About US:
The National Drug Authority (NDA) is an autonomous body which was established by the National Drug Policy and Authority Act Cap 206, Laws of Uganda (2000 Edition) to regulate human and veterinary medicines and other healthcare products. NDA’s mandate is to ensure quality, safety and efficacy of human and veterinary medicines and other healthcare products through the regulation and control of their production, importation, distribution and use.
Job Summary: The Head, National Drug Quality Control Laboratory will be required to interact with various National and International stakeholders from other National Drug Regulatory Authorities, Quality Control Laboratories, Research Organisations, Health Institutions as well as quality certification and accreditation bodies and prequalification agencies like World Health Organization and others and may travel on related business, as may be required. The incumbent will primarily;
· Ensure timely quality control testing of all samples in conformity with ISO/IEC 17025 international standard and the relevant WHO guidelines.
· Provide accurate and reliable test results that permit correct conclusions to be drawn about the quality of the samples of medicines, medical devices and public health products tested, and that the results also serve as an adequate basis for any subsequent administrative and legal actions by NDA.
· Manage and co-ordinate all operations and administration of the National Drug Quality Control Laboratory and provide overall direction while ensuring optimum performance with available resources.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
· Co-ordinate and supervise the activities of all staff members in the units of department to ensure samples are tested according to approved test methods and in compliance with the established quality management system in accordance with national and international standards.
· Make sure that the analytical results obtained accurately describe the properties of the samples assessed, permitting correct conclusions to be drawn about the quality of the samples of medicines, medical devices and public health products analyzed, and also serves as an adequate basis for any subsequent administrative and legal actions by NDA.
· Responsible for implementation of, and adherence to ISO/IEC 17025 standard, WHO Good Practices for Quality Control Laboratories and other relevant international and national standards and practices in the process of testing samples, quality management system and control of data and results so as to maintain the standards required by the WHO prequalification of the NDA laboratory and those of the accreditation body as per ISO/IEC 17025.
· Work closely with other laboratories, regulatory and law enforcement agencies, manufacturers of pharmaceutical and other health products and the general public to foster partnership in drugs and health products quality control and assurance.
· Ensure that specifications for all required equipment, chemical reference substances, chemicals and reagents, reference books and appropriate literature for use in the department are developed and recommended for procurement.
· Ensure the safe custody of all NDA equipment, chemicals and reagents, chemical reference substances and other materials, as well as documents used in the execution of department responsibilities.
· Provide leadership to staff in the department ensuring that effective support, capacity building, performance management and motivation strategies are applied to enable delivery of effective services and results.
· Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor from time to time
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· The applicant should hold a Master’s degree in pharmaceutical Analysis and a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy or Chemistry.
· A minimum of twelve (12) years post qualifying experience in a pharmaceutical quality control laboratory with eight (8) years in a senior managerial position.
· Proficiency in Quality Control testing of medicines, public health chemicals, medical devices and related products.
· Broad knowledge and understanding of ISO/IEC 17025 standard and WHO Good Practices for Quality Control Laboratories.
· Previous experience in the use of computerized and automated laboratory equipment.
· Broad knowledge and understanding of national and international standards, norms and practices as they relate to drug regulation and control.
· Experience in Good Manufacturing Practice.
· Experience in product dossier assessment/evaluation.
· Computer literacy i.e. proficiency in MS Office computer programs (MS Word, MS Excel and MS Access).
· High integrity.
· Good judgement.
How to Apply:
All suitably qualified candidates should send hand written applications together with copies of academic certificates, transcripts, testimonials and three work related referees should be submitted to the Human Resource and Administration Officer either hand delivered or electronically to the address below.
The Human Resource and Administration Officer,
National Drug Authority, Plot 46-48, Lumumba Avenue,
Kampala, Uganda.
Email to: hr@nda.or.ug
Deadline: 25th January 2016 by 5:00 PM