Summary of the Position

The U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) is a scientific nonprofit organization that sets standards for the identity, strength, quality, and purity of medicines, food ingredients, and dietary supplements manufactured, distributed, and consumed worldwide. USP’s drug standards are enforceable in the United States by the Food and Drug Administration, and these standards are used in more than 140 countries.

The Promoting the Quality of Medicines Plus (PQM+) program, funded by USAID and implemented by USP, improves access to quality-assured priority medicines and addresses the proliferation of poor-quality medical products in low- and middle-income countries.  PQM+ will strengthens medical product quality assurance systems through cross-sectoral and systems strengthening approaches and the application of international quality assurance standards across the pharmaceutical system.  By sharing scientific expertise and providing technical support and leadership, PQM+ helps create resilient and robust local health systems that address diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases, as well as improves maternal, newborn and child health.

The Senior Technical Advisor is a key technical position for the USAID-funded Promoting the Quality of Medicines Plus (PQM+) program in Bangladesh. The Snr Technical Advisor position will provide cross-cutting program management and technical support for country program implementation of the activities of the PQM+ program in Bangladesh. S/he will support the Chief of Party in the development of work plans, implementation of activities, timely reporting of program progress, proposing solutions to ensure effective program implementation, providing technical guidance and direction to the technical team on achieving agreed-upon targets and long-term strategic objectives, timely reporting on program progress, and oversee technical staff of the country office. In the absence of Chief of Party, s/he shall act as the point of contact to the government agencies, USAID, implementing partners, and stakeholders regarding the day-to-day program implementation of PQM+ activities in the country.

The Snr Technical Advisor supervises assigned technical staff, subject matter experts, and consultants to achieve program results and excellence. S/he will be responsible for assisting the COP in evaluating and documenting program progress, proposing solutions to ensure effective program implementation, providing technical guidance and direction to the technical team on achieving agreed-upon targets and long-term strategic objectives. The position will provide technical oversight related to the program’s objective of strengthening regulatory capacity in registration, inspections, post-marketing surveillance, lab testing, calibrations and other functions associated with quality assurance.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Supports the Chief of Party to provide technical insight to manage PQM+ Bangladesh Program portfolios funded by USAID Mission(s) field support.
• Lead and coordination for the country work plans development, collection of inputs from key stakeholders, and the alignment of proposed activities to PQM+ result areas and the health priorities of the country.
• Oversees the accuracy, clarity, and quality of progress reports and other project documentation necessary for USAID reporting, ensuring they are completed in accordance with USAID and USP policies and procedures and submitted in a timely manner.
• Oversee the implementation of program activities and manages and coordinate the delivery of the PQM+ technical activities to achieve agreed-upon deliverables and targets according to approved work plans and in support of national strategic objectives in health.
• Assists the COP in promoting strong relationships with the USAID Mission, health ministry officials and government agencies, partners and stakeholders.
• Provides oversight to CoP for participation in national committees in the pharmaceutical sector.
• Provide oversight for the documentation of program deliverables, ensure that quarterly and annual progress reports and submitted timely and of good quality, and evaluate the implementation of program activities, and recommends appropriate actions and course correction.
• Provides technical oversight of activities to support local manufacturers in Bangladesh
• Supervise and support PQM+ Bangladesh technical staff.
• Ensures program implementation excellence; provide guidance to staff as needed
• Leads in the delivery of trainings at country level
• Provide oversight for local staff, local partners and consultants involved in delivery of manufacturing support
• Work closely with country teams to support development and deployment of strategies in pharmaceutical sector development
• Keep abreast of the latest analytical technology in industry and regulation requirements
• Actively contribute to annual programmatic and resource planning process and to the development of quarterly and annual reports
• Performs other activities for the successful program implementation of PQM+ in the country.
• Help facilitate collaboration and coordination between government agencies active in pharmaceuticals and the PQM+ office.

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Public Health, regulatory affairs, pharmacy, public health, pharmaceutical science, chemistry, or any other health related field of study preferred.
• At least 12 years’ work experiences at senior level in medicines regulation, government health program management, or non-government health-related technical program management.
• Extensive [5+ years] relevant experience of leadership position in a donor funded global health program implementation and project management.
• Three years experience managing staff

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous Experience Working in USAID funded program/project
• Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Public Health, regulatory affairs, pharmacy, public health, pharmaceutical science, chemistry, or any other health related field of study preferred.
• Experience on leading and implementing technical assistance programs in expanding access to global health products and pharmaceuticals
• Expertise in health systems strengthening.
• Proof of experience leading effective, timely, and quality implementation of donor-funded (particularly USAID-funded) global health or international development projects
• Pharmacist, Physician, or other health profession qualification highly desirable
• Good understanding of and experience working with USAID compliance rules and regulations
• Significant experience working with high level officials in USAID and country governments
• Strong people management skills, including of virtual, matrixed teams
• Excellent client relationship management skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work in cross-cultural settings.
• Ability to demonstrate highest degree of ethics and integrity. 
• Experience with and understanding of WHO global benchmarking tool
• Willingness to travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Four Technical Officers

Job Location:

• Dhaka, Bangladesh  

Position Type:

• Full-time/Regular

Job Category:

Global Health and Manufacturing Services

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