Job Description

The Pharmacovigilance Specialist, is responsible for activities (as delegated/assigned by their manager) which may include but is not limited to PV (Pharmacovigilance) Intake activities (including reconciliation and follow-up), Individual case safety report and aggregate submissions, compliance monitoring, management and negotiation of local PV agreements, local due diligence activities, supporting audits and inspections and related readiness activities, authoring local SOPs, conducting local training, and archiving and is able to perform these tasks with minimal supervision.

 The Specialist, may serve as the Back-up (BU) local Qualified Person for PV (QPPV) / BU Local PV Contact / BU Local Responsible PV person as required per local PV legislation. In the absence of the PV Lead, they may manage day-to-day PV activities and serve as their back-up.

 

The items listed below are activities that can be performed by the role and is applicable for all supported countries. Additional local specific tasks and responsibilities may be further described in the section below entitled “Additional Local Specific Activities”. 

 

1.      Serves as the point of contact for the local Health Authority for PV related questions when assigned by the PV Lead and in their absence.

2.      If serving as the local QPPV / Local PV Contact / Local Responsible PV Person or Backup,  complies with all requirements mentioned in the local laws and regulations.

3.      Responsible for execution of local PV processes and activities in collaboration with internal functional areas and external parties as assigned.

4.      Responsible for day-to-day adverse events case management including case intake, tracking, translation to English (as applicable), acknowledgments, and follow-up activities in accordance with PV procedures and country regulations.

5.      Responsible for reporting adverse experiences or events (Adverse Events) or product quality complaints (PQCs) associated with the use of our company products in compliance with Corporate Policy 01: Patient Safety.

6.      May coordinate translation of Pharmacovigilance documents and ensure a QC check is performed by a second person for any in-house translations (as applicable).

7.      Supports local PV audits and inspections including readiness activities and supports audits of business partners/vendors including the development of CAPAs in response to findings/observations as assigned.

8.      Participates in compliance activities and coordinates the preparation of necessary corrective actions locally for late reports.

9.      Assists in developing and maintaining local procedures (in compliance with regional and global standards), to ensure global quality PV data and evaluates processes for potential improvement in efficiency and effectiveness.

10.   May support PV Lead in maintaining the local PV Training matrix and onboarding plans.

11.   May support development and maintenance of local PV controlled documents (i.e., Company Core Pharmacovigilance Documents, training materials, etc. as applicable) ensuring that they are kept current.

12.   Supports PV self-inspections as required by PV Legislations (where applicable).

13.   Responsible for completing all required/applicable trainings assigned at time of hire and after hire by the due dates, before performing the activity.

14.   Supports training of local company staff, distributors, vendors, and business partners as instructed by their manager.

15.   Responsible for managing and performing local literature screening and assessment in accordance with company procedure and local requirements (as applicable).

16.   May be responsible for Health Authority Website Monitoring for potential safety issues, safety alerts, and new/revised PV requirements in compliance with company procedures and local legislation (as applicable).

17.   May be assigned responsibility for ensuring appropriate PV language is included in country PV agreements, liaising with business partners, vendors and Alliance Managers as required, performing local qualification/due diligence activities, compliance reviews, and ensuring maintenance of the business partner data tracking system.

18.   As delegated by PV Lead, collaborates with internal stakeholders to ensure local implementation of Post approval Safety Monitoring Program (PSMP) plan in compliance with local legislation (as applicable).

19.   May be responsible for reviewing, providing input and approving local initiatives (e.g., digital interfaces, marketing initiatives/ patient programs, organized data collection systems, etc.), and other programs to ensure compliance with PV requirements, as applicable.

20.   As assigned by PV Lead, responsible for scheduling and coordinating submission activities for PSURs and other Aggregate Reports to the local Health Authority in compliance with company procedures and local legislation (as applicable).

21.   May be assigned responsibility for ensuring appropriate implementation and oversight of Risk Minimization Measures and Additional Risk Minimization Measures locally as per department policy and local legislations.

22.   As assigned by PV Lead, prepare/maintain/submit local RMPs to the local HA (as applicable).

23.   Support local implementation of applicable business continuity plans (as applicable)

24.   Files, stores and archives safety-related and regulatory data and documentation in accordance with department and company policies and local requirements.

25.   Serves as local Subject Matter Expert on relevant PV regulations, processes, and procedures.

26.   Liaises with the local business units to keep them apprised of safety activities and provides input on strategic decisions.

27.   Represents PV in cross-functional organizational and alliance partner forums as needed.

28.   Participates on local company committees and councils for matters impacting PV as assigned.

29.   May participate on special projects or rotational assignments within or outside of IPV as part of their professional development.

Education:

·        Pharmacist or Medical Doctor

Work Experience:

·        Experience in the pharmaceutical industry is preferred (Hiring Manager discretion permitted) 

·        General knowledge of AE reporting requirements and relevant PV regulations, PV quality management systems

·        Experience with PV audits and/or PV Health Authority Inspections preferred

Job-specific competencies & skills:

·        Must be fluent in English (written and spoken) while proficient in local language

·        Ability to travel within the region and globally

·        Advanced interpersonal communications, organizational, and presentation skills

·        Ability to work in partnership with others (internally and externally)

·        Negotiation and influencing skills

·        Ability to interface broadly with colleagues within related functions and cross-functionally

*Please submit your CV in English

 

Required Skills:

Accountability, Accountability, Adaptability, Adverse Event Report, Business Continuity, Business Relationship Management (BRM), Clinical Trial Management, Collection Systems, Complaint Management, Compliance Investigations, Corrective Action Management, Data Analysis, Data Management, Detail-Oriented, Drug Safety Surveillance, Employee Training, Management Process, Partner Relationship Management (PRM), Periodic Safety Update Reports, Pharmacovigilance, Regulatory Communications, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, Safety Procedures, Stakeholder Relationship Management {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

Current Employees apply HERE

Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Hybrid

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

02/20/2026

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.