Laboratory dispensing technician

Over the past few years, Afghanistan has witnessed a relative improvement in security and stability across much of the country. This has allowed humanitarian actors like INTERSOS to maintain uninterrupted access and expand services in areas that were previously hard to reach. Despite this progress, the humanitarian situation remains critical, with millions of Afghans continuing to face acute vulnerabilities due to prolonged economic hardship, natural disasters, and limited access to essential services.

In 2025, more than half of the population is in need of humanitarian assistance, with food insecurity, child malnutrition, and displacement remaining key concerns. Natural disasters, such as floods and recent earthquakes, have further compounded the needs of already struggling communities.

INTERSOS continues to operate through a community-based approach with field bases in Kabul, Kandahar, and Zabul, delivering primary healthcare, nutrition, and protection services with a focus on women, children, and persons with disabilities. The organization enjoys strong community acceptance and collaborates closely with relevant national authorities, including maintaining the full participation of female staff in all activities.

While the operational environment is largely stable and conducive, funding shortfalls and systemic barriers such as restrictions on financial flows and administrative bottlenecks continue to impact the scope and scale of humanitarian response. Sustained support is crucial to ensure the continuity of life-saving services and to address the urgent needs of Afghanistan’s most vulnerable populations

To ensure the accurate, safe, and timely dispensing of medicines prescribed to patients attending the health facility, while maintaining proper pharmaceutical stock management, record keeping, and patient counselling to support quality healthcare services.

Reporting to: Medical Doctor Team Leader

Responsibilities and tasks: 

1. Medicine Dispensing

·       Dispense medicines according to authorized prescriptions and treatment guidelines.

·       Verify prescription details, dosage, quantity, and patient information before dispensing.

·       Label medicines accurately with instructions for use.

·       Ensure patients receive the correct medicine in the correct quantity.

·       Refer prescription errors, unclear orders, or adverse drug concerns to the medical team leader.

2. Patient Counselling

·       Explain dosage, frequency, duration of treatment, storage conditions, and possible side effects.

·       Ensure patients understand how and when to take their medications.

·       Provide health education on medication adherence and safe medicine use.

3. Stock Management

·       Maintain adequate stock levels of medicines and medical supplies at the HF.

·       Monitor stock movement and consumption patterns by using the INTERSOS standard tools.

·       Conduct regular inventory checks and stock counts.

·       Monitor expiry dates and remove expired or damaged medicines according to the INTERSOS SOP 39.

·       Assist the IMS/ Pharmacy assistant in forecasting and ordering pharmaceutical supplies

4. Record Keeping and Reporting

·       Maintain accurate dispensing registers and stock records.

·       Record medicine receipts, issues, losses, and adjustments.

·       Prepare monthly pharmaceutical consumption reports as required by the health facility and share them with the IMS Pharmacy assistant.

·       Ensure confidentiality of patient and medication records.

5. Storage and Quality Assurance

·       Store medicines according to manufacturer and national guidelines.

·       Monitor storage conditions, including temperature-sensitive products.

·       Ensure proper arrangement and cleanliness of the pharmacy store.

·       Follow First Expiry First-Out (FEFO) and First-In-First-Out (FIFO) principles.

6. Compliance and Safety

·       Adhere to national pharmaceutical regulations, facility SOPs, and infection prevention standards.

·       Maintain accountability for controlled and restricted medicines.

·       Participate in quality improvement activities.

Language skills

• Mandatory: English, Pashto

Education degree

• Mandatory: Diploma or Certificate in Pharmacy.

·       Registration/licensure from the Pharmacy Council of Afghanistan

Work experience

• Minimum (2) years of working experience in a hospital/health facility set-up or relevant position.

Knowledge and skills

• Knowledge of essential medicines and dispensing procedures.
• Good communication and patient counselling skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and inventory systems.
• Commitment to INTERSOS principles.
• Comply with all relevant INTERSOS policies and procedures.