District Pharmacist

POSITION:                                      District Pharmacist 

LOCATION:                                  UGU District 

SUPERVISOR:                             Assistant Program Manager

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:           Fixed Term Contract 

CONTRACT DURATION:      (01 September 2023 – 31 March 2025)

Isibani Development Partners is a South African-registered NGO, launched in 2011 to become a leading local technical assistance provider, systems strengthening and grants manager for health and social service in Southern Africa. Isibani has been appointed by the National Department of Health to serve as one of the Sub-Recipients (SRs) for the GLOBAL FUND TB/HIV Program in King Cetshwayo (KZN), Ekurhuleni (Gauteng) and UGU districts, from 01 April 2022 to 31 March 2025.  Isibani seeks to appoint a District Pharmacist. The position will be based at UGU district level.

Job Overview:

The role of the District Pharmacist (DP)is to provide overall coordination of the pharmaceutical services with particular focus on TB and adjuvant medicines. The DP will work closely with the District Pharmacist and report directly to the Assistant Program Manager at District level who will monitor day to day activities and approve timesheets. This position requires a good understanding of the medicine quantification, procurement, and supply chain management systems to ensure reliable procurement, storage, control, and distribution of quality medicines. 

Key Responsibilities Include:

Technical / Management

1. Develop overall district work plan with clear roles, responsibilities, outputs and timeframes in collaboration with the District Pharmacist

2. Supervise pharmacy assistants at facility level.

3. Monitor stock levels and ordering patterns by health facilities.

4. Ensure adequate stock levels for TB medicines and facilitate redistribution of stock when shortages occur.

5. Monitor implementation of drug management policies and standard operating procedures in the district

6. Provide mentoring and in service training on stock management for TB medicines (DS-TB, TPT and DR-TB).

7. Support the implementation of a pharmacovigilance system (PVIMS)in the district.

8. Support the re packaging of the Rifapentine and Isoniazid for 3HP implementation in the district.

9. Facilitate rational use of TB medicines. 

10. Support the implementation of the CCMDD SOP for TB 

11. Support the implementation of the stock visibility system in the district.

12. Identify, address, and escalate potential risks, barriers to effective implementation.

13. Provide progress reports in district meetings and participate in DHMT meetings. 

14. Report daily or weekly to the district project/ programme manager, or as per organizations policies and procedure. 

15. Submit monthly activity reports as per workplan to the Assistant Programme Manager, district Pharmacist and TB manager.

Required Knowledge, skills and abilities.

1. Excellent understanding of the National Drug policy, Good Pharmacy Practice

2. Sound knowledge of the Pharmacy Act and the Medicine and Related Substances Control Act

3. Good project management skills. 

4. Good analytical and problem-solving skills

5. Good communication skills (both interpersonal and written) 

6. Good training/ facilitation skills

7. Excellent report writing skills.

8. Good IT skills and understanding of existing information systems used in pharmaceutical services.

9. Good understanding of the public sector medicine procurement, supply chain and distribution system

10. Ability to function effectively under pressure, work independently and to take initiative.

11. Willingness to conduct other duties as may be requested by the District Pharmacist or Manager.

Qualification and Experience

1. An appropriate national diploma/degree accredited with the South African Pharmacy Council that allows for registration with the SAPC. 

2. Current registration with the SAPC.

3. At least 3 years’ experience in pharmaceutical services

4. Experience in administration and management.

5. Valid driver’s license. 

          Suitable candidates to send applications to: applications@isibani.org.za

                     Please Note: Please specify the below reference number on the subject line of your email for a quicker response.

Please indicate reference number on the subject line: UGU DP 002

                            Closing date: Friday, 26 April 2024

                          Kindly note only shortlisted candidates will be notified.