Global Health Fellows Program II
Pharmacy Intern

Supply Chain for Health Division, Office of HIV/AIDS, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development

Anticipated timeframe: April 2017 – July 2017: Compensated 3 month internship
Location: Washington, DC/Arlington, VA
INT-P6-009

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International and PYXERA Global. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

GHFP-II’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by addressing the Agency’s immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual working planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.

Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency’s ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings global health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.   

BACKGROUND:

In cooperation with the US Department of State’s Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator, other US Government (USG) partners, international organizations, and nongovernmental organizations, USAID provides global technical leadership on the full range of issues related to HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment; manages numerous research and field support programs; and monitors the impact of the Agency’s HIV/AIDS programs. In this endeavor, USAID works very closely with a range of USG agencies involved in the fight against AIDS, such as the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Defense and Peace Corps. More information about the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) may be found at http://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/global-health.

USAID procures and distributes over $1B in health pharmaceuticals and supplies every year and invests over $200M annually to strengthen supply chains in developing countries. Pharmacists offer a unique perspective to solving problems in the global health arena that pertain to medication access, treatment, supply chain, and regulatory affairs. As USAID has robust programs addressing multiple diseases and conditions in over 80 countries, this Agency is uniquely positioned to expose future global health pharmacists to a rich experience in terms of global implementation of health interventions and science, operations, and policy drafting.  

INTRODUCTION:

The Supply Chain for Health (SCH) Division within the Office of HIV/AIDS (OHA) in the Bureau for Global Health is seeking a Pharmacy Intern to assist the Technical Branch. Several pharmacist activities include (1) supporting two countries with the introduction of new pediatric ARV formulations; (2) assisting in revising/updating an essential medicines strategy; (3) creating a tool to monitor stock status and coordinating order placement in multi-donor funded countries.  The Intern will work closely with the Pharmaceutical Advisor as his/her onsite manager.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Articulating the role of a pharmacist with regards to quality assurance monitoring of health commodities.
• Gaining exposure to global implementation of health interventions.
• Gaining a greater understanding of USAID and the use of science, operations and policy drafting in a complex organizational environment.

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Supporting the development of an approach and process for the roll-out of novel pediatric formulation in two countries.
• Coordinating the synthesizing of findings from multiple cost of production studies into user-friendly materials for supply chain advisers.
• Supporting the formulation of an essential medicines strategy to inform strategic sourcing for the Bureau for Global Health.
• Supporting the development of a methodology for the coordination of health commodities order from multiple donors.
• Supporting the coordination of drafting of technical briefs for multiple audiences.
• Reviewing literature to understand phase III clinical trial and implications for new product introduction.
• Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on organizational and programming need and/or the Intern’s own interests.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Currently enrolled in a Doctor of Pharmacy degree program or international equivalent (e.g. MPharm, etc.); or, completion of such within the past 12 months.
• Prior experience or demonstrated passion for working in global public health, community health, and/or in disease management preferred.
• Strong understanding of infectious diseases preferred.
• US citizenship or US permanent residency required.

COMPENSATION:

$2,068 bi-weekly (exempt, salaried position).

TO APPLY:

Detailed information, including an online application and instructions, is available on our website at www.ghfp.net. All applications must be submitted by February 13, 2017 at 5:00 pm eastern time.

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