*Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and IPC Specialist, Pharmaceutical Services / Pharmaceutical Services, AMR, and IPC Specialist, Cameroon at Management Sciences for Health (MSH)*

Management Sciences for Health (MSH) is seeking an Antimicrobial Resistance (  AMR ) and Pharmaceutical Services IPC Specialist for a 5-year, USAID-funded Supply Chain and Pharmacy Management program in Cameroon, expected to be part of the NextGen Comp TA IDIQ Task Orders. The program will cover the following technical areas: HR Capacity Development, Governance and Policy, M&E, Pharmaceutical Management, Strategy and Planning, Supply Forecasting and Planning, Procurement, Warehousing and Logistics, Management Information Systems and Data Utilization. The objective is to provide comprehensive technical assistance to strengthen the health supply chain and pharmaceutical services at the national and sub-national levels in Cameroon, both of which are cornerstones for achieving critical life-saving priorities.

MSH saves lives and improves health by helping public and private organizations around the world effectively manage people, medicines, money, and information. Operating from more than 40 country offices and our headquarters in the United States, our staff from more than 70 nations are highly regarded for their technical expertise, integrity, and commitment to making a lasting difference in health. Our mission is to save lives and improve the health of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people by bridging the gap between knowledge and action in public health.

MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION

General responsibilities:

The Pharmaceutical Services, AMR and IPC Specialist will be responsible for implementing specific interventions to strengthen pharmaceutical services and AMR containment capacity in the country in collaboration with the Government of Cameroon, including pharmaceutical services, pharmacovigilance and patient safety, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) containment including antimicrobial stewardship (AMR), infection prevention and control (IPC), and medicines regulatory systems. He/she will be responsible for monitoring implementation and collecting data on evidence of improvement, particularly in the rational use of antimicrobials. The Pharmaceutical Services, AMR and IPC Specialist will lead the assigned interventions with a focus on strengthening the five components of pharmaceutical services capacity. These interventions will include antimicrobial resistance containment strategies at the subnational and facility levels. The Pharmaceutical Services, AMR and PCI Specialist reports to the Pharmaceutical Management Advisor and works closely with a team of technical staff to build local capacity to implement all aspects of the country’s pharmaceutical services system. The incumbent will ensure the implementation of AMR and PCI solutions, systems and innovations on the ground, in line with the provisions of the national AMR and PC plans.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical:

• •  Provide technical support to the Ministry of Health, the One Health AMR Coordination Platform and other ministries and public and private institutions in the project intervention areas for implementation regarding the strengthening of pharmaceutical management, in particular the capacity of the International Health Regulations (IHR) on AMR  and PCI and activities related to information systems; be aware of existing AMR/PCI efforts in the country, improve and streamline them and provide advice on efficiency gains and best practices, adapted to the local context of the country.
  •  Implement strategies to optimize the use and consumption of antimicrobials, including the development of antimicrobial stewardship programs.
  •  Strengthen capacities in PCI, MGS and regulatory functions of the pharmaceutical system at national and subnational levels.
  •  Support digital platforms to monitor and improve AMC and AMU data management and analysis, as well as the use of data at the local level for program design and continuous quality improvement interventions.
  •  Support assessments, analyses, reviews and audits to evaluate ways to continually adapt RAM/PCI strategies to address constraints and barriers and improve project outcomes.
  •  Collaborate with facility-level healthcare providers and other relevant stakeholders to promote infection prevention, risk management and adherence to good practices in procurement, distribution, consumption, use and prescribing, including AWaRe categorization.
  •  Provide education and training to health system staff and stakeholders on PCI and AMS guidelines, and principles of consumption and use.
  •  Participate in surveillance and reporting activities for antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections.
  •  Support research, technical writing and publication of important achievements and results on antimicrobial consumption and use, contributing to the evidence base for effective antimicrobial stewardship.
  •  Stay abreast of current guidelines and best practices in antimicrobial stewardship and stay informed of global and national initiatives, innovations and learnings regarding antimicrobial resistance measurement systems and infectious disease prevention.
  •  Support the implementation of appropriate use of new technologies and other powerful platforms and applications to serve the various aspects of RAM and PCI implementation. eVyPDBV vb9CJ
  •  Propose, design and share guidelines and strategies on the new frontiers of RAM and PCI systems in the country.
  •  Provide technical advice to implement capacity development, including training, coaching and mentoring for project staff, counterparts and other stakeholders as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIRED:

Required : Higher degree in health

Preferable:

•  Master’s degree in public health or equivalent.
•  Degree in medicine or pharmacy

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Required: A minimum of 6 years of experience in the relevant field

Preferable:

•  Certifications or equivalent experience in the use of technical tools relating to the management of pharmaceutical services and  RAM .
•  Field experience in a hospital environment in Cameroon

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

•  Demonstrable experience in implementing public health interventions, particularly in the areas of pharmaceutical systems strengthening, global health security and/or antimicrobial resistance.
•  Experience collecting and analyzing health data or similar monitoring data to inform program design and implementation.
•  Strong written and oral communication skills.
•  Knowledge or experience of the Cameroonian health system.
•  Strong work ethic and ability to multitask and collaborate with a wide range of people from different backgrounds.
•  Fluency in English and/or French.

SKILLS

ESSENTIAL PROFESSIONAL SKILLS:

•  Ability to link and work with health facilities, regional and district health services providing technical assistance to government and partners at sub-national and facility level.
•  Critical analysis and design

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Travel Requirements : Availability for

travel domestically as needed, up to 30% of

time .

Using the keyboard, pulling drawers,

Lifting documents weighing less than 10 pounds, ETC.

MSH is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, religion, creed, citizenship, national origin, age, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job requirements. MSH will take affirmative action to ensure that qualified applicants are employed and that employees are treated without regard to their race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran and disability status. In compliance with US Department of Labor Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act, and Section 4212 of the Vietnam Era Readjustment Assistance Act, MSH has developed and maintains an affirmative action program and plan.

EEO is the Law – English

EEO is the Law – Spanish

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster

Know Your Rights – Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Employee Polygraph Protection Act

MSH EEO-AA Policy