Pharmacist

MONUSCO/MONUC was established in 1999 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). SCR 2277 (2016) requests MONUSCO to support efforts of the Government of DRC towards the protection of civilians, through a comprehensive approach involving all components of MONUSCO, including through reduction of the threat posed by Congolese and foreign armed groups and of violence against civilians, including sexual and gender-based violence and violence against children to a level that can be effectively managed by the Congolese justice and security institutions; and to support Stabilization through the establishment of functional, professional, and accountable state institutions, including security and judicial institutions. The project aims at a better understanding of the most serious violations of human rights law and international humanitarian law in DRC and supports the leadership of the Mission through informed policy and decision making on future vetting of security forces through risk assessment and mitigation, joint planning for MONUSCO operations, as well as advocacy efforts.

This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment is part of MONUSCO (United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo)
MONUSCO took over from an earlier UN peacekeeping operation – the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC) – on 1 July 2010. It was done in accordance with Security Council resolution 1925 of 28 May to reflect the new phase.

Between 2021 and 2025, the Mission entered a new phase characterized by a dual dynamic: continuing to carry out its core responsibilities—particularly the protection of civilians—while preparing for a gradual and responsible transition, in close coordination with the Congolese authorities and international partners.

In 2025, the Mission operated in an increasingly complex environment marked by a renewed deterioration of the security situation in eastern DRC, including the capture of Goma by the M23, which significantly exacerbated the humanitarian and protection crisis in North Kivu. In this challenging context, MONUSCO continued adapting its posture to support civilian protection efforts, coordinate with national authorities and maintain engagement with international partners.

This assignment will be based with MONUSCO in Entebbe (Uganda) Duty Station.

More information: https://monusco.unmissions.org/en

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

• Developing, updating, and implementing a mission list for pharmaceuticals and medical consumables, based on generic drugs produced according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standards.
• Maintaining a system for ongoing inspections of drug safety in mission Level 1 Clinics.
• Offering day-to-day advice on pharmaceutical issues.
• Advising on the specification of pharmaceuticals to be requisitioned.
• Offering a prudent scale of issue for the planning of re-supply.
• Contributing to the facilitation of an unimpeded supply of pharmaceuticals, medical consumables, vaccines, condoms (male and female) and blood in the mission.
• Monitoring the consumption of pharmaceuticals, laboratory reagents, medical and surgical consumables at the Level 1 Clinics.
• Assisting the mission medical services team in the treatment and side effect monitoring.
• Storing and record-keeping of stocks of pharmaceutical products across the mission.
• Accounting for the applicable medical supplies and equipment according to recommended guidelines.
• Participating in logistics operations pertaining to the management of expired supplies and redistribution of medical supplies within the mission area.
• Carrying out relevant and regular reporting on demand by the Head Pharmacist.
• Performing other related duties as required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to:
• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant United Nations Volunteers (UNV) and external publications and take an active part in UNV activities (for instance, in events that mark International Volunteer Day (IVD);
• Be cognizant of the United Nations as an organization and be familiar with the concept and workings of peacekeeping/peacebuilding;
• Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; network and build relationships with local organizations, groups, or individuals, and support and/or participate in local volunteering initiatives; reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities;
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications, websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; initiate and/or participate in local volunteer groups, including assisting them in submitting stories and experiences to the World Volunteer Web site;
• Promote or advise local groups on the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible;
• Encourage, mobilize, and support co-workers, fellow UN Volunteers, and members of the local community to play an active part in peace and development activities on a voluntary basis;
• Discuss with supervisors how volunteerism for peace and development can be mainstreamed in the assignment and integrate activities promoting volunteerism for peace and development into work plans;
• Assist with the UNV “buddy programme” for newly arriving UN Volunteers.