PUBLIC HEALTH SPECIALIST ADVISOR (Pharma)

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization. As a non-profit, self-governed movement of over 63,000 dedicated professionals, we provide life-saving medical assistance to people affected by armed conflict, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, and exclusion from healthcare. Our work is guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality.

We act based on need, and when we witness injustice, we speak out. Our commitment to professionalism and humanity can mean the difference between life and death. People are our priority.

At Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)/ Artsen zonder Grenzen, we are committed to an inclusive culture that encourages and supports the diverse voices of our employees. We encourage diverse applicants including individuals of all gender identities, ages, sexual orientations, nationalities, ethnic background, religions, beliefs, social and marital status, people with different abilities and all other diversity characteristics and how they intersect together. With immediate effect, MSF OCA is looking for a:

Public Health Specialist Advisor (Pharma) (Maternity Leave Cover) Job Objective As a Public Health Specialist Advisor (Pharma), you will provide strategic and technical pharmaceutical expertise to support MSF's humanitarian operations worldwide. Working closely with country programmes, field teams, and headquarters colleagues, you will help ensure the availability, quality, and safe use of medicines and other medical products in some of the world's most challenging contexts.

You will play a key role in strengthening pharmaceutical practices, supporting evidence-based decision-making, and translating technical knowledge into practical solutions that improve patient care. Through collaboration, capacity sharing, and continuous improvement, you will help country programmes deliver high-quality medical interventions while contributing to MSF's broader public health objectives.

Main Responsibilities

• Provide expert guidance on the quality assurance and quality management of medicines and other medical items.
• Advise country programmes on local procurement and support regional and intersectional procurement activities.
• Support the management of pharmaceutical cold chains, including the handling of cold chain excursions.
• Support rational prescribing practices and antimicrobial stewardship activities in the field and the HQ.
• Support pharmacovigilance activities and the follow-up of adverse events.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of pharmacy guidelines, protocols, and tools.
• Provide technical support to field and HQ colleagues, including briefing and debriefing staff.

Additional Responsibilities Depending on your expertise and the needs of the pharmacy team, you may also:

• Advise on Good Storage and Distribution Practices (GSDP), pharmaceutical quality issues, and regulatory requirements for medical products.
• Liaise with the Amsterdam Procurement Unit (APU) on procurement, storage, and distribution best practices.
• Coordinate quality alerts, product complaints, and batch recalls.
• Develop and deliver pharmacy training for OCA and intersectional audiences.
• Conduct field visits to support programmes and assess pharmaceutical systems (up to 20% travel).
• Contribute to additional pharmacy-related projects and initiatives as agreed within the pharmacy team.
• Candidate Profile A university degree in Pharmacy and relevant professional registration where applicable.
• Several years of professional experience in pharmacy, pharmaceutical management, public health, quality assurance, or related areas.
• MSF experience of at least 2 years is mandatory.
• Sound knowledge of pharmaceutical quality assurance, medicine supply systems, local procurement, and cold chain management.
• Sound knowledge and experience in rational use of medicines, antimicrobial stewardship and pharmacovigilance.
• Experience developing, implementing, or advising on policies, guidelines, protocols, and training activities.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate technical information into practical recommendations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to advise and support diverse teams remotely and in the field.
• A proactive, flexible, and solution-oriented approach to work.
• Willingness to travel regularly and to support emergency responses when needed.
• Professional fluency in English; knowledge of French and/or other relevant languages is an asset.
• Commitment to the values and humanitarian principles of MSF.

What we offer

• A fulltime employment contract of approximately one year until December 2027 to cover a maternity leave.
• MSF practice is to offer the compensation and benefits package in line with the MSF entity offering the contract.
• This position is preferably based in Amsterdam, but candidates from other contracting sections will be considered as well.
• Application You can apply via the Apply button on this page and upload a motivation letter + Curriculum Vitae as one combined document.
• The closing date for the position is Sunday 15th of November .

Information For questions about the recruitment process, contact:

Johanna Wilflingseder, Recruiter –Johanna.Wilflingseder@amsterdam.msf.org For questions about the position, contact:

• Erwan Piriou, Hiring Manager – No agencies please