Pharmacy Assistant

Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and non-religious international aid organization. Our teams are committed to supporting civilians’ victims of marginalization and exclusion, or hit by natural disasters, wars and economic collapses, by answering their fundamental needs. Our aim is to provide emergency relief to uprooted people in order to help them recover their dignity and regain self-sufficiency. 

PUI works in 10 areas of intervention and distinguishes itself by the implementation of an integrated approach in its response. This method aims to identify and understand the needs of all those affected by a crisis. Our teams come together to bring a rapid global response to the basic needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises to help them regain independence and dignity. 

PUI in Ethiopia:

Following the north Ethiopia conflict which erupted in 2020 and the reports of recurrent drought which is affecting the life and livelihood of millions in different regions of Ethiopia, PUI decided to contribute its part to address the humanitarian needs triggered by both manmade and natural disasters. PUI has been registered with FDRE Authority for Civil Society Organization (ACSO) since June 22, 2022, to enable the organization to operate legally in the country.

Since then, PUI has been providing humanitarian assistance in Afar and Benishangul Gumuz Regional States addressing the needs of population affected by both manmade and natural disasters. The organization has been exploring the potential gaps in terms of humanitarian assistance in the regions where it is currently intervening and other regions. 

PUI is also actively looking for more partners to respond to more humanitarian needs in other regions of the country which were affected by conflict and natural disasters.   

General Assignments / Scope of the Role:

This role will handle pharmacy related operations for the emergency response and will supervise and manage stock at the different health facilities that PUI supported, under the supervision of the PM/DPM and technical support of Mission Pharmacist.

The main responsibilities of this post will consist of supervising the receiving, warehousing and dispatch of supplies at Premiere Urgence Internationale supported health facilities and central warehouse (as required). She/He will ensure good warehousing and distribution practices are implemented, efficient and effective stock management, accurate record keeping and, proper and adequate documentation of stock records.

Specific Objectives and Associated Activities: 

Receiving:

• Liaise with logistics team and mission pharmacist to receive shipment notifications and supporting documents timely for proper planning of warehouse space and resources to receive supplies.
• Acknowledge receipt of medicine and medical devices in good order and condition using appropriate documentation (Waybills, Delivery Notes, PUI Goods-Received-Note and Packing Lists).
• Count and record the quantity to ensure appropriate documentation.
• Inspect the quality of items received and check for damaged items – damaged items will not be accepted and should be returned to the sending party.
• Cross-check quantities and tally with delivery documentation and expected quantities to be received.
• Supervise loading and offloading of trucks.
• Supervise casual workers.

Physical Organization of the Stores:

• Ensures that project’s pharmacies are organized and managed properly.
• Ensure that the storage conditions (i.e Temperature and Humidity) of the supported health facilities are as per the Good Storage Practice guidelines and report to the Mission Pharmacist on weekly basis.
• Ensure proper storage of commodities on pallets and that they don’t exceed maximum stacking height.
• Ensure proper organization and storage of the items by type, shipment, expiry dates and batch numbers.
• Separate damaged/expired stocks from good stock.

Stock Management:

• Ensuring adherence to relevant pharmaceutical guidelines and standards.
• Daily monitoring for expiry dates and quality problems and timely reporting to mission pharmacist of issues.
• Enter all data timely into stock and bin cards.
• Assist the Mission Pharmacist in preparation of weekly / monthly stock movement and Pharmacy report.
• Conduct cycle counts and mandatory spot checks in accordance with established procedures & schedules.
• Participate in planning of distributions and requisitioning of supplies.
• Review monthly consumption reports of the HFs, ensure submission on time and proper archiving (hard and soft copies).
• Support health facilities pharmacy staff in proper follow up of their monthly consumption record
• Anticipate the stockout issues in supported health facilities and communicate with mission pharmacist and project manager for solution 

Training and Capacity Building:

• Training local pharmacy staff and healthcare workers on proper medication handling and storage.
• Developing and implementing training programs on rational drug use and stock management.
• Providing supportive supervision and guidance to health facilities in the field.

Coordination and Communication:

• Working closely with the medical team and other stakeholders to ensure effective pharmaceutical services.
• Maintaining clear communication channels within the organization and with external partners.
• Reporting on stock levels, medication consumption and other relevant data.

Dispatch of Supplies:

• Pack commodities according to approved quantities and in proper condition based on means of transportation.
• Prepare waybills and packing list to be sent with each consignment.
• Enter all data of items leaving the store on stock cards and on stock movement.

Provide General Stock Management Support to all Projects

• Support PUI project staff on general stock management and distribution of supplies.
• Carry out other tasks as required by line manager.
• Support programme staff to forecast and request for supplies as efficiently as possible to ensure a fully functioning health commodity pipeline.

Emergency Response:

• Being prepared to respond to humanitarian emergencies and providing essential pharmaceutical services in crisis situations.
• Conducts need assessment, participates in the setup of new mobile clinics and pharmacies in case of emergency and defines how they should be run.
• Assisting with the distribution of medication and medical supplies in emergency settings.

The tasks and responsibilities defined in this job description are not exhaustive and can evolve depending on the project needs. The employee could be requested to perform other tasks as his/her Line Manager may judge necessary.

OUR COMMITMENTS

• Première Urgence Internationale sees diversity of nationalities, genders, beliefs, profiles and statuses among its Human Resources as a major asset for its humanitarian action, and therefore compels itself to the strict observance of the principle of non-discrimination throughout its recruitment process.  

• Première Urgence Internationale applies a policy of  zero tolerance towards exploitation, sexual abuse and mistreatment, in all its forms, of women, children and all other vulnerable persons. It engages all its staff to promote, disseminate and respect the principles set out in its ethical charter.

• Please note that Première Urgence Internationale shall not in any case request a financial contribution for administrative costs related to recruitment. Any such information would be fraudulent, please disregard it.

Country Office: Ethiopia

Work Base: Gilgel Beles, Benshangul Gumuz (BGRS)

Availability: As Soon As Possible

Salary Scale: As per the organization salary scale

Contract Duration: 6 months with possibility of extension

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Degree/Diploma in Pharmacy, or related field
• At least 2 years previous NGO experience
• Previous experience with other local and international NGOs
• Stock management and logistics experience.

Required Knowledge & Skills:

• Pack Office

• Computer literacy (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint).

Language:

• English and Amharic, any other local languages. 

Expected Personal Characteristics:

• Understanding of general commodity management best-practices.

• Ability to work in partnership with external key stakeholders.

• Good interpersonal skills.

• Ability to work within a team setting.

• Independence, adaptability and flexibility with good workload management, multitasking and ability to meet tight deadlines

• Excellent communication skills

How To Apply

If you are interested, please send your application composed of nonreturnable CV, Covering Letter with “Pharmacy Assistant” written in the subject line, and three references, applicants to the following address:

Through www.ethiojobs.net

Deadline: Saturday April 12, 2025

NB: Only short-listed applicants will be, communicated on and selection process includes technical test and an interview.

Female Candidates are Highly Encouraged to Apply