PHARMACIST

PHARMACIST – FIELD POSITION

About Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organisation providing medical assistance to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters and exclusion from healthcare.

MSF pharmacists play an essential role in ensuring the availability, quality, safety and appropriate use of medicines and medical supplies in challenging field environments.

Position: Pharmacist

Department: Medical / Pharmacy

Location: MSF Field Project

Contract: International / Field Assignment

Main Purpose of the Position

The Pharmacist will be responsible for supporting the safe, effective and efficient management of medicines and pharmaceutical products within an MSF field project.

The position will contribute to ensuring the continuous availability of quality-assured medicines and medical supplies while supporting rational prescribing and appropriate use of medicines in accordance with MSF protocols and relevant national requirements.

The Pharmacist may work across hospital pharmacies, project pharmacies, health centres, warehouses and community-based programmes, depending on the operational context.

Key Responsibilities

Pharmaceutical Management

• Ensure appropriate management of medicines and pharmaceutical products throughout the project.
• Support forecasting, quantification and ordering of medicines and medical supplies.
• Monitor stock levels and ensure appropriate availability of essential medicines.
• Ensure proper storage, handling and distribution of pharmaceutical products.
• Monitor expiry dates, stock rotation and pharmaceutical waste.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and inventory records.
• Identify and report stock-outs, overstocking and other supply-related risks.

Quality and Safety

• Ensure medicines are stored according to appropriate temperature, security and storage requirements.
• Monitor the quality and integrity of medicines and pharmaceutical products.
• Support the identification and appropriate management of expired, damaged or unsuitable medicines.
• Contribute to pharmacovigilance and reporting of adverse drug reactions.
• Ensure safe dispensing and appropriate labelling of medicines.
• Promote patient safety and rational use of medicines.

Rational Use of Medicines

• Support healthcare workers in promoting appropriate prescribing and dispensing practices.
• Provide pharmaceutical information and advice to medical and nursing teams.
• Monitor prescribing and medicine consumption trends.
• Identify inappropriate use, misuse or wastage of medicines and propose corrective measures.
• Support adherence to MSF treatment protocols and essential medicines lists.

Pharmacy Operations

• Supervise and support pharmacy activities within the assigned project.
• Ensure appropriate dispensing procedures and patient counselling.
• Maintain accurate stock records and pharmaceutical documentation.
• Support the implementation of standard operating procedures.
• Participate in pharmacy audits and stock counts.
• Ensure appropriate management of controlled medicines in accordance with applicable regulations and MSF procedures.

Supply Chain and Logistics

• Collaborate with logistics and supply teams to ensure timely procurement and distribution of medicines.
• Support the planning of pharmaceutical requirements based on consumption and programme needs.
• Participate in stock forecasting and quantification exercises.
• Monitor the supply chain and identify potential interruptions.
• Contribute to contingency planning for emergency situations and sudden increases in patient needs.

Training and Capacity Building

• Train, coach and mentor pharmacy staff and other healthcare workers.
• Provide training on medicine management, rational use of medicines, storage and dispensing.
• Support the development of local pharmacy capacity.
• Promote good pharmaceutical practices throughout the project.
• Share technical knowledge with multidisciplinary teams.

Data, Monitoring and Reporting

• Maintain accurate pharmacy records and documentation.
• Monitor pharmaceutical consumption and stock indicators.
• Prepare regular pharmacy reports and contribute to project reporting.
• Analyse medicine consumption and identify trends or anomalies.
• Contribute to audits and quality improvement activities.

Emergency and Field Responsibilities

• Support emergency preparedness and response activities related to medicines and medical supplies.
• Ensure availability of essential medicines during emergencies and outbreaks.
• Adapt pharmacy systems to changing operational needs.
• Participate in field visits and activities outside the main project facility when required.
• Work effectively in remote, resource-constrained and challenging environments.

Teamwork and Professional Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with medical, nursing, logistics and other multidisciplinary teams.
• Participate in project meetings and coordination activities.
• Maintain professional standards and confidentiality.
• Respect MSF principles, humanitarian values and professional ethics.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in changing field environments.

Candidate Profile

Essential Requirements

• Recognised Pharmacy qualification appropriate to the country of practice.
• Current professional registration and authorisation to practise as a Pharmacist.
• Relevant professional experience in pharmacy practice.
• Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical management and medicine supply systems.
• Experience in stock management, forecasting and quantification.
• Knowledge of safe storage and handling of medicines.
• Strong organisational and analytical skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to work independently in challenging and resource-limited environments.
• Willingness to work in field settings and adapt to changing operational requirements.

Desirable Experience

Experience in the following areas will be an advantage:

• Humanitarian or emergency response.
• Hospital pharmacy.
• Public health pharmacy.
• Pharmacy supply chain management.
• Medical warehouse management.
• Pharmacovigilance.
• Antimicrobial stewardship.
• Outbreak response.
• Experience working with international NGOs or humanitarian organisations.
• Experience working in resource-limited or remote settings.
• Training and mentoring of pharmacy staff.
• Experience working in multicultural and international teams.

Languages

• French-speaking ability is a strong advantage, particularly for field assignments in French-speaking contexts.
• English proficiency is an advantage.
• Knowledge of local languages relevant to the project is desirable.

Personal Qualities

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong professional and ethical standards.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Attention to detail.
• Analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.
• Cultural sensitivity.
• Resilience in challenging environments.
• Commitment to patient safety and quality of care.
• Willingness to share knowledge and build the capacity of local teams.