E-DRUG: vacancy: Canadian Essential Drugs Management Consultant
---------------------------------------------------------------
UNHCR is looking for a suitably qualified Canadian Consultant or Consulting Firm for an Essential Drugs Management Consultancy for four months from March - July 2005 to institutionalise Essential Drugs Supply Management Systems in UNHCR and partners. The position is based in Headquarters in Geneva, with international travel for one regional workshop. Terms of Reference are below.
Insterested applicants should send CV, cover letter and completed P11 to Ms Laureen Yustina at yustina@unhcr.ch .
Deadline for applications is 31 January 2005.
Further information can be obtained from Dr Nadine Ezard, Senior Public Health Officer, Technical Support Section, Division of Operational Support, UNHCR, 94, rue de Montbrilland, Geneva 1202, Switzerland, telephone +41 22 739 8955 or email ezard@unhcr.ch .
Terms of reference
Project Title: Institutionalising an Essential Drugs Management system for UNHCR and partners
Duration: 4 months, March 05 - July 05
Duty station: Geneva, Switzerland, with travel
General Background and Rationale:
1. In 2003, UNHCR provided protection to approximately 20 million refugees and other persons of concern. Provision of comprehensive health care services in refugee settings is essential as population displacement and overcrowding are associated with increased risk of communicable disease transmission and excess mortality. Refugee health care systems are based on the concept of Primary Health Care (PHC) through which essential health care is made accessible to individuals, families and the community.
2. Health service provision is provided to refugees and other populations of concern through Implementing Partners (IPs, directly funded by UNHCR) and Operational Partners (OPs, with other sources of funding). Provision of supplies and equipment necessary for preventive and curative health care is carried out through a variety of mechanisms: centrally through UNHCR headquarters (HQ), nationally through Ministry of Health central pharmacies, and on the local market.
4. Centrally, UNHCR has developed an Essential Drugs List (EDL) to meet the immediate minimum drug needs for a basic refugee health care system. The Essential Drugs Manual that accompanies the EDL, giving partners guidelines on how to manage drug supply is presently under revision.
3. However, drug ordering from countries in which UNHCR works is not always appropriate or efficient, and is not standardised. There is a need to address a range of poor drug supply management issues including poor prescribing practices, purchase of drugs of uncertain quality, orders unrelated to actual needs, poor drug storage and distribution practices, and irrational drug prescribing practice. In addition, local purchase may not be indicated, and there is limited data on stock ruptures, wastage, and other supply management elements.
Project objective:
To establish a global essential drugs supply management system for UNHCR.
Expected impact of project:
1.Improved reporting of standard drug supply management data
2.Reduced drug supply wastage (UNHCR and partners)
a.Reduced procurement from unreliable sources
b.Improved quantification based on population needs / consumption data
c.More timely placing of orders
d.Improved storage, distribution, monitoring and supervision
Description of Duties:
-Update UNHCR policy/procedures on essential drugs supply management incorporated into programme and supplies management systems (including revisions to procurement guidelines in the UNHCR manual, Chapter 8, as appropriate), based on the revised Essential Drugs Manual.
-Develop a framework and guidelines for establishing drug supply management committees
-Devise a strategy for disseminating policy/procedures and implementing recommendations among Implementing Partners and UNHCR personnel, based upon the Essential Drugs Manual dissemination strategy.
-Conduct one pilot workshop with partners and UNHCR programme, procurement and health personnel to test and finalise materials. Pilot country will be selected on the basis of requests from the programmes and partners, annual budget, and auditors reports.
Qualifications required:
Education: University degree in Pharmacy, Nursing, Medicine, Public health, or related discipline essential. Additional training or qualifications in Essential Drugs Management, Public Health, Health Management, or related discipline desirable.
Experience: At least 3 years experience in essential drugs supply management in under-developed countries; and experience in refugee settings essential. Experience with UNHCR and/or partners; and in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia desirable.
Skills and competencies: Systems development, management, communications, and training.
Languages: Excellent written and oral English language skills.