Position: Pharmacy Technician

Application Deadline: August, 04/2023 

Organization Setting and Reporting

ECA's mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063.

The mission is guided by ECA's five strategic directions which are: advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent's problems and take local solutions to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic

diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure, and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues.

The position is located in the Division of Administration, United Nations Health Care Center, at the UN Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The incumbent will report to the Chief Medical Officer or designated Official.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Assistant Pharmacist at this level will be responsible for the following duties:

I-Dispensing & Securing Availability of Drugs and Medical Supplies.

• Develops and maintain a system for ongoing inspections of drug safety in UNHCC.

• Offers day-to-day advice on pharmaceutical issues including evaluating different antibiotics for impact on the local microbiological situation.

• Secures the proper usage of Antibiotics to prevent unnecessary influence on the ecological balance.

• Dispenses medicines and supplies prescribed by physicians and dentists.

• Providing accurate instructions regarding dosage, administration, and possible side effects to the beneficiaries (patients or caregivers).

• Substitutes, as appropriate, comparable drugs with trade names after informing the prescribing physician.

• Regularly informs Prescribing Physicians on the stock availability and maintains an inventory system for timely procurement of medications/supplies and avoid shortages.

• Responds to inquiries regarding content, dosage regimen review, storage and disposal. -Monitor drug interactions, allergies, and contraindications.

• Maintains stringent handling and recording of narcotics and affiliated drugs.

• Ensures a continuous supply of antiretroviral drugs. -Notify physicians and the Chief Pharmacist about drugs with short shelf life.

• Maintains supplies and ensures the security of drugs in the treatment room, night emergency, and ICU cabinet. -Inspects facilities where medications are kept such as the ICU cabins, treatment room, mobile emergency box and ambulance.

II-Electronic Pharmacy Inventory system handling and procurement of pharmaceuticals through Umoja

• Provides the necessary information, enters data and updates it daily and creates requisitions in Umoja.

• Organizes the Category of Drugs following the pharmacological classification and the pharmaceutical forms.

• Creates database for suppliers both locally and internationally and ensures that they are registered in the global market system.

• Produces a report on consumption, availability, patient history and transfer for each category.

• Handles the electronic pharmacy inventory system and other expense entry system

• Submits a complete expense entry report every month.

• Obtains technical clearance from UNMSS for pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in time to process requisitions

III-Stock Handling and Providing Information

• Advises the medical team and works with the chief pharmacist in the specification of drugs to be requisitioned and offers a prudent scale of issue for the planning of re-supply for the upcoming year.

• Updates the medical team on new developments in production, interaction, and eventual withdrawal of drugs and reagents from the market.

• Disposes of expired drugs according to relevant rules with concerned Units and documents this.

• Follows up on and recommends WHO guidelines on malaria prophylaxis and other travel-related supplies.

• Monitors stock of drugs, chemical reagents, and supplies; and keeps an accurate balance and informs the chief pharmacist regularly.

• Provides technical assistance to medical team respecting always confidentiality.

• Compiles the requisitions from each Unit, Dental, Laboratory, treatment, Radiology, Fever clinic & UN clinic (Dollo ado, Gambella, Shire & Mekelle) for the preparation of the annual budget.

IV-Preparation of Annual Budget and Annual Inventory

• Conducts stringent annual inventory of drugs and medical supplies. Participates in the preparation of the annual supply chain planning using the planning tool.

• Prepares annual budget for medicines and supplies,

• Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making.

• Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures.

Competencies

Professionalism: - Knowledge and hands-on experience in pharmaceutics. Basic training in drug supply management and rational drug use. Knowledge of major electronic pharmaceutical inventory tools and ability to use them with solid computer skill. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making.

Planning and organizing: - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies, identifies priority activities and assignments, adjusts priorities as required, allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work, foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary, uses time efficiently.

Technological Awareness: - Keeps abreast of available technology, and understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to the appropriate task. Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

• A high school diploma and a diploma in Pharmaceutical Studies of equivalent is required. National registration is required. First-level University degree in Pharmaceutical Science is an advantage.

Job-Specific Qualification

• National registration and license in Pharmaceutical Science are required.

Work Experience

• A minimum of Seven (7) years of progressive working experience as a Pharmacist is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.

How to Apply

• Register using THIS LINK