Senior Pharmacist Consultancy Consultancy

Job Title: Senior Pharmacist Consultancy

Reports To: Medical Director

Department: Pharmacy

Duration: 9 Months

Location: Kigutu, Burundi

Background

Village Health Works (VHW) is a 501(c)(3) corporation. It is a social justice organization founded on the belief that health equity is not a commodity but a right. Founded in partnership with the communities we currently serve, VHW’s mission is to provide the neediest high quality, compassionate health care and education based on critical thinking in a dignified environment. VHW’s holistic approach integrates clinical services with education, food security, economic development, environmental protection, music and the arts. In the context of where we currently work, this is the only way we can sustainably end extreme, multigenerational scarcity in a way that uplifts and engages communities with dignity and in their own context. We believe that the lack of access to quality healthcare and education is the biggest threat to development and world peace.

Currently VHW operates in a wide array of clinical and community programs in a catchment area of over 200,000 people within the provinces of Rumonge and Bururi, though its doors are open for every patient regardless of where that patient is coming from. Our first clinic attends over 51,000 outpatient consultations per year. Since 2007 until summer 2023, our 60-bed inpatient wards have been providing basic adult and pediatric non-operative inpatient services including treatment of malnutrition, mental health, chronic and acute diseases and uncomplicated obstetrical deliveries. These services have been administered by our staff of generalist physicians under the supervision of our current Medical Director.

Village Health Works has embarked on a plan to expand our clinical services to provide comprehensive quality medical care and training. To achieve this goal, VHW has constructed and officially opened an 85,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art teaching hospital with several services that include surgery, obstetric deliveries, intensive care, pediatrics and neonatology, emergency, pathology lab, medical education and research center, etc.To provide excellent patient care and training we must expand the scope and skills of the healthcare providers through training, teaching and research, hiring through rigorous development and implementation of systems and structures, policies and procedures that are framed by high quality norms and international standards.

Additionally, VHW has established the Kigutu International Academy, a grade 9-12 boarding school to equip young minds with an education based on critical thinking to prepare them to become the leaders we wish their country and the continent to have for a better future.

Our core values are as follows:

● Every member of VHW’s team must value the dignity inherent in each individual, aspire to excellence in all we do, proceed with boldness and perseverance.

● Compassion and justice must be at the heart of our organization.

● To accomplish the mission of our organization we all must be accountable to each other and to our community.

1. Scope of Work

The Senior Pharmacist shall provide expert services in developing and implementing a centralized pharmacy system at Kigutu Hospital and Women’s Health Pavilion in collaboration with the national staff pharmacists, procurement team and inventory teams. The Senior Pharmacist will also enhance the management capacity of the national pharmacy staff to ensure a seamless transition at the conclusion of the contract term. The Senior Pharmacists responsibilities shall include, but are not limited to:

A. Pharmacy System Development & Operations Management:

• Develop and implement in collaboration with procurement and inventory team a centralized pharmacy system, including procurement, storage, dispensing, and distribution of medications.
• Establish and refine monthly inventory management processes to monitor, forecast, and maintain adequate medication supply, minimizing stock outs and expirations.
• Collaborate with procurement and logistics teams to ensure a transparent and efficient supply chain for medications and medical materials.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all pharmacy-related activities.
• Establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to assess and improve pharmacy operations.
• Ensure compliance with national and international regulations regarding procurement, storage, and disposal of medications.
• Collaborate with the Medical team and logistics team to define, organize, and manage the stock pre-positioned in the project for emergency preparedness
• Ensure a streamlined supply process for medical materials and medicines, ensuring alignment with international best practices.
• Collaborate closely with the Pharmacy Manager and Pharmacist to oversee all pharmacy operations while strengthening their capacity and supporting their professional development.
• Supervise and monitor pharmacy activities in different departments to maintain consistency and quality.

B. Medication Management & Safety:

• Optimize medication use by working closely with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals.
• Implement medication safety protocols to reduce errors and improve patient outcomes.
• Develop guidelines for rational medication use, including antibiotic stewardship initiatives.
• Monitor and evaluate prescriptions and medication usage to ensure adherence to best practices.
• Ensure alignment between consumption and prescriptions to minimize misuse of medications.
• Support data collection for monitoring and surveillance of medicine use, restricted antibiotic reviews, and pharmaceutical care plans.

C. Staff Capacity Building & Development:

• Provide structured training and mentorship for the national pharmacy staff, including pharmacists, pharmacy managers, and pharmacy technicians.
• Strengthen leadership, operational, and technical skills to ensure sustainable pharmacy management post-engagement.
• Conduct performance evaluations and identify areas for professional growth.
• Develop and implement a continuous learning framework for pharmacy personnel.
• Participate in workforce planning, recruitment, and training of new pharmacy staff.
• Ensure all new staff members are given proper training on project objectives and pharmacy operations.
• Organize and lead regular team meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and improvements.

D. Regulatory Compliance & Quality Assurance:

• Ensure adherence to all local, national, and international pharmaceutical regulations and policies.
• Implement proper documentation, reporting, and audit procedures for regulatory compliance.
• Establish and train staff on proper cold chain management, storage conditions, and medication disposal protocols.
• Conduct routine pharmacy audits to assess and enhance service quality.
• Manage, in collaboration with logistics team the disposal of expired medications in compliance with national and international standards.
• Ensure the traceability of narcotics and psychotropic drugs per local regulations.
• Obtain import authorizations from national authorities and assist with customs clearance procedures.
• Represent VHW with national regulatory bodies concerning pharmaceutical supply and compliance matters

E. Patient Education & Training Programs:

• Develop and implement a pharmacy-led patient counseling program.
• Provide training sessions for healthcare staff on drug interactions, medication adherence, and patient communication.
• Promote patient-centered care through improved pharmacy engagement.
• Provide technical support to the Medical Director on pharmaceutical policies, regulations, and best practices.
• Ensure rational and safe medication dispensing practices.

2. Confidentiality

The Senior Pharmacist agrees to maintain confidentiality regarding all Client information and proprietary data acquired in the course of this engagement.

3. Handover and Final Deliverables

• By the end of the engagement, the Senior Pharmacist shall:
• Ensure the national pharmacy staff has the skills and knowledge to independently manage pharmacy operations.
• Provide a comprehensive handover report detailing SOPs, training conducted, and key recommendations for sustainability.
• Ensure all established systems and protocols are fully functional and documented.

4. Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree of Pharmacy or Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from an accredited institution.
• Valid pharmacy license in the applicable jurisdiction
• Proven experience as a pharmacist in a supervisory or managerial role.
• Strong knowledge of pharmacy practices, medication management, and pharmaceutical regulations.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with healthcare professionals, patients, and pharmacy staff.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to maintaining accurate and organized records.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time efficiently, and work effectively under pressure.
• Familiarity with pharmacy software systems and technology used in pharmacy operations.
• Commitment to professional development and staying updated with the latest developments in pharmacy practice.

Languages/Other skills

• Speaks French/English, Kirundi and or Swahili is an advantage
• Essential computer literacy (word,advanced excel)

Tagged as: Burundi, Village Health Works