Description of assignment title: Associate Public Health Officer (Pharmacy)

Assignment country: United Republic of Tanzania

Expected start date: 02/01/2024

Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

DoA reserved for persons with disabilities: No

Host entity: UNHCR

Type: Onsite

Duration: 11 months (with possibility of extension)

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Kasulu

Details

Mission and objectives

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is a UN agency mandated to aid and protect refugees, forcibly displaced communities, and stateless people, and to assist in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to a third country.

Context

• UNHCR in Kasulu provides international protection and mixed solutions for Burundian and Congolese refugees and asylum seekers.
• The Associate Public Health Officer (Pharmacy) will, in collaboration with the program team and in line with this job description ensure the standard pharmacy management in North-western Tanzania refugee program.
• UNHCR along with partners provide primary, secondary, and tertiary health care to POCs in refugee camps and reception centres (in case of influx) in North-western Tanzania.
• There are two refugee camps in North-western Tanzania as of January 1st, 2022. Health care services of Nyarugusu and Nduta refugee camps are provided by the TRCS and MTI while MSF-Swiss also provides health care services in Nduta refugee camp at main hospital.
• In case of any influx of asylum seekers, there are multiple border reception centres in addition to the refugee camps discussed above, at which the health care services are provided by health partners. There is a regular health sector coordination in place and the overall response is governed by the refugee coordination model.
• Essential medicine and medical supplies to the refugee program (except for Nduta refugee camp) are primarily provided by UNHCR through international procurement. Ad hoc local procurement is in place to supplement in an event of challenges in international procurement.
• The logistic component of the international medicine procurement as well as the bulk of local procurement is coordinated at the UNHCR country office at Dar s Salaam.
• Kibondo field office and Kasulu Field Office under Kigoma sub-Office oversee the health response of all refugee camps and the reception centres in North-western Tanzania. Monitoring the consumption pattern, monitoring the storage conditions, distribution and preparing the annual international order as well as the need based ad hoc local procurement orders are prepared at Kasulu field office.
• The central medicine and medical supplies medical store are located at Mubondo UNHCR Logistics Base close to Kasulu field office. The central medical store is managed by UNHCR as direct implementation since January 1st, 2022. In addition to UNHCR’s stock, the central medical warehouse serves UNICEF and UNFPA medical stocks which is being managed by UNHCR through MOU between the agencies. The medicines and medical supplies are distributed on monthly bases based on monthly consumption data and ad hoc emergency requisitions to refugee camps and reception centres. Refugee camps do have small medicine storages to keep medicine and supplies adequate for one to two months and various pharmacy and dispensary points at health centres and health posts.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Head of Field Office Kasulu and the technical supervision of the Public Health Officer based in Kigoma), the International UN Volunteer Associate Public Health Officer (Pharmacy) will:

