Description of the unit / department:

Trócaire is one of Ireland’s top International INGOs, having over 45 years of experience in international Humanitarian and Development response, and has been working in Gedo since 1993. Currently Trócaire implements Health, Nutrition, Protection, WASH and Education Programme activities in 5 different districts of Gedo. Trocaire places great emphasis on empowering local communities and partners so that control and agency lie with those with whom we work.

Background to the Role:

Significant amounts of medical equipment and drugs are purchased and distributed to Trocaire supported health facilities each year. While Trocaire has a robust supply chain system in place in Gedo there is need for more technical experience around pharmaceutical drug management and a need to strengthen our support to our partner District Health Board staff in their administration of such supplies. The pharmacy officer will be responsible for the overall management of medical commodities in the Trocaire-supported health facilities and capacity building of District Health Board (DHB) staff. This will entail stock taking, needs forecasting, storage, consumption analysis, redistribution, disposal, capacity building and monthly reporting.

Reporting to:

Reporting to Clinical coordinator

Managing:

Hospital pharmacy technicians

Contract Type:

Fixed Term

Contract Duration:

1 year, renewable

Grade and Scale:**

National Staff

Location of Position

Gedo.

Safeguarding Programme Participants Policy:

Trócaire is committed to Safeguarding Programme Participants from Exploitation and Abuse and has specific policies on this commitment (including a Global Code of Conduct) which outlines the expected behaviour and the responsibility of all staff, consultants and other organisational representatives. Any candidate offered a job with Trócaire will be expected to sign Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policies and Global Code of Conduct as an appendix to their contract of employment and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these documents.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

· Ensure proper management of medical commodities in the Trocaire-supported health facilities in Gedo region.

· S/he will be responsible on the rationale use of the drugs and redistribution of medical supplies to the health facilities.

· Review and update on annual basis essential medical list in consultation with the medical team.

· Ensure forecasting and quantification is done regularly.

· Oversee receipts and distribution of Health Products and Technologies (HPTs).

· Manage receipt, storage, and issuance of controlled drugs.

· Lead regular stock taking and updating of the stock cards at the central store and

· Conduct regular audits to learn from experience and make corrective changes where necessary in HPT management.

· Advise on Good Warehousing Practices and Good Distribution Practices of HPTs in line with the organizational guidelines.

· Conduct periodic audits of premises and processes to ensure achievement of Good Warehousing Practices.

· Ensure management of specialized storage facilities i.e cold room according to government guidelines and requirements

· Carry out training, sensitization and mentorship of staff handling HPTs to guarantee quality of the said products

· Take lead of innovation/designing new solutions to enhance efficiency in operations

· Coordinate with the clinical coordinator and Field logistics officer in managing returns of HPTs

· Coordinate with program coordinators to mitigate expiries of short dated and slow-moving commodities.

· Periodically report on product movement rate, expiries, and obsolete HPTs

· Coordinate with clinical coordinator in managing expiries, obsolete and disposal process.

· Manage donation of short-dated products to facilities.

· Participate in Technical Evaluation of HPTs when tendering.

· Take part in MoH meetings/workshops on change drug treatment regimens and new guidelines

· Management of medicines as guided by WHO (i.e advice on rational drug use and maintenance of records including prescriptions).

Person Specification – Essential (E)

(E) Qualification:

· Bachelor’s degree/ diploma in Pharmacy

(E) Experience:

· Minimum 3 years professional work experience in a similar role.

(E) Skills:

· Good interpersonal skills including the ability to listen; negotiation skills at different levels; flexible and able to work in unstable environments and under pressure with limited support.

· Strong writing and excellent communication skills in English and Somali.

· Good computer skills (Microsoft Office).

· Demonstrable focus on quality.

· Highly organised and attention to detail.

(E) Qualities

· She /He will lead by example, working to the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and integrity.

· Ability to work to a high standard in a multicultural team lead and to motivate DHB members and staff to achieve programme results

· Strong problem-solving skills, analytical skills, ability to work under pressure and good communication skills.

· Ability to work with minimum supervision

· Flexible and willing to work additional hours to ensure that the required results are delivered.

· High level of reliability, objectivity and honesty

· Willingness to work in Somalia environment in unsocial hours and harsh conditions.

· Proven strategic and innovative thinker, recognising and ensuring individual strengths of the team are fully involved in planning, implementation and analysis processes

(E) Other:

· Commitment to and understanding of Trocaire’s values and principles including rights-based approaches.

· Knowledge of Somalia and the Gedo region in particular (desirable)