MITRA Samaj is implementing an assessment entitled “Good Storage and Distribution Practices (GSDP) Implementation Status Assessment” commissioned by  Management Sciences For Health, Inc. (MSH) under the USAID-funded “Medicines, Technologies, and Pharmaceutical Services (MTaPS) Program”. The goal of the program is to strengthen Nepal’s pharmaceutical system to ensure sustainable and equitable access to and appropriate use of safe, effective, quality-assured, and affordable essential medicines and other medical products and medicine-related pharmaceutical services and information. 

The project has supported the Department of Drug Administration (DDA) to prepare Good Storage and Distribution Practices (GSDP) guidelines based on the World Health Organization guidelines and other international practices which are to be approved as a part of the Nepal Codes on Sales and Distribution of Drugs (CSD).

One of the activities of MTaPS Nepal is to strengthen GSDP implementation at the wholesalers and importers in Nepal. A multi-pronged approach has been developed in collaboration with the DDA that aims to train wholesalers and importers in GSDP, implement e-learning GSDP training courses, and conduct a GSDP implementation status assessment that can prepare the wholesalers for a DDA regulatory GSDP inspection later. 

The project also focuses on conducting assessments of wholesalers and importers using the GSDP guidelines and the electronic inspection tool. The outcome of these assessments will be to sensitize the wholesalers and importers to the GSDP and its requirements. The result will be improvement plan for the wholesalers and importers for the actual regulatory inspections which will be conducted by the DDA at a later date.

MITRA Samaj is implementing the GSDP assessment throughout various regions of Nepal. Thus, MITRA Samaj is seeking 10 GSDP Assessors to assess the selected wholesalers and importers in Nepal. 

Roles and Responsibilities of GSDP Assessors 

• Attend training organised by MITRA Samaj to enhance knowledge on various topics, such as  GSDP, GSDP objectives, GSDP principles and components, and benefits; method to implement and report on a GSDP implementation assessment using an already developed process;
• Carry out fieldwork in selected areas (to be provided later);
• Select wholesalers and importers as per the selection strategy provided by MITRA Samaj;
• Conduct assigned number of assessments using an already developed GSDP indicator-based electronic assessment tool; [Total number of assessments: 300. The number of assessments will be divided among 10 selected GSDP assessors]
• Develop improvement plans of wholesalers/importers; fill in assessment forms and provide on the spot GSDP supervision to assigned number of wholesalers and importers. 
• Ensure quality of collected data
• Estimated number of days of involvement: 15 days (starting from April last week). 

GSDP Assessors’ criteria 

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in pharmacy.
• At least 3 years work experience in a wholesaler/importer or having worked in regulatory authorities of Nepal and involved in pharmacy inspections.
• Understanding of public health systems and programs in Nepal.
• Good understanding of GSDP and quality assurance.
• Proficiency in English and Nepali with excellent writing and presentation skills.
• Strong communication and supervision skills.
• Capable of organizing and conducting audits
• Ability to work independently, efficiently, and perform at a high quality
• Demonstrated competence to assess priorities and manage a variety of activities in a time-sensitive environment and meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
• Proven computer skills in Excel, MS Word, MS Project, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to prepare and review reports, training materials/curricula, technical and policy documents, and presentations.
• Experience working with bilateral agencies such as USAID, World Bank, Global Fund, and international agencies preferred.