International Medical Corps never asks job applicants for a fee, payment, or other monetary transaction. If you are asked for money in connection with this recruitment, please report to International Medical Corps at the website for reporting misconduct: www.InternationalMedicalCorps.ethicspoint.com.

The Pharmaceuticals and Medical Commodities Management Specialist will support the day-to-day management of pharmaceuticals and other medical commodities within International Medical Corps Ethiopia project portfolio. This position will facilitate compliance with selection, quantification, procurement, quality, warehouse, distribution  and health facilities’ stock management, as well as rational use of medicines and other medical commodities for the mission projects, ensuring that all stages of the P-SCM is conducted in accordance with International Medical Corps’ P-SCM Minimum Quality Standards Guidelines and the relevant laws and regulations of the Federal Government of Ethiopia and donors. The position will also support IMC-supported MoH health facilities to apply P-SCM minimum standards and best practices. The Specialist will be the primary person responsible for managing, utilizing, and monitoring the implementation of PIMS (Digital software) across intervention areas.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation.

Main Task and Responsibilities

• Monitor and control the rational distribution of medicines and equipment under his/her responsibility and ensure the quality, disinfection and sterilization of the medical material. 

• Monitor the availability of pharmaceuticals and other medical commodities to avoid stock-outs and financial losses generated by expired items.

• Collaborate with health and nutrition teams to define stock security levels in health facilities.

• Build capacity of medical warehouses staff on PIMS utilization for pharmaceuticals and other medical commodities and ensure compliance with IMC PIMS guidelines.

• Participate and support the MD in defining strategies for supply, management, distribution, and use of medical products in line with IMC’s recommendations and policies.

• Ensure the implementation of IMC’s minimum quality standards of the P-SCM

• Ensure procured pharmaceuticals & medical commodities meet the required quality standards and specifications upon delivery.

• Review monthly pharmaceutical stock status reports and advise the MD on issues that require prompt management decisions.

• Support the medical commodity manager on the identification of potential gaps need improvement and ideas for improving the PSCM system.

• Work with the medical store staff at the CO and FO to properly manage medical stock data (monthly status data) and indicators; analyse and interpret performance to support necessary programmatic decisions or course corrections in collaboration with the health and logistics teams involved in the P-SCM.

• Work collaboratively with the medical commodities manager, medical commodities officers, Health, GBV, nutrition, MHPSS and logistics teams in proper and need based selection, quantification of essential medicines as per relevant guidelines.

• Regularly follow up or schedule team meetings with the medical commodities manager and officers in Addis Ababa and field sites to ensure:

• Work plans are in line with project objectives and identified capacity building needs.

• Clear and coherent distribution flow with adapted tools and standard product lists exists.

• Good Distribution Practices and Good Dispensing Practices are followed in the supported pharmacies, QA system is incorporated into the health facilities and medical stores.

• Proper disposal of Pharmaceuticals and medical commodities according to National Regulatory Safety standards, waste management protocols, and international standards.

• Follow-up consumption analysis, including communication within medical teams on stock levels, stock-outs, pre-stock-outs, use of new products, and prescription status.

•  Mentor field-based staff (e.g. pharmacists, medical store officers, health officers) on proper management of medical stock through in-person and remote trainings and on-job coaching. 

• Support IMC -supported facilities to comply with national and international standards (including drug stock management guidelines, essential drug list, and standard equipment).

• Distribution of Pharmaceuticals & medical commodities:

• Support field offices to prepare and submit their plans for pharmaceuticals & medical commodities to MHNTs and IMC-supported MOH Health facilities on time.

• Ensure all distributions are made in accordance with the approved distribution plans.

• Ensure all relevant distribution documents are in good working order and archived.

• Ensure field offices submit distribution reports on time.

• Represent IMC and participate in relevant National cluster meetings and link with stakeholders with guidance from and in collaboration with Medical commodities manager.

•  Perform other duties as assigned by the medical commodity manager and medical director.

The duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and not necessarily all inclusive. 

Job Requirements

• Minimum a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy (B pharm) is mandatory. Master’s degree in public health, Pharmacy, Supply chain management or related fields is preferred.

• Minimum five years’ experience for BSC and three years’ experience for MSc. /MPH

• Experience in P-SCM with strong focus on primary health care; experience also in Secondary health care is a plus.

• Ability to effectively communicate, coordinate, prioritize, and plan tasks.

• Knowledge and familiarity with the applicable laws, regulations, processes, and guidelines of the Federal Regulatory Authorities and other entities involved in P-SCM in Ethiopia.

• Solid knowledge of the health information systems management of Ethiopia.

• Basic knowledge and understanding of WHO guidelines and minimum standards related to P-SCM, including Good Distribution Practices (GDP), Good Dispensing Practices GDP), Good Storage Practices (GSP), etc.,

• Knowledge and experience of budget preparation and management is a plus. 

• Proficient in computer applications, especially with MS Word and MS Excel, MS PowerPoint. 

• Profound cross-cultural awareness and insight into health care issues. 

• Ability to resolve effectively and appropriately workplace conflicts between team members, to make sound judgment & decisions independently following consultative processes. 

• Ability to work collaboratively with teams of diverse backgrounds with integrity, professionalism and accountability.

• Skills in creative problem solving particularly in limited resource settings. 

• Proven experience in managing, training and motivating multiethnic and multicultural teams. Leading/managing team by example.

• Previous experience facilitating training and engaging in capacity building activities with staff.

• Excellent working knowledge of computer software packages (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Power Point, etc.).

• Ability and willingness to travel to field sites including remote areas at least 50% of the time.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English required, working knowledge of local languages Mandatory.

How to Apply

Interested applicants who meet the above requirements should submit their application letter and CV by clearly stating the position that you are applying for through THIS LINK On OR before January 13, 2025.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Note: IMC is equal opportunity employer and hence candidate from all background: religion, ethnic group, qualified women and people living with disabilities, etc are all encouraged to apply.