Pharmacist (Abyei) – UNV

Job Description

Organization	United Nations Volunteers
Description of the assignment title	UNV Pharmacist
Host entity	UNISFA
Assignment country	Sudan
Type	Onsite
Expected start date	01/07/2023
Sustainable Development Goal	Peace, justice and strong institutions
Number of assignments	1
Advertisement end date	23/03/2023

Details

Mission and objectives

UNISFA was established in July 2011 under authority of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). UNISFA is mandated to Strengthen the capacity of the Abyei Police Service (APS) by providing support, including the training of personnel, and coordinate with the APS on matters of law and order, Monitor and verify the redeployment of armed forces from the Abyei area in accordance with the 20 June 2011 Agreement, Provide de-mining assistance and technical advice, Facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and free movement of humanitarian personnel in coordination with relevant Abyei Area bodies, When requested and in cooperation with the APS, provide security for oil infrastructure in the Abyei Administrative Area (AAA) and later to organize the referendum The Council also authorized UNISFA under Chapter VII to: • Protect UN Personnel, facilities, installations, and equipment. • Ensure the security and freedom of UN and humanitarian personnel and members of the Joint Military Observers Committee and Joint Military Observer Teams established by the 20 June Agreement. • Protect civilians under imminent threat of physical violence; and protect the Area from incursions by unauthorized elements and ensure security.

Context

United Nations Volunteers Programme, by agreement with the UN Department of Operational Support (DOS) and Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), deploys UN Volunteers to support DOS/DPKO peace operations in a range of countries. Within this framework, UNV maintains a Field Office to support UNISFA (United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei). This position is in the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA). The UNV Pharmacist reports to the Chief Medical Officer to support operations in Medical Unit.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Medical Officer, Medical Section, the UNV volunteer will undertake the following tasks:
-Planning, specifying and requisitioning of drugs, medical supplies and medical equipment for all the UNOE clinics in the mission in line with the mission’s medical budget;
-Liaising with the Procurement Section to ensure the unimpeded supply of Medical Equipment, Contraceptives, drugs, medical supplies, vaccines, and blood in the mission.
-Responsible for developing, updating and implementing a mission list for drugs and medical consumables to suit missions requirements and based on generic drugs produced after WHO standards.
-Follow up in payment of invoices for medical supplies and services given in UMOJA.
-Control and record all assets in the medical section electronically within the available working systems.
-Liaising with Receiving and Inspection Unit to ascertain vendors’ conformity to ordered goods and reporting any discrepancies.
-Developing and maintaining a system for ongoing inspections of drug safety, contraceptives use and ensuring the optimal utilization of the existing system contracts for the procurement of medical equipment, drugs, medical supplies, & vaccines.
-Using the UMOJA expendable and non-expendable database system to track and monitor the movement of all equipment and medical supplies including consumables, drugs and contraceptives to the UNOE clinic(s) in the UNISFA area of responsibility.
-Dispensing and supervising the dispensing of drugs in UNOE clinic and offering day-to-day advise on all pharmaceutical issues.
-Developing a system for ongoing inspections of drug safety in all the UNOE clinics.
-Supervising the preparation of individual medical kits, the distribution of the kits to all the UN staffs deployed to different locations and instructing staffs on the correct usage of the items included in the kits;
-Acts as medical warehouse/drug store manager and supervises warehouse/drug store staff(s),
-Perform any other tasks that may be given by supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

•Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day);
•Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country;
•Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
•Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.;
•Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers;
•Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Eligibility criteria

Age

27 – 80

Nationality

Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.

Requirements

Required experience

5 years of experience in Pharmaceutical management. The Incumbent of this position is required to have minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in pharmaceutical management. Additional experience in logistics and inventory management of pharmaceuticals and medical equipment is an asset; Excellent written and spoken English ; Arabic desirable; Experience in a UN mission or large international organization an asset; Ability to learn and adapt quickly to the use of Umoja system used for requisitioning and management of mission’s assets; Solid computer skills, including full proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word etc.) and other IT applications and office technology equipment; Have a valid driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4×4 vehicles; Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System ; and Sound security awareness.

Area(s) of expertise

Health

Driving license

Manual transmission Required.

Languages

English, Level: Fluent, Desirable.

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in In Pharmacy or a registered Pharmacist with a university degree in Pharmacy.

Competencies and values

-Integrity and professionalism: high degree of personal initiative and willingness to accept wide responsibilities; ability to take ownership, and work independently under established procedures;
-Accountability: ability to operate in compliance with organisational rules and regulations;
-Planning, effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner, ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities;
-Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity and gender;
-Communication; proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills;
-Flexibility and willingness to live and work in hazardous and remote places, involving physical hardship and little comfort, and including possible extensive travel within the Mission area;.
-Commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards the UN core values

Other information

Living conditions and remarks

General: This assignment is based in the UNISFA Headquarters – Abyei – Sudan. Currently this duty station is designated as non-family. The rainy season lasts from late May until Mid-November, while the rest of the Year is hot and dry. The average rainy season temperature is 30°C and temperatures in the dry season average 37°C. Accommodation: Due to the security situation in Abyei, coupled with the fact that there are limited residential accommodation options in the community that meet UN security and safety standards for staff, expatriate UN staff deployed to Abyei are generally provided secured UN accommodation in a camp-style environment. The UN-provided accommodation is equipped with minimum room furniture and is configured as either single or shared rooms with shared bath and toilet facilities. Power and water (including purified water) is provided inside the camp by the UN. A reasonable cost recovery for accommodation is made from VLA. Food and Diet: There is a UN managed cafeteria inside the UN Camp in Abyei. Wide varieties of food are not available and may not be to the personal taste of UNVs.The UN managed PX inside the camp sells a limited variety of fresh and dry food items as well as daily use items. Volunteers may wish to cook their own meals in common kitchen facilities situated at convenient locations within the camp. This would require the volunteer to obtain basic cooking items such as saucepans, fry pans, plates, knives, etc. Health: UN Volunteers should be aware that they could be exposed to a number of tropical diseases and should complete all medical formalities specified in the Offer or Travel Advisory before traveling. Yellow Fever vaccination is compulsory before coming to the mission area, while vaccinations for Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus/Diptheria, Polio and Meningitis are recommended if confirmed by the volunteer’s physician. UN Volunteers, like other international personnel, are to bring their Vaccination Card to the mission. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended. Due to large numbers of various types of insects in the mission area, it is also recommended to use insecticide-impregnated nets and insect repellants. UN personnel have access during working hours to a Civilian Clinic (Level 1) inside the UN Camp at Abyei and 24-hour access to a fully operational military hospital (Level 2) within same camp at Abyei. Rest and Recuperation: International personnel in UNISFA, including UN volunteers, are entitled to a 6 -week Rest and Recuperation (R&R) cycle. This means that after every 6 weeks of being in the mission area, the volunteer is entitled to take a break in either Entebbe (UNISFA designated R & R location) or any other destination outside the mission area. The entitlement is 5 calendar days R&R and 2 travel days. The UN flight from Abyei or any other deployed site in the mission area to Entebbe can be used for free (return flight). However, personnel are responsible for their accommodation, meals and any other expenses while on R&R. R & R trips must be approved by the supervisor. https://www.unv.org/.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.