E-DRUG: MSF Vacancy - Vaccines and Special Project Pharmacist
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Vaccines and Special Project Pharmacist
Medecins Sans Frontieres - Access Campaign
Terms of reference
Title: Vaccines and Special Project Pharmacist
Based: India (New Delhi) with a short (up to 2 months) induction period in key European locations
Duration: Fixed term 2 years @ 100%
Starting date: July 2013
BACKGROUND
The Access Campaign was started in 1999 and is an international project of
Medecins Sans Frontieres. It aims to improve access to, and stimulate
development of, medicines, diagnostics and vaccines that could have a major
impact on morbidity and mortality in contexts where MSF works. The Access
Campaign challenges external medical-political actors in order to overcome
barriers identified by practitioners in MSF programmes and those practicing
in similar environments. To this end, the Campaign aims to influence
international policies relevant to improving access and stimulating
innovation.
The priorities of the Access Campaign are guided by the medical challenges
faced by MSF's operations. The aim is to improve medical practice in
resource-limited settings by accessing new tools (drugs, diagnostics and
vaccines) that can change the organisation's medical practice.
Access Campaign Pharmacist
The Access Campaign Pharmacist supports the pharmaceutical activities of
the Access Campaign on key vaccines and on special projects aims at
investigating access barriers to targeted product categories. The main
focus of the Pharmacist's work will be to manage data collection and
analysis on key vaccines but will also include where the need arises other
priority pharmaceutical products that form the basis for advocacy on
sources, availability and prices. The Pharmacist plays a crucial role in
solving access problems of specific pharmaceutical products and in
maintaining contacts with pharmaceutical companies and identifying new
manufacturers for priority products. The Pharmacist works in close
collaboration with the different teams of the Access Campaign and the MSF
international pharmacist network. The Access Campaign Pharmacist reports to
the Access Campaign's Pharmaceutical Coordinator, based in Geneva.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES
1. Lead research and analysis on availability, prices, sources and access
policies of pharmaceutical companies for key vaccines and other selected
key medicines targeted by the MSF Access Campaign
a. Responsible for research, data collection and analysis on vaccine
sources and prices.
b. Participate to MSF procurement analysis and needs, including price
reduction negotiations for MSF field operations, access to specific
presentation access
c. Conduct landscaping of manufacturers with existing WHO prequalified
products and products under development (particularly in US, India,
Japan & China)
d. Research manufacturing capacity for key vaccines facing supply
shortages including for vaccine presentations preferred by
developing countries
e. Critically monitor and influence access policies of pharmaceutical
companies at a global level and their implementation in developing
countries.
2. Monitor regulatory statuses that allow timely approval of new key
vaccines and other pharmaceutical products targeted by the Access Campaign
a. Monitor and document the regulatory status of key vaccines products
in WHO prequalification and subsequent approval and use in selected
developing countries.
b. Maintain an overview of the prequalification status list for
vaccines including products in the pipeline
c. Follow up on international schemes for other biologic drugs,
immunoglobulins and liposomal formulations, as well on guidance
provided by Stringent Regulatory Authorities
3. Participate and provide input into the strategy and advocacy work of the
Access Campaign in relation to vaccines and pharmaceutical issues.
a. Respond to requests on price and other access barriers for
individual products; analyse barriers, in collaboration with other
Access Campaign team members propose strategies, and participate in
the implementation of strategies
b. Prepare and give presentations for internal and external meetings,
including international conferences related to access to medicine
issues.
c. Prepare documentation for MSF and external use on relevant
pharmaceutical products.
d. Provide technical input and review for the Access Campaign
communications team and other members of the Access Campaign
vaccines team needing support on publications, presentations and
press releases.
e. Maintain an external and internal network of relevant stakeholders,
including participation in the MSF Vaccines Working Group.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE
ESSENTIAL
· Degree in Pharmacy with at least 4 years post graduate experience,
including significant working experience in developing countries
· Proven experience of working independently under minimal supervision
· Accuracy in managing data
· Strong analytical skills
· Demonstrable experience of working as part of a multi-cultural team
· Fluency in written and oral English
· Availability for travel
DESIRABLE
· Field experience with MSF or a similar medical NGO
· Experience in Expanded Program of Immunization and/or immunization
campaigns
· Experience in other medical treatment projects
· Knowledge on medicines, vaccines and biologics' regulatory aspects
· Advocacy experience
· Knowledge of French or Spanish
Deadline for applications: 12 May 2013
Please submit all applications only by email to:
IO-recruitment.gva@msf.org with indicating 'Vaccines and Special
Project Pharmacist' in the title - Only short-listed candidates will
be contacted.
Joanna Keenan
Press Officer
Medecins Sans Frontieres - Access Campaign
E: joanna.keenan[at]geneva.msf.org
T: twitter.com/joanna_keenan
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