Pharmacist
From training national staff how to store and manage lifesaving medications through to ensuring enough medications are flown in to tackle sudden malaria outbreaks, MSF pharmacists ensure that essential medicines are there when they are needed, well managed, transported and stored appropriately.
Responsibilities
As a pharmacist working with Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), you will work closely with locally and internationally hired MSF colleagues to ensure good pharmaceutical practices and adherence to national rules. You will be responsible for the quality, appropriateness and smooth coordination of the medical supply lines, including the storage, distribution and ordering of drugs and medical equipment. You will analyze consumption and medical data, and advise on local purchases, drug disposal and medical donations. As a pharmacist you will supervise colleagues dealing with the daily management of drugs and medical equipment.
Requirements
- Full and current registration
- Minimum two years relevant post-qualification work experience
- Experience in supply management organization of stocks
- Experience in managing staff in a multicultural team (supervision and training)
- Fluency in English and French (Intermediate+, minimum level B2 in both). Refer to this evaluation grid . Other languages such as Spanish, Arabic, and Portuguese are valued, but not required.
- Relevant travel or work experience in contexts similar to where MSF works (armed conflicts, disasters, public health emergencies or situations of healthcare exclusion)
- Available to work six to 12 months
Assets
- Relevant experience in hospital settings or remote locations
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (especially Excel)
MSF Core Competencies
- Behaviour flexibility: Level 2
- Adapts behaviour to the needs of the situation
- Teamwork and cooperation: Level 2
- Shares information and coordinates with team and others
- Result and quality orientation: Level 2
- Works towards objectives, preserving established standards
- Commitment to MSF principles: Level 1
- Demonstrates knowledge of and accepts MSF’s principles
- People management: Level 2
- Gives feedback and sets limits
- Cross-cultural awareness: Level 3
- Demonstrates an integrating attitude
- Stress management: Level 2
- Manages own stress
- Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI): Level 1
- Familiarity with EDI concepts and their application in a humanitarian context
Familiarity with EDI concepts and their application in a humanitarian context
To find out more about MSF core competencies, please look here.
You can find a comprehensive view of MSF career paths here.
Before you apply
As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, it is essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.
Security and Safety
Because Doctors Without Borders’ purpose is to bring medical assistance to people in distress, the work may occur in settings of active conflict, or in post-conflict environments, in which there are inherent risks, potential danger and ongoing threats to safety and security. MSF acknowledges that it is impossible to exclude all risks, but it does its utmost as an organization to mitigate and manage these risks through strict and comprehensive security protocols.
Please watch this video for information on how MSF manages security.
International staff will be fully informed of the risk associated with a potential assignment before accepting a particular posting. Working for MSF is a deeply personal choice; individuals must determine for themselves the level of risk and the circumstances in which they feel comfortable, based on a full and transparent understanding of the possibilities they may face. Once in the assignment, all MSF staff must strictly observe security rules and regulations; failure to do so may result in dismissal.
Terms of Employment
MSF staff are employees with a salary and benefits. See more information on the terms of employment.
MSF encourages the completion of multiple assignments. There are many possibilities for professional growth within the organization, into the medical, non-medical and coordination streams. For more information on learning and development as well as career opportunities with MSF, see our FAQ.
Final Thoughts
As you consider applying to undertake an MSF assignment, is it essential that you have a well-informed and realistic personal reflection. Assignments often mean long hours with a heavy workload, basic living conditions, and working and living in often chaotic and volatile environments.
Despite such challenges, thousands of people have worked with MSF over the years and found their experiences in the field to be deeply rewarding, even life-changing. More than anything else, being an MSF international worker means acting in solidarity with people facing unimaginable medical challenges. Your presence alongside people in times of need sends a profoundly meaningful and human message: “You are not forgotten.”
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STEP 1 - REQUIREMENTS CHECK
Answer all our requirement questions below:
STEP 2 - APPLICATION FORM
Please upload your CV in PDF format and reply to the questions below instead of submitting a cover letter.