Senior Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services II

Role Overview

This senior pharmaceutical leadership position sits at the intersection of clinical practice, regulatory oversight, and public health policy. The post holder directs a team of pharmacists and technical staff while personally handling complex cases that range from evaluating medicine safety signals to ensuring the secure custody of controlled substances. The work directly shapes how medicines are used, monitored, and safeguarded across the health system, with a strong emphasis on protecting patients from substandard products and adverse reactions.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and appraise research proposals and study findings related to medicine use, translating evidence into practical recommendations for policy and clinical practice.
• Receive, triage, and analyse reports of adverse drug reactions and suspected poor-quality medicines, initiating appropriate regulatory or corrective actions.
• Conduct laboratory testing of medicines and medical devices to verify quality, safety, and compliance with established standards.
• Coordinate the work of medicines and therapeutic committees, ensuring rational prescribing and responsible medicine utilisation across facilities.
• Identify priority research areas in medicine utilisation, then disseminate findings through reports, presentations, and training sessions.
• Maintain secure custody, accurate inventory, and lawful dispensing of psychotropic and narcotic substances, with full adherence to controlled-substance regulations.
• Supervise, mentor, and coach pharmacy interns and students, while also overseeing staff discipline, performance target setting, and professional development.
• Provide expert pharmaceutical care and technical guidance in specialised areas such as clinical pharmacy, pharmacovigilance, toxicology, or pharmaceutical analysis.

Requirements & Qualifications

• At least three (3) years of service in the grade of Deputy Director of Pharmaceutical Services or Senior Pharmaceutical Specialist, or an equivalent position in a recognised institution.
• A Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) degree from a university accredited by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board.
• A Master’s degree in a relevant field such as Clinical Pharmacy, Pharmacovigilance and Pharmaco-epidemiology, Pharmaceutical Analysis, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Toxicology, Medicine Regulations, Health Informatics, Health Economics, Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Public Health, Quality Assurance, or another directly related discipline from a recognised institution.
• Current registration as a Pharmacist with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board, backed by a valid practising licence.
• A certificate in Strategic Leadership Development Programme of at least six (6) weeks duration from a recognised institution.
• Computer application skills with a recognised certificate in ICT proficiency.
• Demonstrated professional competence, administrative capability, and initiative in organising and managing pharmacy functions, including staff supervision and performance management.