Job Description

Baylor Swaziland is seeking applications from qualified candidates for the position of Pharmaceutical Senior Technical Advisor.

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Pharmaceutical Senior Technical Advisor (STA) will be responsible to lead the Pharmaceutical management component of the SC+PASS Program in Swaziland. This individual will also be asked to fill-in for many of the day-to-day responsibilities of the Project Director when s/he is on temporary leave. The STA is responsible for planning, implementation and support to evaluation of all SC+PASS supply chain and RMU activities as they relate to HIV/AIDS, TB, laboratory products and family planning. S/He will provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health (MoH), Central Medical Stores (CMS), the Office of the Deputy Director Pharmaceutical Services and other relevant departments and institutions at central, regional and peripheral levels to strengthen management systems for pharmaceuticals, supplies and other related health technologies. S/he will provide guidance to technical advisors and ensure the roll out of all activities designed and budgeted in the approved annual work plan under the SC+PASS program with quality and expected outcomes. He or she is responsible for supporting in-country activities, providing technical assistance to apply tools, coordinating data collection activities in support of progress reporting, operational research, sector assessments and evaluations as required. He or She will work closely with the SC+PASS Project Director in strategic planning, risk mitigation, performance management and coordination to ensure the SC+PASS Swaziland program achieves agreed targets and is responsive to the Ministry of Health (MOH) needs and expectations. He/She will ensure efficient usage of the SC+PASS Project resources, in order to meet the set objectives and as well maintain the standards and expectations of Baylor College of Medicine Children’s Foundation (BCM- CF) Swaziland.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

General

• Represents SC+PASS at national HIV and TB technical working groups
• S/he is a resource to USAID and PEPFAR implementing partners on supply chain and pharmaceutical management matters
• Provide technical assistance to the Supply Chain Technical Working Group (SCTWG), or other appropriate entities, on supply chain issues, including quantification, procurement and distribution.
• Liaise closely with the Assistant Director CMS and Chief Pharmacist, including program managers for TB and HIV on all supply chain issues
• Guide MOH in the effective processes of pharmaceutical waste management
• Participate in the development of regular quarterly and semi-annual reports on workplan activities for the SC-PASS, PEPFAR/USAID Swaziland and any other reporting requirement for the project as needed.
• Perform any duty as shall be assigned to him/her from time to time by the SC+PASS Project Director

Specific technical responsibilities

Technical Support

• Provide technical support to management and country team in the conceptualization
  and implementation of pharmaceutical management activities at the country, regional
  and peripheral levels.
• Lead and participate in activities aimed at Pharmaceutical management system
  strengthening, assessments, options analysis, operations research, and strategic
  planning ensuring that findings, recommendations and plans are all consistent with
  USAID objectives and Government of the Kingdom of Swaziland priorities.
• Provide technical support to Technical Advisors in the implementation of planned
  activities and in the review of project deliverables ensuring quality of products.
• Participate and represent SC+PASS project in all relevant meetings with MoH, disease programs, partners, among others.

Quantification and Supply Planning

• Support the MoH to ensure capacity for up to date national quantifications and supply plans for ARV and TB medicines, condoms and other key products.
• Work with the MOH to develop a procedure manual for quantification of health commodities
• Encourage participation of program managers in the quantification and supply planning for HIV, TB and condoms
• Coordinate the quantification and supply planning for commodities procured by USAID/PEPFAR in Swaziland

Capacity Building

• Contribute in the implementation of SC+PASS routing supportive supervision and mentoring activities in Swaziland at the national, regional, and facility levels ensuring that all activities are adequately and timely implemented in response to donors and stakeholders needs and expectations.
• Develop and implement appropriate training and supervision programs for personal responsible for supply chain of health products.
• Coordinate the development and continuous reviews as appropriate of appropriate job aids for inventory management and related functions
• Advise on infrastructure gaps towards optimal storage capacity for medicines at facilities
• Assist the MoH particularly the OCP, CMS and National Programs to design and review, policies, standards, guidelines, procedures and other relevant materials
• Participate in the planning and delivery of Pharmaceutical system strengthening
  programs aimed at building the capacity of OCP, CMS, national programs,
  other pharmaceutical cadres and training institutions.

Logistics Management Information System

• Support the implementation of Logistics Management Information System for Priority Health Programs
• Support the design, expansion and implementation of Swaziland Health Commodity Tracking System to capture, aggregate, analyze and generate pharmaceutical information for decision making.
• Promote the use of LMIS by all managers in supply chain decision making
• Support the use of all pharmaceutical and inventory management tools implemented by SC+PASS

Monitoring and Evaluation

• In coordination with the M&E team, support project for the establishment of
  mechanisms for collecting relevant data to their established indicators. Also participate
  in program review activities and provide adequate recommendations.
• Support Technical Advisors and other project staff in the adequate documentation and dissemination of program results and lessons learned including the development and
  submission of abstracts and articles to scientific journals and conferences.

Performance Management

• Supervise assigned Technical Advisors ensuring the adequacy of their performance and their continuous professional development.

Education

• Minimum requirement: Foundation degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences with Postgraduate degree in pharmacy, supply chain or related field
• Desirable: PhD and/or post-graduate qualifications in areas of M&E, SCM and/or Project Management.

Experience

• At least seven years of progressive and relevant experience in areas of pharmaceutical management and systems strengthening related projects, preferably with or knowledge of international donors such as USAID, Global Fund, UN and World Bank.
• Highly skilled in health sector Supply Chain management, medicines Regulatory, Pharmacovigilance and Pharmaceutical management information systems strengthening at the policy level
• Advanced knowledge of logistics techniques and applications including quantification and epidemiological modelling tools namely Quantimed, QuanTB, Spectrum, etc.
• Significant experience in providing technical assistance to promote National and regional capacity in pharmaceutical management.
• Knowledge and experience in the management of HIV and TB.
• Experience providing training and setting up training programs and workshops preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent problem-solving skills, planner and strategic thinker.
• Ability to deliver timely results despite obstacles and limited resources.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Excellent negotiation and relationship management skills.
• Good collaboration skills

1. Personal Style and Behavior:

• Creativity and ability to apply innovative thinking and problem solving; with flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite Applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Knowledge of appropriate methods for data analysis and reporting.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and ability to work as part of a team.
• Self-motivation, a strong work ethic and enthusiasm.
• Emotionally and politically savvy

This is summary of the primary responsibilities of the position, not an employment contract; it does not restrict the responsibilities that may be assigned. Baylor-Swaziland may revise this document at any time.

About the Organization

Through the TSP Program, Baylor-Swaziland and Baylor-Malawi are partners in continuing the Systems for Improved Access to Pharmaceuticals and Services (SIAPS) program in Swaziland. The new project, Swaziland Supply Chain and Pharmaceutical Assistance for Sustainable Systems (SC+PASS) seeks to improve the delivery and consistent use of HIV, TB and other reproductive health commodities and essential pharmaceutical services to achieve desired HIV, TB and SRH health outcomes.

Interested individuals can send an application letter addressed to the Executive Director. Baylor College of Medicine Children's Foundation (BCMCF-SD), P.O. Box 110, Mbabane.

All applications should be accompanied by a cover letter, CV and three professional references. Faxed and hand delivered applications will not be accepted and only short- listed candidates will be contacted.

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