Country: Sierra Leone
Closing date: 15 Feb 2019
Context
Solthis is an international medical NGO which contributes to the strengthening of health systems to improve the access to quality care in countries with limited resources and/or with the vulnerable populations. Solthis is registered and has been operating in Sierra Leone since 2011 where our teams have been providing comprehensive technical support at both health facility, national and community levels to improve quality of HIV care.
By 2019, Solthis will work towards consolidating its interventions and operationalizing its strategy for long lasting development that relies on the principle of non-substitution**.** In particular, Solthis will implement the second phase of the “Empower Project” which aims to empower users for improved quality of patient-centred HIV Care & Services. This rights-based approach project relies on the recognition that strengthening both the demand and supply side of Health Services is the key for success. Our interventions seek to strengthen and build capacity at the national level, health facility level and the community level. Our key partners are the Network of HIV Positives in Sierra Leone (NETHIPS) for the Civil Society component, the National AIDS Secretariat and the National AIDS/HIV Control Program (NACP) for the medical one. In 2019, Solthis will also enter into a partnership with ACF (Action against Hunger) with the purpose of streamlining HIV in their project focused on RMNACH quality of care improvement.
General responsibilities
Based in Freetown and under the responsibility of the Medical Coordinator, the Pharmacy and Laboratory Specialist’s main responsibilities are:
Supporting the continuous availability of pharmaceutical and Laboratory products and the adequacy of systems and structures aligned to global standards. Particularly: To provide technical assistance to NACP in HIV commodities management such as ARV drugs, and related pharmaceutical and laboratory productsto ensure an uninterrupted supply at National, District and Facility levels to improve the quality and the continuum of HIV care
To provide technical assistance to the central HIV reference laboratory and the related labs and services to ensure a regular samples collection and the proper feedback of results on timeTo provide capacity building to health care workers (pharmacists, storekeepers and Labs technicians) involved in commodities management at facility level He/She maintains effective working relationship with the other Medical Team members to ensure coherence and proper coordination of medical activities. When required, he/she also participates in the implementation of community oriented activities of the HIV Program, in close collaboration with the Community team.
He/She facilitates cohesive and supportive collaboration between the health facilities and the central structures (Reference laboratory, HIV program, Central Warehouse) building confidence and teamwork among those involved.
Specific Tasks and responsibilities
Technical Support to national and district coordination bodies involved in HIV commodities management and representation of Solthis expertise at national Level
Provide technical, supervisory and programmatic support to NACP in the elaboration and updates of national HIV guidelines, recommendations, strategies, SOPs in regards to ARVs and other related commodities management, including Laboratory ones.
Provide technical Support to the National ART Coordinator as well as the National Logistics Coordinator in their monitoring and supervision tasks
Participate and provide technical support to the National HIV Quantification and to the National Laboratory Technical Working Groups and the Community Consultative Group
Provide support to District Health Management Team (DHMT) to analyze reports from facilities and to elaborate distribution plans of ARVs and other commodities.
Provide support to District Health Management Team (DHMT) to elaborate reports to Central level and to prevent any stock-out
Represent Solthis and attend coordination meetings relevant to programs.
Contribute to Solthis’ advocacy based on a right-based approach, in favor of free access to quality HIV care & services for all, free of stigma and discrimination
Capacity building of staff and strengthening of system and structures to ensure quality pharmaceutical and Laboratory products standards
Under the supervision of the Medical Coordinator and the technical referent at Solthis HQ, and in collaboration with the Solthis HIV team, the Health Product management Specialist will:
Identify training needs and build the capacities of the key actors (pharmacists, storekeepers, Labs technicians) involved in HIV commodities management in at site level :
Organize and conduct classroom and/or on-site trainings , post training follow-up
Provide on-site mentoring:
Strengthen the organization and communication between the pharmacists and the counselors to improve the management of commodities in-facilities.
Strengthen the organization and communication between counselors and laboratory staff to improve the turn-out of tests results (esp VLT/EID).
Technical support to improve the inventory stock management (storage, physical count, reception, distribution, return expiry drugs)
Provide support for the proper use of reports and registers to ensure consistent and correct filling of tools for data collection according to the Logistic Management Information System (dispensing registers, RRIVs, inventory control card, internal requisitions, return expiry drugs…)
Provide oversight for laboratory HIV activities and ensure adherence to standard operating procedures:
Processing of plasma and/or DBS, including storage and documentation of sample
Labeling, packaging and data capture of all the samples into the electronic lab data management system (LDMS)
Support Coordinating shipment of sample between the reference Lab and satellites laboratories
Ensure POC laboratories report to the central level
In collaboration with the medical team, conduct participatory assessments and develop roadmaps, and participate in project monitoring and evaluation activities.
Conduct on site supportive supervision with NACP ART Pharmacist, National Logistic Coordinator and any other relevant focal person when required.
Monitoring and Evaluation/ Project Reporting
Participate in the definition, follow-up and reporting of project indicators related to pharma & Lab activities: design and monitoring of tools, quality data-collection and data-analysis.
Submit monthly activity reports to the medical Coordinator
Participate in the compilation of annual project and donor reports.
Other activities
Maintain working Relationships with all members of the team, involved in the same or cross cutting work streams
Assist Head of Mission and Medical Coordinator in fundraising and/or expanding/developing new program
Qualifications and skills:
Pharmacist with 5 years of experience in commodities management in resource-limited settings
Strong experience in and interest for HIV/AIDS
Knowledge in laboratory services management Broad understanding of HIV point of care technologies and other testing platforms
Knowledge/experience of procurement procedures and equipment/supply/stock tracking and inventory
Experience with lab-related data management systems would be an added value
Knowledge in public health
Experience in training and mentoring and supervision of staff
Ability to work in multi-cultural teams
Fluent English
Conditions:
Location : Freetown, Sierra Leone
Contract : Fixed term contract of 1 year (with possibility of extension for the duration of the project)
Starting date : 1st of March
Salary: according to professional experience + package (pension allowance, medical and repatriation insurance, plane tickets at the beginning & end of contract, monthly living allowance)
How to apply:
Please send your application in English (CV, cover letter, references, dates of availability) to recrutement@solthis.org, quoting reference “Health Product Management Advisor”, by February 15th, 2019.
Solthis reserves the right to close any vacancy before the advertised deadline. Thank you for your understanding.