Intersectional Pharmacist for International Humanitarian Missions

This position acts as a technical focal point for pharmaceutical regulatory affairs, importation, and liaison with national authorities in Afghanistan. The role ensures timely and compliant importation and availability of medical and pharmaceutical supplies, providing strategic guidance and representing MSF with external authorities.

Responsibilities

• Act as the intersectional technical focal person for pharmaceutical regulatory and importation matters for all sections in Afghanistan, ensuring coherence, coordination, and collaboration.
• Ensure timely, compliant, and coordinated importation and availability of medical and pharmaceutical supplies in line with MSF protocols and procedures.
• Provide strategic technical guidance to Afghanistan RA Pharmacist, Country Representative, Medical Coordinators, and Country Pharmacists on regulatory and importation matters.
• Maintain sampling tracking files and communicate out-of-specification results promptly to MSF Supply Centres and Pharma HQ.
• Monitor regulatory, political, and operational context related to pharmaceutical regulation.
• Identify and communicate potential changes in regulations or procedures impacting MSF operations.
• Represent MSF and liaise with external authorities, NGOs, and UN agencies on pharmaceutical issues.
• Maintain oversight of short-expiry and overstocked medical items, supporting harmonization of expired medicines destruction processes.
• Define, coordinate, and monitor pre-clearance and importation processes for medical goods in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain on-the-ground presence in Afghanistan to understand local pharmaceutical market and regulatory context.

Requirements

• Pharmacy degree or equivalent 4-5 years diploma according to the country of origin of the pharmacist.
• 4-5 years professional experience, including some experience in developing countries with MSF or another international organization.
• English language proficiency at B2 or higher level.
• Mature with strong interpersonal and organisational skills.
• Ability to work and report independently.
• Ability to represent MSF and negotiate diplomatically with Ministry of Health officials and MSF staff.
• Excellent communication and diplomatic skills.
• Good organisation and management skills.
• Professionalism, transparency and flexibility.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Knowledge of MSF Supply Centres highly recommended (desirable).
• Experience with quality assurance and procurement is an asset (desirable).
• Knowledge of MSF Pharmacy Stock Management tools is a bonus (desirable).
• Sensitivity and knowledge of Afghan cultural context important (desirable).

Skills

• Pharmacy
• Pharmaceutical Regulatory Affairs
• Medical Supply Importation
• Pharmaceutical Supply Management
• Quality Assurance
• Procurement
• Pharmaceutical Stock Management
• Diplomatic Negotiation
• Report Writing
• Interpersonal Skills
• Organizational Skills
• Communications Skills
• Teamwork
• Analytical Skills
• Problem Solving
• Representation with Authorities
• Knowledge of MSF Supply Centres

Languages

English