• Biweekly conduct supportive supervision of the refugee camps medicine stores and pharmacies.
• Supervise directly three UNHCR Mubondo Medical Store staffs and support them and standard management of the medical store and service provision to the refugee camps.
• Coordinate and constantly work with logistics partner AIRD in the management, logistics arrangement, and security of the medical warehouse located within the logistics base.
• Frequent visits (at least twice a week) to Mubondo UNHCR Medical Warehouse on supportive supervision of central medicine storage; and
• Work with the TRCS and MTI teams to maintain the UNHCR standards in all aspect of the pharmacy management cycle.
• Ensure the management of the stocks of medicines and standardized medical equipment in all field pharmacies and central medicine store are according to UNHCR, WHO, and National Standards.
• Develop and update drug management tools, follow-up of expiry dates and regular inventories. This standardization require training for field pharmacy managers, coaching and supporting of three medical store staffs at Mubondo Medical Warehouse, and plan the necessary maintenance and upgrades of all medical storage facilities of the refugee health programme;
• Advise the programme and supply sections on the needed resources and procurement of medicine and medical equipment.
• Ensure the renewal of contingency stocks (for cholera, COVID-19, malaria, dysentery, influx of refugees, etc.).
• Monitoring of the needs, storage and consumption of medicines and nutritional products.
• Work closely with the Public Health Associate and partner clinical staff to ensure rational drug use in the health services of the refugee camps.
• Monitor the matching between the partners’ orders and the real needs in the field
• Support partners to prepare quality monthly reports on movement and consumption of medicines and nutritional products.
• Support and train the partners to monitor the stock levels: predict the low stock levels and stock ruptures in advance, as well as avoid expiration of slow-moving items.
• Report on the needs of medicines and equipment for all refugee camps. Through the calculation and monitoring of average monthly consumptions, support UNHCR and field in the design of the annual medical quantification system.
• Prepare the medicine and medical supplies orders for all refugee camps along with the partners and train the partner pharmacy manager on this task.
• Support partners in receiving ordered items complying the UNHCR standards and train partners on this process and necessary documentation
• Review the available monitoring tools, inventory taking tools and drug management tools and upgrade them as per need and train the partners pharmacy staffs how to use them.
• Share with partners’ relevant policies and principles, guidelines, protocols and other materials pertinent to pharmacy management.
• Work with the UNHCR public health, supply and program for necessary procurements
• Support the UNHCR supply: – Provide technical input into local procurement of medical supplies, both in the development of the tender documents and in the technical evaluation of received bids.
• Support the supply team in Dar es Salaam in the management and follow-up of medical importations with the National Regulatory Authorities (TMDA). This requires may require travel to Dar es Salaam for face-to-face interactions with the relevant external counterparts when need arises.
• Follow up with UNHCR supply team to ensure consignments are reached at the field timely and in a coordinated manner.
• Lead the drug and therapeutics task force meeting on quarterly bases and monitor the implementation of the action points of the task force.
• Participate and contribute to the various health and nutrition coordination meetings.
• participate on MFT verification and coordination meetings including but not limited to quarterly verification exercise, ad hoc monitoring and evaluations, interagency coordination meetings, intersectoral coordination meetings, camp coordination and camp management (CCCM) meetings etc.
• Participate and contribute to the National Logistics Pillar coordination meeting led my Ministry of Health which is being conducted on weekly and monthly bases.
• Contribute to progarmme evaluation, reporting, PPA revision and project control activities. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day).
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country.
• Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.
• Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly arrived UN Volunteers.
• Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Associate Public Health Officer (Pharmacy) Job Vacancy at UNHCR

Eligibility criteria

Age: 27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

3 years of experience in national and/or international level in pharmacy, pharmacy management, or pharmacy and public health programme delivery, or other relevant programmes; experience with experience in developing countries, international work experience and experience in humanitarian/refugee settings is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.

• Emergency response, immediate relief operations, and post-conflict humanitarian aid operations Mandatory.
• Pharmacy and medical supply Mandatory.
• Public health Optional.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
• Sound security awareness.
• Have affinity with or interest in UNHCR protection mandate to its persons of concern (POCs), volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

Area(s) of expertise

Health

Driving license

–

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Required Swahili, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable French, Level: Working knowledge, Desirable

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in pharmacy or public health with experience and background in pharmacy.

Competencies and values

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented;
• Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviors while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behavior; does not abuse power or authority.
• Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues;
• Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment.
• Planning and organizing effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.
• Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
• Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary.
• Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards UNHCR’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

The incumbent is expected to live in a remote isolated location with only basic and minimum facilities with the rest of the international community. His/her duties and responsibilities entail traveling between the offices of Kasulu and Kibondo and other refugee locations. The duty station is not conducive for families (particularly families with children). Tanzania is a unique country for its Swahili enriched East African Culture and known to host refugees generously and Refugee Operation in Tanzania is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential. Conditions of Service The initial contract is issued upon arrival for the period indicated above. The contract can be extended depending on continuation of mandate, availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectancy of renewal of the assignment. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA), which is composed of a Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications, and other basic needs. The VLA can be calculated using by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate US$ 1,631. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website – http://icsc.un.org. In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station. UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements). UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment. UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.

Associate Public Health Officer (Pharmacy) Job Vacancy at UNHCR

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds