Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS) within the Centralized Warehouse Section based in Nairobi. The incumbent will report to the Chief, Inventory-Stock Control/Acquisition Unit.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Assistant Pharmacist at NO-A level will be responsible for the following duties:

Inventory and Acquisition:
• Maintains and monitors the inventory of the pharmacy.
• Provides support in defining specification of drugs, medical consumables, and medical equipment.
• Receives authorized on-line requisitions for goods and services; verifies requisitions in accordance with sections’/units’ monthly requirements. Ensures that supplies are issued to the requesting offices/sections as per approved requisitions without delay.
• Monitors stock of supplies in the stores; conducts regular stock taking of expendable items in the supply stores; informs the supervisor on discrepancies observed and on supplies which require stock replenishment in a timely manner. Ensures expiration date of the products are tracked and monitored
• Assists in the day-to-day activities of the pharmacy and medical warehouse of the Medical Section.
• Assists in the preparation of the monthly write-off, of expired items, such as drugs, medical supplies, and medical consumables, in the pharmacy and warehouse, and submit reports documenting the write-offs.
• Maintains and keeps up-to-date files pertaining to the pharmacy.
• Maintains and secures proper storing conditions of drugs and medical consumables within the pharmacy.
• Inspects all items delivered to the Medical Section.
• Packs and prepares medical supplies and medical consumables for distribution to various sectors as requested.
• Assists in the transportation of medical items to be dispatched to all sectors.
• Assists in monitoring the supply of drugs, medical supplies, medical consumables, vaccines, condoms (male and female), and blood in the Mission.

Patient services:
• Offers day-to-day advice on pharmaceutical issues.
• Supplies medication and related items to UN staff providing adequate expertise and explanation on consumption and usage directions.
• Provides clients with pharmacological explanations of drugs and warn them of risks.
• Prepares and distributes individual first-aid medical kits to UN staff and provides administrative support in maintaining records and statistics on the kits.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position. Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

First level university degree in pharmaceutical studies.

Job – Specific Qualification

Certificate in Medical Logistics in Pandemic is desirable.

Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) Practitioner certified and working experience in Supply Chain Planning Tool (SCPT) is desirable.

Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in pharmaceutical work or related area is required.

Experience with the UN or other international bodies is desirable.

Experience in working with ERP System as a Requisitioner is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in English (both oral and written) is required.

NOTE: ”Fluency” equals a rating of ”fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and ”Knowledge of” equals a rating of ”confident” in two of the four areas.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. Therefore, this position is funded for an initial period of one year. An extension of appointment will be subject to budgetary approval.

Recruitment against this position is on a local basis. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF KENYA ONLY. The National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. The candidate is responsible for any travel expenses incurred in order to assume the appointment.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted, and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up-to-date. This information is the basis for the Hiring Manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity among its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Interested applicants who are working with UN Contractors must fulfill the obligations of their contracts with the UN Contractors in order to be eligible to apply for this vacancy.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.

Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.