An international humanitarian medical organization is seeking to recruit a qualified and experienced Pharmacy Supervisor to support its operations at Dagahaley Refugee Camp in Garissa County. The role is positioned within a complex humanitarian and healthcare environment that requires strict adherence to medical, pharmaceutical, and supply chain standards. The Pharmacy Supervisor will play a central role in ensuring the effective functioning of pharmacy services, the reliability of pharmaceutical supply chains, and the safe storage and dispensing of drugs and medical materials in line with established organizational protocols and national regulations.
This opportunity is suited to a professional with a strong background in pharmacy operations, stock management, and team supervision, who is capable of working in a demanding setting where precision, accountability, and coordination are essential. The position involves close collaboration with medical, logistics, and human resources teams to ensure uninterrupted access to essential medicines for patients and supported health facilities. The selected candidate will report directly to the Project Pharmacy Manager and will be expected to contribute to the overall quality, efficiency, and integrity of pharmacy services within the project.
The role is offered on a fixed-term contract of twelve months, beginning with a three-month probation period. Contract renewal will be based on performance and operational needs. The position is to be filled as soon as possible.
Main Purpose of the Position
The primary purpose of the Pharmacy Supervisor role is to ensure the general functioning of the pharmacy and to supervise pharmacy supply chain processes in accordance with organizational standards, protocols, and procedures. The role is designed to ensure that pharmacy operations are efficient, reliable, and continuously available to support medical activities. This includes overseeing the proper storage, management, and distribution of drugs and medical supplies, maintaining accurate records, supervising pharmacy staff, and ensuring compliance with quality, safety, and regulatory requirements.
The Pharmacy Supervisor is expected to ensure that all pharmaceutical processes support optimal patient care, minimize the risk of stock shortages or expiries, and contribute to rational and cost-effective use of medical resources. The role requires both technical expertise in pharmacy management and strong organizational and supervisory skills.
Detailed Job Description and Accountabilities
Pharmacy Storage and Stock Management
The Pharmacy Supervisor is responsible for ensuring that all drugs and medical materials are stored in appropriate conditions that maintain their quality, safety, and effectiveness. This includes overseeing storage facilities and ensuring that temperature, humidity, and light exposure are monitored and controlled in accordance with pharmaceutical standards and organizational protocols. The supervisor must ensure that hygiene and security procedures are consistently applied to protect pharmaceutical stocks from contamination, damage, theft, or misuse.
A key component of this responsibility involves implementing and monitoring pest and rodent control measures to prevent damage to medical supplies. The Pharmacy Supervisor is accountable for ensuring that quality control tools, records, and documentation are properly maintained and up to date. This includes batch tracking, expiry date monitoring, and compliance with national regulations governing pharmaceutical storage.
Through systematic stock management practices, the Pharmacy Supervisor ensures the continuous availability of essential medicines and medical materials while minimizing waste, losses, and stock imbalances.
Supply Chain Coordination and Order Management
The position requires close coordination with the logistics department to manage the full cycle of pharmaceutical supply, from ordering to delivery and reception. The Pharmacy Supervisor coordinates the delivery, reception, and recording of both international and local pharmaceutical orders. This involves verifying quantities and quality upon receipt, ensuring proper documentation, and updating stock records accurately and promptly.
The supervisor is responsible for maintaining up-to-date stock files and for regularly informing line managers of stock status, including potential shortfalls, overstocking situations, and upcoming expiry dates. This proactive communication supports timely decision-making and helps maintain security stock levels necessary for uninterrupted medical services.
In addition, the Pharmacy Supervisor supervises the ordering process for drugs and medical materials to ensure that consumption patterns are appropriate and aligned with medical needs and budget constraints. This includes analysing historical consumption data, anticipating future needs, and adjusting orders accordingly to avoid unnecessary costs or supply disruptions.
Supervision of Drug Dispensing and Patient Supply
Ensuring the correct and safe supply of drugs to patients is a central accountability of the Pharmacy Supervisor. The role involves supervising the dispensing of medications in accordance with medical prescriptions and established protocols. This includes ensuring that patients receive accurate information on dosage, consumption patterns, and storage conditions to support therapeutic effectiveness and patient safety.
