Solid track record of drafting policy documents related with the health system pharmaceutical management approach. 
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in the pharmaceutical service management in private or public institution.
• Minimum of one (1) years of experience community/hospital pharmacy or in supply-chain of pharmaceuticals with the clear understanding of regulatory management of the country. 

Preferred Qualifications

• M. Pharm or equivalent.
• Prior experience in USAID project
• Prior experience in regulatory environment of the country.
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel operations
• Excellent client relationship management skills 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in cross-cultural settings. 
• Ability to demonstrate highest degree of ethics and integrity.  

Application Process:

Interested candidates should submit cover letter and CV by email to GPHNepalRecruitment@USP.org clearly stating Technical Officer - Policy, Strategy and Engagement (PSE) in the subject line of the e-mail.

Application Deadline: September 30, 2022