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VETERINARY DRUG QUALITY EXPERT IN SOMALIA


Position: Veterinary Drug Quality Specialist Project Name: Partnership for Economic Growth Period of Performance: January - February 2013, two missions of 12 days Place of Performance: Hargeisa, with travel within Somaliland Level of Effort: 24 Days
BACKGROUND
The USAID-funded Partnership for Economic Growth (Partnership) program is being implemented by Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI) and CNFA. The purpose of the Partnership program is to help local authorities and private sector groups improve the enabling environment for investment, generate more productive employment and improve other livelihood activities. Using a flexible approach that relies on detailed analysis before launching each sub-activity, the Partnership program has two focus areas: overall private sector development and strengthening specific productive value chains, including livestock and agriculture. Within the livestock sub-activity, the Partnership program has contracted the Somaliland Veterinary Board to increase awareness of the use, disposal and quality of veterinary drugs and to enforce existing regulations related to veterinary drug quality. Most of the imported drugs in Somaliland are of poor quality and there is poor control of their administration. Counterfeit, expired, and fraudulent veterinary products in the Somaliland marketplace present a serious issue that prevents producers from receiving quality animal health services. The existing regulatory mechanisms for quality control, distribution and proper use, e.g. through the national veterinary code, need to be enforced.
DUTY AND RESPONSABILITIES:
OBJECTIVES Working closely with the Partnership Livestock Team, the Somaliland Veterinary Board, and the contractor for the drug quality awareness campaign, the Veterinary Drug Quality Specialist will provide expert advice on the assessment of the veterinary drug quality in Somaliland, design of the training programs to be carried out by the Veterinary Board, and design of the drug quality awareness campaign.
SCOPE The Veterinary Drug Quality Specialist will have the following major tasks during the 1st mission of 12 days: • Design technical elements of the training program on use, disposal and quality of veterinary drugs • Provide expert advice on sampling procedures and assessment of the quality of veterinary drugs • Provide expert advice in designing a drug quality awareness campaign • Provide expert advice on the technical manual for veterinary drug quality • Provide a training on veterinary quality, use and disposal for key Government staff
Second mission of 12 days to Somaliland: • Provide expert advice on recommendations following the veterinary drug quality assessment • Give the key presentation during a launch of the drug quality awareness campaign • Facilitate a planning workshop for the Ministry of livestock on way forward
EXPECTED OUTPUTS
DELIVERABLES • First mission report submitted and approved, including design of training program on use, disposal and quality of veterinary drugs, design of sampling procedures, design of drug quality awareness campaign, draft technical inputs for manual and training report. • Second mission report submitted and approved, inclusive of recommendations following the assessment, presentation, and planning workshop report.
COMPETENCIES Key Performance Indicators during implementation of Services: • Training program package on use, disposal and quality of veterinary drugs fully developed. • Guidelines on sampling procedures and assessment of the quality of veterinary drugs. • Guidelines on designing a drug quality awareness campaign. • Drug Quality Campaign material fully developed. • Key Government staff fully trained. • Plans for conducting campaign workshops fully developed. • Roll-out and drug awareness campaign fully implemented.
Competencies:
• Ability to think conceptually and flexibly, capacity to adapt, innovate, and propose solutions to complex issues within a difficult and changing environment. • Ability to work in potentially hazardous and difficult locations, with good health and physical ability. • Management & technical support in implementing projects. • A team player with good interpersonal skills. • Ability to work well under pressure in a stressful environment.
Education:
• Advanced university degree (preferably PhD) in veterinary related Pharmacy and Toxicology, veterinary science, or a related field. • Specific technical expertise relevant to the provision of training and outreach in the area of veterinary drug quality control. • Experience in and knowledge of the application of sampling strategies, analytical methodologies, traceability mechanisms, and related techniques applicable to veterinary drug quality control. • Experience in veterinary drug regulation as well as in knowledge transfer, related to veterinary drug quality control. • Proven experience in the application of measures to meet sanitary and phytosanitary requirements for food and agricultural commodities, including the application of risk assessment procedures relevant to veterinary drug control systems. • Knowledge of internationally agreed standards regarding veterinary products. • Knowledge of the process of marketing authorization (including minor species registration mechanisms in very small markets), the quality-assurance of marketed veterinary medicinal products, the distribution and use within the legal framework of the veterinary profession, including the role of veterinary para-professionals.
Work Experience:
• Prior experience working in veterinary drug quality control and regulation controls of the manufacture, authorization, marketing, distribution, and post-authorization surveillance of veterinary medicines applicable in developing countries preferably in Africa (knowledge of East Africa).
• Proven expertise and knowledge in the field of international and regional agreements and standards related to veterinary drug quality control. • Proven expertise of the problems of implementing food safety, quality control and traceability systems in developing countries, including a general knowledge of the needs and conditions in these countries. • Knowledge of the Veterinary Pharmaceutical Industry in Africa is an added value. • Previous work experience with USAID and other INGOs is considered as advantage. • Excellent reporting and writing skills. • Computer fluency in software packages (MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) Language: • Fluency in English both written and spoken.
How to apply:
HOW TO APPLY Interested applicants should email the following information to Partnership@DAI.com by December 30, 2012 by 5.00 pm, 1. Updated CV 2. Available start-date 3. Names and contact information for three referees (references will not be contacted without your permission)