Technical Advisor – Pharmaceutical Management Full-Time

The Technical Advisor (TA) provides assistance to MTaPS Technical Lead in technical coordination of regional and country programs focused on Pharmaceutical Management. S/he supports HQ and in-country teams in the design and implementation of technical activities ensuring their adequate contribution to MTaPS results. The TA is also responsible for the implementation and evaluation of those designated field activities such as deployment of tools or implementation of facility and community based interventions. Under guidance from senior staff, s/he provides support to program quality reviews, activity reporting, and knowledge management activities. As required, other areas of work may include activities aimed at strengthening pharmaceutical systems, supply chain management or pharmaceutical services in developing countries.

Technical Support (40%)

• Participate in the coordination, design and implementation of technical assistance in support of MTaPS Pharmaceutical Management core and country portfolios;
• Conduct desk-based and/or field based research and technical assistance activities including delivery of reports, papers, and training as designated by senior technical staff;
• Participate in the design and implementation of Pharmaceutical Management field assessment activities including the development of tools and implementation of data analysis plans; also assist in data interpretation and technical activity reporting;
• Participate in human resource capacity assessments in the health and pharmaceutical sector and collaborate with senior technical staff and the Capacity Building and Performance Improvement Unit in the development of capacity building and training materials;
• Support regional and country portfolios, and under guidance from MTaPS Technical Lead and in collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Unit, in the development and implementation of portfolio specific M&E plans;
• Participate in the review of designated program documentation and activity products ensuring quality of program deliverables;
• Participate in the development of communication materials, presentations, articles, concept papers, abstracts and posters in the context of knowledge management and participate in the presentation of these products to various audiences and forums;
• Provide writing and analytical assistance as needed to produce special thematic reports and/or technical briefs documents aimed for publication;
• Attend technical and brown bag informational meetings when required and prepare related briefs for senior technical staff.  Also, work occasionally with senior technical staff for developing MSH proposals and new assistance projects as needed;
• Participate in other duties, as assigned.

Capacity Building (40%)

• Participate in human resource capacity assessments in the pharmaceutical sector and collaborate internally and externally to develop country-specific capacity building material, strategies and roll out plans;
• Assist Department of Health (DoH) 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 department of health, national programs, drug regulatory authority, other pharmaceutical cadres and training institutions;
•  Collaborate with stakeholders for the development, deployment and implementation of appropriate tools necessary to improve pharmaceutical management information systems and their appropriate use for decision making.

Monitoring & Evaluation (20%)

• 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 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.

Education:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field required

Experience:

Required:

• 6 years of experience with a Bachelor’s degree, 4 years of experience with a Master’s, and 2 years of experience with a Doctorate’s degree;
• Three plus years of relevant experience in international public health with a focus on strengthening health and/or pharmaceutical systems in developing countries;
• Specialized training and/or practical experience related to pharmaceutical management.

Preferred:

• At least four years in Supply Chain, Regulatory, Pharmacovigilance and Pharmaceutical management information systems and strengthening;
• Experience with programs supported by bilateral agencies such as USAID, CDC and international agencies such as the Global Fund, UNITAID, WHO and World Bank preferred.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to write lucid technical reports and documents, and to make presentations in English is required;
• Competence in use of word processing programs required, and experience with spreadsheets and database applications strongly preferred;
• Excellent writing and presentation skills in English are essential;
• Proficiency in French or in the languages of other USAID-supported countries is desired;
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously; excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team spirit.

Competencies:

• Ability to work independently and in team;
• Good judgment for decision making;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability in consensus building and constructively leading a team.

Physical Demands:

• Travel requirements 30% at national levels.

Management Sciences for Health (MSH), a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. We work to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Since its founding in 1971, MSH has worked in over 150 countries with policy makers, health professionals, and health care consumers to improve the quality, availability and affordability of health services. Working with governments, donors, non governmental organizations, the private sector, and health agencies, MSH responds to priority health problems such as HIV & AIDS; tuberculosis; malaria; maternal, newborn and child health; family planning and reproductive health; and chronic non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and lung and heart disease. Through strengthening capacity, investing in health systems innovation, building the evidence base, and advocating for sound public health policy, MSH is committed to making a lasting difference in global health.

Management Sciences for Health is an equal opportunity employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or veteran status.

Senior Technical Advisor.