The Pharmacy Supervisor is responsible for overseeing dispensing practices to ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance with medical guidelines. This includes monitoring the work of pharmacy staff and supporting them in maintaining high standards of patient interaction and professional conduct.
By ensuring proper dispensing and patient education, the Pharmacy Supervisor contributes directly to positive treatment outcomes and the rational use of medicines within the project.
Support to Other Pharmacies and Cold Chain Management
The Pharmacy Supervisor is also responsible for ensuring efficient pharmaceutical supply to other pharmacies managed or supported by the organization. This includes processing and fulfilling orders from dependent pharmacies, coordinating deliveries, and ensuring that stock levels are maintained across multiple locations.
Where required, the supervisor must ensure the correct use and monitoring of the cold chain for temperature-sensitive medicines and vaccines. This involves verifying that cold chain equipment is functioning properly, that temperature records are maintained, and that corrective actions are taken promptly in the event of deviations.
The role includes monitoring and analysing orders from supported pharmacies to identify trends, prevent stock ruptures, and avoid the accumulation of expired or near-expiry drugs. This analytical oversight supports overall supply chain efficiency and quality assurance.
Human Resources Supervision and Team Management
In collaboration with the human resources department, the Pharmacy Supervisor oversees key personnel management processes related to the pharmaceutical team and relevant nursing staff. This includes contributing to staff sizing, shift planning, recruitment processes, onboarding, training, performance evaluation, and professional development.
The supervisor is expected to support the development of staff competencies related to pharmacy operations and drug dispensing. This includes identifying training needs, assisting in the delivery of training sessions, and promoting continuous learning and adherence to protocols.
Effective communication within the team and with other departments is a core expectation of the role. The Pharmacy Supervisor plays a role in fostering a collaborative and professional working environment that supports both operational efficiency and staff well-being.
Data Recording, Reporting, and Forecasting
Accurate data management is a critical responsibility of the Pharmacy Supervisor. The role involves ensuring that all items received and issued are recorded in the computerized stock management system, Isystock. The supervisor must ensure that data entries are accurate, timely, and complete.
The position requires regular reporting on drug consumption and the distribution of medical equipment, in line with established protocols. The Pharmacy Supervisor is responsible for identifying and reporting unusual consumption patterns, potential losses, or discrepancies, and for proposing corrective measures when necessary.
Based on consumption data and operational needs, the supervisor is expected to contribute to forecasting future pharmaceutical requirements. This forecasting supports budget planning, rational resource allocation, and the continuous availability of essential medicines.
Training and Capacity Building
An additional responsibility of the Pharmacy Supervisor is to assist in the training of nursing staff regarding drug dispensing practices and the management of drug side effects. This involves sharing technical knowledge, reinforcing protocols, and supporting safe and effective medication practices across clinical services.
Through ongoing training and support, the Pharmacy Supervisor contributes to strengthening the overall quality of pharmaceutical and clinical care within the project.
Requirements
Education
The position requires a Bachelor of Pharmacy as an essential educational qualification.
Experience
Candidates must have at least one year of certified work experience as a pharmacy manager or pharmacist. Experience in supervising teams is required, as the role involves direct oversight of pharmacy and related staff.
Languages
Proficiency in English is essential for this position. Knowledge of Swahili and Somali is considered desirable and may support effective communication within the operational context.
Knowledge
Essential computer literacy is required, including the ability to use word processing software, spreadsheets, and the internet. Familiarity with computerized stock management systems is an asset in supporting the responsibilities of the role.
Competencies
The role requires a demonstrated orientation toward results and quality, with the ability to maintain high standards in demanding environments. Teamwork and cooperation are essential, as the Pharmacy Supervisor works closely with multidisciplinary teams. Behavioural flexibility is important in adapting to changing operational needs and constraints. A strong commitment to organizational principles is required, alongside effective stress management skills to function reliably in a high-pressure humanitarian setting.
Application Process
Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are invited to submit their applications by 14 January 2026 through the application platform. Applicants are required to attach a detailed curriculum vitae including contact information, a short cover letter of no more than half a page, a scan of their national identification document, and a scan of their academic qualifications.
Each attachment must be clearly named using the specified format, for example: “CV Last name First name 2024” or “Bachelors degree Last name First name 2024”. Applications that do not comply with these instructions may not be considered.
Due to the volume of applications typically received, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
