Advisor, Regulatory System Strengthening for Medicines & Other Health Technologies

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 128,541 USD and 165,727 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The primary objective of the Department of Health Systems and Services (HSS) is to strengthen health systems based on Primary Health Care, supporting universal health. Its work encompasses the following areas: strengthening of health systems stewardship and governance to achieve universal health and address the social determinants of health, including social protection in health; strengthening of regulatory frameworks and financial protection for progressive realization of the right to health; organizing people-centered, integrated health service delivery; promoting access to and rational use of quality, safe, and effective health technologies; health policies, and technical cooperation; and developing human resources for health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director, Health Systems and Services (HSS) and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Medicines and Health Technologies (HSS/MT), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties:

1. Advocate and provide strategic, technical and programmatic advice and support for the development, update and implementation of policies, plans and strategies favoring access, regulation, innovation, production, pricing and rational use of medicines and other health technologies (including safe blood and organ transplants) at the subregional level within the framework of PAHO’s Strategic Plan and the Health Subregional Plan or Agenda of Central America;
2. Provide support to country offices in the subregion for the strengthening of National Regulatory Authorities (NRA) based on established institutional development plans and promote the cooperation of NRA within the subregion;
3. Provide support for the expansion and consolidation of collaborative regulatory mechanisms within the subregion and beyond, including but not limited to, the collaborative market authorization review and the joint pharmacovigilance project;
4. Create, strengthen and convene subregional networks aimed at improving access to safe, efficacious and quality-assured medicines and other health technologies including, but not limited to, networks dedicated to the improvement of regulatory capacities, the use of health technology assessment and other evidence informed processes for selection, incorporation and management of health technologies, post-marketing surveillance and to improving access to safe blood and organ transplants;
5. Provide support to country offices of the subregion in the development of national policies and strategies favoring access, innovation, production, pricing and efficient use of resources and rational use of medicines and other health technologies;
6. Provide support to country offices of the subregion for the development and implementation of the National Blood Policies, of the National Program of Transplantation, and the improvement of national blood services, national radiological health services and pharmaceutical services;
7. Provide advice and support for the development of good managerial practices for MT aiming at the improvement of access to health technologies, the appropriate and rational use of medicines and the establishment of regulatory capacities to ensure the availability of safe, quality, and effective medicines and other health technologies at the subregional level within the framework of PAHO’s Strategic Plan and the Health Subregional Plan or Agenda of Central America;
8. Provide advice and technical expertise in the development of MT core data and information systems (at the subregional level, and between countries, their integration with broader health information systems, the production of analysis and policy briefs and the identification of knowledge gaps, amenable to organizational and evaluative research; produce on a periodic basis an analysis of the MT situation, trends and issues within the Subregion;
9. Develop and update a mapping of actors: governmental and non-governmental organizations, agencies, specialized institutions, associations, professional colleges, centers of excellence and experts at national and subregional levels relevant to the field of MT within the Subregion; monitor their strategic orientation and lines of action;
10. Mobilize political, technical and financial resources for the implementation of the subregional technical program on MT;
11. Contribute to the formulation of the subregional BWP and monitor regularly the financial and programmatic implementation of the MT component of the BWP; provide inputs for the strategic analysis and assessment of the MT component of the BWP; and contribute in the preparation of reports, as required;
12. Contribute to the identification, documentation, systematization, dissemination and scaling-up of good practices and lessons learned in the area of MT in the subregion;
13. Support, in agreement with respective PWRs and according to the country BWPs, country HSS advisors on MT issues;
14. Support, with the concurrence of the first level supervisor, the advance of regional strategies and plans related to MT issues, as required;
15. Promote and support inter-country and inter-subregional cooperation for joint programs, and information and knowledge sharing related to MT oriented to advance the subregional BWP and oriented to economy of scale and reduction of asymmetries among countries;
16. Administer, allocate and monitor the financial, logistical and staff resources assigned to the MT component and prepare and justify the program or work and budget proposals of the MT component of the subregional BWP;
17. When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities;
18. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health or management science and a master’s degree in pharmacy, health economics, public health or any other health science related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO, only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU) / United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience****:

Essential: Nine years of combined progressive national and international experience in the implementation and administration of programs and projects related to medicines, health technologies, policy and/or regulation of medicines and other health technologies, health and Pharmacoeconomics, production and quality control, or access to health products.

Desirable: Experience working at the subregional level would be an asset. Experience working in the United Nations or other multilateral institutions would be an asset.

SKILLS****:

PAHO Competencies:

• Overall attitude at work****: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences****: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes on such diversity. Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.
• Teamwork****: Collaborate and cooperate with others - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.
• Communication****: Write effectively/Share knowledge - Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.
• Producing Results****: Work efficiently and independently/Deliver quality results - Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.
• Ensuring effective use of resources****: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well - Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives. Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond****: Develop networks and partnerships and encourage collaboration - Builds and negotiates strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure Organizational results and success. Creates innovative opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve Organizational success.

Technical Expertise:

• Theoretical and practical expertise in medicines and health technologies; technical and social determinants of access and use of health technologies, covering areas of policy development and regulation.
• Technical expertise in providing technical assistance to countries in the development, management, operation, or evaluation of programs or projects in health technologies and regulation.
• Managerial skills for the development, implementation and analysis of technical cooperation programs and activities, including budget programming and control.
• Knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation projects, interventions and in the development of criteria for evaluating program interventions, budget programming and control.
• Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical, conceptual, interpersonal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendations on key political and technical issues.
• Skills in resource mobilization (including fundraising and partner collaboration) and financial management for delivery of expected results.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of Spanish or English with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio, Microsoft SharePoint and Project would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary****: (Net of taxes)

USD $75,602.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment****: 31.7% of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level****.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org

PAHO/WHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.

PAHO/WHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct.

PAHO/WHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.

PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity. PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.

Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.

Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this post. The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.