Location: Home-based, with more than 80% on the field
Contract: Fixed term contract at 100%
Duration: 1 year, renewable
Starting date: ASAP
Deadline to apply: 26.10 2025
I. MSF INTERNATIONAL
Mรฉdecins Sans Frontiรจres (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSFโs 24 sections, 28 associations and 19 branch offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.
II. POSITION BACKGROUND
The general objective of this position is to support MSF programs and sections in medicines and medical devices supply, by guaranteeing that MSF quality standards are applied according to the evolving situation and available information. This position will cover ad-hoc needs, where no intersectional pharmacist is present and a more permanent position is not needed, for a time agreed-on in advance.
This position is home-base with frequent travels to the field (80%).
III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION
The Flying Intersectional Pharmacist (Flying ISP) position is hierarchically and technically linked by the International Pharmacist Coordinator (IPC), with support from the relevant section pharmacists (SPs) in the country of assignment. The Flying ISP works in close coordination with other Quality Assurance (QA) Pharmacists and the Regulatory Affairs Pharmacists (RAPs) at the Supply Centre (SC).
Priorities are set by the IPC in agreement with the SPs. These priorities will be based on operational needs as well as input received from related platforms, such as intersectional quality assurance platforms like MD or NFOS platforms or the Country Support on Importation (CSI) platform.
For administrative and security management, this position will be under the hosting section in the country travelled to.
IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION
The flying ISP supports the various sections in the targeted countries, with the objective of ensuring patientโs access to quality assured medical products and specialized food in accordance with MSFโs Quality Assurance policy. Acting as a mobile expert, the flying ISP will be traveling regularly to different countries of operation where additional support is needed without a need of a permanent position.
More specifically, the flying position objectives are:
Provide adhoc direct support and capacity strengthening to MSF missions in matters such as humanitarian importation and understanding the regulatory framework, negotiations with local authorities or implementation of HCA/MoU concerning importation of medical products sections.
Provide one-on-one training to intersectional pharmacists when required, with particular attention to those new to the position.
When required, conduct LMAs (in the absence of another available pharmacist) or accompany others to provide guidance on how to carry out LMAs.
As intersectional position, increase work on mutualisation especially regarding in-country procurement strategy.
I. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
As needed by the context:
Ad hoc support and capacity strengthening visits:
To provide technical support MSF missions in the negotiations with the local authorities regarding importation and access to quality medicines by MSF projects.
Provide briefing for Med/Log/Supply Coordinators and Country Pharmacists on the pharmaceutical situation, import constraints and the importance of mutualized approach.
Improve understanding of humanitarian importation for medical products by developing and delivering training sessions within the MSF missions. Facilitate workshops or practical sessions tailored to different levels of staff (pharmacists, regional managers, procurement staff). Develop training materials for these purposes.
Enhance MSF staff awareness within the MSF missions about the multiple internal resources (RAP, CSI group, libraries available, guidelines, etc.) available in MSF to address importation of medical products.
Ensure that the Country Constraints Sheets (CCS) and the Country Supply Profile Tool (pharma tab) are reviewed and properly updated at the end of the visit, either by the designated focal points or by flying intersectional pharmacist when required.
When necessary, proactively favor contacts with other NGOs, UN agencies, and local organizations regarding the quality and availability of essential medicines. Additionally, provide guidance to mission focal points on updating national regulations on medicines and medical devices (particularly concerning importation and pharmacy warehouse registration), as well as on any changes to the national Essential Medicines List (EML), as required.
Write a report at the end of each visit, summarizing the purpose and scope of the visit, main stakeholders engaged, key negotiations conducted, major achievements, main challenges encountered, and actionable recommendations provided alongside with a short action plan for follow-up.
Training and capacity building for ISP :
When needed and as requested, provide training to ISPs with the support of the SPs, with particular attention to ISPs being new to the position.
Report on the performance of trainees to the line manager, highlighting achievements, areas for improvement, and recommendations for further support when required.
Develop short and practical guidance to share with pharmacists in the training sessions.
Conducting Local Market Assessments (LMAs)
In countries where multiple MSF sections are present, to conduct LMAs when no other ISP or HQ OC Pharmacist is available to perform them, followed by the preparation of a report after the visit.
In the MSF missions visited, assess the GSDP compliance of key MSF warehouses, if requested by the SPs, to ensure that regulations and minimum standards are met.
Increase work on mutualisation
When possible, set up a technical focal person with local authorities, MSF SCs, and MSF regulatory affairs pharmacists concerning pharmaceutical issues to ensure intersectional coherence and cooperation.
Ensure regular meetings between the mission pharmacists/medical coordinators/supply units are set up to exchange information/problems and to find common solutions
Engage in discussions with intersectional procurement positions, in coordination with the CSI platform and the SPs platform. Facilitate dialogue to promote alignment between the different sections operating within a country and the pharmacy/medical and supply departments.