Location: Rio de Janeiro, Dakar, Nairobi, Brussels, or Kuala Lumpur

Contract: Full time (100%)

Duration: Open ended

Starting date: ASAP

Deadline to apply: 05.01.2024

Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing the contract.

I. MSF INTERNATIONAL

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 26 associations and 18 branch offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested

II. POSITION BACKGROUND

Access to Products for Healthcare (APH) is critical to MSF’s Social Mission. It refers to the accessibility, availability, affordability, appropriateness, and quality of products for healthcare for the populations MSF assists and their communities. MSF has been engaged in a wide variety of ways to improve APH in past decades.

In 2023, the MSF International Board approved the set-up of a new organisational model for APH work in MSF. A central part of this model is the creation of an international Structure that supports the APH agenda and is overseen by an Executive Board.

MSF pharmacists working in the medical departments of MSF’s operational centres, its European Supply Centres, and those who are based in regions close to MSF’s medical activities, are all part of the MSF Pharmacists Network. Its objectives include assuring quality of medicines used in MSF projects, facilitating access to treatments, and providing other pharmaceutical support. The International Pharmacist Coordinator (IPC) ensures coherence and collaboration of the network; provides strategic guidance and ensures implementation of international guidelines and procedures at all levels and sections

III. PLACE IN THE ORGANIZATION

The Pharmacist Advisor is part of the Analysis Department of MSF’s new access team, reporting to the Head of Analysis. S/he works in a multidisciplinary team of the Analysis Department consisting of experts on medical, pharmaceutical, legal and policy issues related to access to health products and technologies.

The Pharmacist Advisor will be in close contact and collaboration with the MSF Pharmacist’s Network, MSF European Supply Centres, with relevant members of MSF’s new access team, representing APH works on pharmaceutical issues in the Network

IV. OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION

• Supports the pharmaceutical activities of the APH on priority dossier and products, by developing market landscaping analysis for the identification of access barriers on priority dossiers and products,
• Engages with pharmaceutical companies and key funders, and advocates for addressing these barriers and needs.
• Supports the development and implementation of advocacy strategies to overcome access problems of priority dossiers and products.
• Provides technical support and advice to pharmaceutical issues of other APH related projects and activities in MSF, when required

V. MAIN REPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES

1. Lead research and analysis on availability, prices, sources and access policies of pharmaceutical companies for priority dossiers and products

• Responsible for research and market landscaping analysis to identify access barriers of agreed priority dossiers and products of annual plans and the Strategic Plan 2026-2031.
• Monitor and document the regulatory status of priority pharmaceutical products in selected developing (low income, and low-middle-income) countries to understand and help address the regulatory challenges in access.
• Engage with pharmaceutical companies and key funders and advocate for addressing these barriers and needs.
• Contribute to analysis of intellectual property licensing and technology transfer agreements and their impact on access to priority products and technologies, and where relevant – technical parameters necessary for tech transfer.
• Critically monitor access policies of pharmaceutical companies at a global level and their implementation in developing countries.
• In collaboration with APH colleagues and relevant MSF medical referents, identify and prioritise new formulations in need of development and adaptation (new fixed dose combinations, paediatric formulations, etc.), including long-acting formulations, heat-stable, etc.
• Document and regularly update of pharmaceutical related activities, including research, analysis, and technical supports, in line with the Knowledge and Information Management Guideline.
• Maintain an external and internal network of relevant stakeholders related to the main responsibilities.

2. Participate and provide input into the development and implementation of advocacy strategies in relation to priority dossiers, products and pharmaceutical issues.

• Provide technical support the development and implementation of targeted advocacy strategies in relation to specific products and technologies.
• Prepare and give presentations for internal and external meetings, including international and regional conferences related to access to medicine/vaccine issues.
• Prepare documentations for MSF and external use on priority dossiers and products.
• Provide technical input and review for APH publications, presentations, communication deliverables.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements