Pharmacist at Care Best Initiative (CBI)

Care Best Initiative (CBI) is a fast-growing, woman-led, and youth-driven Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded in 2019 and presently operational in states within North-East, Nigeria. Our objectives are to save lives, alleviate the suffering of children, women, and other vulnerable people; and maintain human dignity during and in the aftermath of man-made crises and natural disasters; as well as to prevent and strengthen preparedness for the occurrence of such situations; and to promote the right of children, women and vulnerable people in the society. Our actions are multi-sectorial inclined, gender-sensitive, and socially inclusive. Care Best Initiative (CBI) is a government-registered and recognized woman-led and youth-driven national Non-Governmental Organization (NNGO) founded in 2019. Our mission is to save lives, alleviate the suffering of most vulnerable children, adolescents (lower and older), young people, women, and People with Disabilities (PWD); to maintain human dignity during and in the aftermath of man-made crises and natural disasters, among those affected by them; as well as to prevent and strengthen preparedness for the occurrence of such situation, and to promote their rights in the society.

We have implemented various donor and self-funded projects/activities in several areas of humanitarian needs among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities.  We are actively present in Northeast (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Bauchi States) and Northwest (Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi states) Nigeria. CBI employs a multi-sectorial stakeholder-engagement and community-inclusion approach to the implementation of all her programs and activities and is well experienced in advocacy, influencing awareness creation, and behavioural change programming. Our thematic areas of operations cut across sectors like Health (FP, SRH, HIV/AIDS & RI), Education, Nutrition (CMAM, MIYCN), Protection (GBV, Child Protection, GE&I), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Food Security & Livelihood (FSL) among others with the objectives to improve access to basic and reproductive health services, and support distressed families. We also facilitate developmental programs, such as stakeholders’ advocacy campaigns against systemic and deep-rooted gender inequalities and barriers that will improve the socio-economic status of the most vulnerable (including orphans, PLWHA, PWDs, out-of-school children, Almajiri students, and Islamiyya students), promote infrastructural and environmental development, and promote equitable gender and social activities in communities.

As our activities are also aimed at strengthening the resilience of the most vulnerable and building their capacity and self-reliance through education, sensitization, and awareness creation, CBI works in partnership with the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Health as well as other relevant line-ministries for implementation. CBI also partners with other local and international partners and is an active member of several Clusters, working groups, and CSO Networks in all her states of operation and at the national level is a member of the Coalition of NGOs in Nigeria.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Pharmacist

Location: Mafa, Ngala LGA - Borno
Employment Type: Contract (1 year, with possibility of extension)
Region: Northeast, Nigeria
Reports to: Health Coordinator
Responsible for: Delivering CBI Health program
Department: Program (Health)
Vacancy: 1

Job Summary

• The Pharmacist will be responsible for overseeing the supply chain and management of pharmaceutical and medical commodities in health facilities supported by a humanitarian health project in North-eastern Nigeria.
• This role includes managing health and nutrition supplies, ensuring proper stock management, and maintaining the availability of essential medications and therapeutic products, especially for acute malnutrition and primary healthcare services.
• The Pharmacist will work closely with healthcare workers to ensure that supplies are used appropriately and that services are delivered efficiently.
• Additionally, the Pharmacist will ensure that the health facilities maintain compliance with national and international pharmaceutical guidelines.
• The Pharmacist is expected to have experience managing health and nutrition supplies in emergency settings, particularly in facilities providing outpatient therapeutic programs (OTPs) and stabilization centres (SCs) for acute malnutrition.

Job Description / Principal Accountabilities
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management:

• Oversee the management of pharmaceutical and nutrition commodities in supported health facilities, ensuring that supplies are available, tracked, and properly stored.
• Ensure accurate forecasting and timely procurement of essential medications, therapeutic food, and nutrition supplements for the treatment of acute malnutrition and other health conditions.
• Implement and maintain an efficient stock management system, including the use of electronic records where applicable, to track inventory levels and usage patterns.
• Coordinate the distribution of medical supplies across multiple health facilities, ensuring that OTPs and SCs have the necessary supplies to manage acute malnutrition and other medical conditions.
• Ensure proper storage of pharmaceuticals and nutrition products according to international standards to preserve their efficacy and safety.
• Monitor stock levels and prevent stock outs by facilitating timely resupply of commodities in coordination with procurement teams and warehouse staff.

Health and Nutrition Supplies Management:

• Ensure that all health and nutrition-related commodities, including drugs, medical supplies, medical equipment, ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) and other nutritional supplements, are available and distributed in accordance with clinical guidelines for malnutrition management.
• Work closely with health and nutrition teams to ensure proper use of supplies in stabilization centres and outpatient therapeutic programs.
• Support the development of a nutrition supply chain management plan to ensure consistent availability of key therapeutic foods and medicines for malnutrition treatment.
• Collaborate with warehouse staff to track shipments, manage stock levels, and ensure the integrity of supplies in emergency settings.

Technical Support and Capacity Building:

• Provide training and technical support to healthcare workers on the proper use of pharmaceuticals, therapeutic products, and nutrition supplies.
• Train health facility staff on drug storage, handling, and stock management procedures, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards.
• Mentor pharmacy assistants and other relevant staff to build their capacity in inventory management, pharmaceutical dispensing, and accurate reporting.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with national and international pharmaceutical guidelines, including WHO and local government regulations on the management of medical commodities.
• Implement and enforce protocols to maintain the safety, quality, and efficacy of all pharmaceutical products used in the health facilities.
• Work with local authorities to ensure that all medications are registered, approved for use, and procured through authorized channels.

Coordination and Reporting:

• Collaborate with health facility managers and other stakeholders to ensure that pharmaceutical and nutrition supplies are distributed equitably across facilities.
• Maintain strong communication with procurement teams and external suppliers to ensure continuous resupply and avoid stock outs, especially during emergency situations.
• Prepare and submit regular reports on stock usage, inventory levels, and supply chain performance to the project management team.
• Work with Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) officers to ensure accurate tracking of health and nutrition supplies for reporting and auditing purposes.
• Carry out any other task as requested by the line manager.

Job Holder Entry Requirements
Knowledge (Education & Related Experience):

• Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy. Licensed by the appropriate regulatory body.
• At least 2 years post NYSC experience in pharmaceutical management, including managing health and nutrition supplies in emergency settings within health facilities.
• Proven experience in stock management, procurement, and supply chain systems in low-resource or humanitarian settings.
• Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical protocols for the treatment of acute malnutrition, maternal and child health, and communicable diseases.
• Experience working in humanitarian projects is an advantage.

Skills (Special Training or Competence):

• Ability to observe and understand cultural and social contexts and reflect the understandings in programming
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills
• Strong community engagement and facilitation skill
• Ability to infuse positive energy to the team
• Attention to detail, keen at following procedures and meeting deadlines
• Ability to organize tasks simultaneously and prioritize work
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills working with cross cultural and multi diverse teams
• Ability to build strong working relationships for partnerships
• Standards of Professional Conduct especially on integrity, service, and accountability.

Key Behaviors:

• Interpersonal and intercultural sensitivity.
• Social and receptive (active listener).
• High degree of integrity.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of the team, as the situation dictates.
• Pro-active and ready to take initiative.
• Ability to assimilate and handle a wide range of information efficiently and effectively.
• High level of stress tolerance and ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision.
• Willingness to undertake extensive field trip within the project working area.

Key Relationships(excluding own line manager and staff):
Internal:

• Program Coordinator
• Finance and Support Services team
• Various staff based in all CBI core departments, as and when necessary (e.g. funding, MEAL, finance, logistics and procurement, etc.).

External:

• Partners
• Consultants
• Service Providers/Stakeholders (Other NGOs)
• Government agencies
• Community leaders/CBOs.

Application Closing Date
Thursday; 31st October, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Only applications submitted online will be reviewed
• Only one application email should be submitted as multiple submissions will be tantamount to automatic disqualification
• The deadline for submissions is Thursday, October 31st, However, applications submitted before this date will be reviewed on a rolling basis
• By submitting your Application for this position you agreed to CBI ZERO Tolerance to:
  • Fraud
  • Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, Abuse, and Child Abuse
• Our employees enjoy a work culture that promotes diversity and inclusion.
• Care Best Initiative (CBI) provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
• Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.