Location: Any MSF office*.
Contract: Permanent contract at 100%
Starting date: May 2026
Deadline to apply: 05th of March 2026
Compensation and benefits: MSF practice is to offer the C&B package current in the MSF entity establishing the contract.
*By default, the successful candidate will be offered a contract in the MSF office of their country of residence at the time of application.
I. MSF INTERNATIONAL
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF assists people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.
MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 24 sections, 27 associations and 18 branch offices together. Registered in Switzerland, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.
II. POSITION BACKGROUND
The main objectives of the pharmacist network include assuring the quality of the medicines used in MSF projects, facilitating access to treatments and providing other pharmaceutical support to headquarters and field operations. The pharmacist network consists of pharmacists in the medical departments of the operational directorates, in the MSF Supply Centres, MSF Access and the Coordination team. The International Pharmacist Coordinator (IPC) ensures coherence and collaboration of the network, provides strategic guidance and ensures implementation of international guidelines and procedures at all levels and sections.
In 2007 a pharmacist position focusing on TB and neglected tropical diseases (NTD) was created at coordination level, being these key areas of work for MSF where dedicated resources are needed.
III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION
This position is part of the MSF International Pharmaceutical Coordination and is under the direct responsibility of the International Pharmacist Coordinator (IPC).
The TB/NTD focused pharmacist is in close contact and collaboration with the pharmacist platforms and represents the network in the MSF intersectional platforms for TB and NTD.
The TB/NTD focused pharmacist will work closely with MSF Access and coordinate with them in relation to TB/NTD advocacy for 30% of his/her time.
IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION
The general objective of this position is to work on all pharmaceutical aspects linked to the availability and access to adequate treatments for Tuberculosis and NTDs (mainly Visceral Leishmaniasis -VL-, Sleeping sickness, Chagas and snakebite envenomation but could be expanded to others depending on operational needs).
V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Internal
Keep an overview of the latest developments in treatments, international recommendations and initiatives for TB and each disease within NTDs.
Provide input into MSF guidelines and protocols as needed.
In consultation with the TB and NTD platforms, revise regularly the list of priority products for which sources or alternatives must be found for MSF procurement.
Prepare overviews on needed TB/NTDs drugs for the pharmacist network and platforms (briefing papers) and provide support when requested.
Maintain updated information in UniQuality of validated product/manufacturer pairs that are available for TB and NTD procurement including sources already accepted for MSF procurement.
Be part of the IMES group, composed by the QA Pharmacists for Drugs within the IPC and ESCs
Identify potential new manufacturers for products and be responsible for product dossiers evaluation for TB and NTDs areas in coordination with the International Drug QA Leader and the IPC.
Be the MSF focal point with manufacturers for these specific products (for regular contacts and technical visits).
Monitor procurement of TB and NTD products in coordination with the platform leaders and referents, the MSF Supply Centers and with external stakeholders, such as DNDi and WHO for VL and GDF for TB.
Co-manage the pool procurement for DR TB medicines (ie collecting annual forecast, monitoring of security stock for key problematic items, etc.) in close collaboration with MSF Logistique.
Actively participate to negotiations with manufacturers in relation to new TB and NTD medicines promoting affordability, access and registration.
Follow-up of development of new medicines and/or formulations (e.g., pediatric child-friendly formulations, long-acting injectables) for TB and NTD.
Support the platforms leaders in all pharmaceutical related issues for the compassionate use of TB drugs under development in collaboration with MSF Access in the framework of the TIC ACCESS fund project, PATTI.
Provide pharmaceutical support to ArcTB project as a member of the coordination team and act as a focal point for procurement questions
Keep section pharmacists and MSF Supply Centers’ pharmacists informed on relevant TB and NTD related issues and provide necessary support in this area.
Participate and provide pharmaceutical input to TB and NTD platforms meetings.
Participate in/facilitate internal trainings and in regional symposia to promote/facilitate access to quality assured TB and NTD medicines.
Maintain a close collaboration and exchange with the MSF Access team members (linked with the MSF Access action plan) as well as with the relevant advocacy advisers in the operational directorates on advocacy issues for these diseases.
Participate in the elaboration of MSF documents providing transparency on prices and/or national policies (e.g., ‘TB drugs under the microscope’ and other TB advocacy publications)
Contribute to provide input on pharmaceutical policies and practices in relation to regulatory frameworks, pricing and quality assurance as needed.
Undertake other duties as required by the IPC.
External
Follow up on developments within the WHO Prequalification Team and the Expert Review Panel (validation of products, advocacy on drugs to be included in expressions of interest, etc.).
Follow up of international (e.g. Global Drug Facility, the Global Fund...) and national procurement initiatives on TB related issues.
Maintain contact and exchange with external actors on NTD (e.g. DNDi, WHO NTD department and others) for long term access for sleeping sickness drugs and Chagas treatment, snake antivenoms and access to new therapeutic alternatives.
Represent MSF in relevant external committees/initiatives, on access to TB or NTD drugs (such as the STAG WGs, workshops, etc.) in coordination with MSF Access and after approval of the platform leader/IPC according to the topic.
Undertake other duties as required by the IPC.
