National Consultant – Essential Drugs and Medicines

Contract

This is a No grade contract. More about No grade contracts.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME: To provide technical support to the Government of Bangladesh in the design, revision, implementation and monitoring of Essential Drugs and Medicines related policies, strategies and plans; and to strengthen the capacity of the government entities involved in the field of Essential Drugs and Medicines (e.g. Directorate General of Drug Administration; National Control Laboratory & the Drug Testing Laboratory).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Signatory will be assigned to the country National Regulatory Authority Focal Point, Directorate General Drug Administration, Dhaka; and the WHO Country Office and will have the following job responsibilities:

1. Provide technical support to the Government of Bangladesh in the development/improvement; implementation and evaluation of its national policies, strategies and plans as related to Essential Drugs and Medicines, with a focus on achieving a functional NRA in Bangladesh.; 2. Provide technical support to the Government of Bangladesh and relevant authorities on strengthening the six functions of a national regulatory authority {Some technical knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)} relating to manufacturing of pharmaceutical products; 3. Support the generation of evidence and increased demand for the use of information in the policy process as related to Essential Drugs and Medicines (e.g. on pharmaceutical pricing, quality, availability, supply, use of treatment guidelines, formularies, drug regulation, pre-qualification pathways), in both the public and private sectors; 4. Support the implementation of the WHO related work plan activities in regard to Essential Drugs and Medicines, anti-microbial resistance, regulatory functions of the national drug authority, and medical devices and technology; 5. To facilitate the collaboration with relevant stakeholders (development partners, non-governmental organizations, academia, private sector etc.) in relation to access, quality and rational use of Essential Drugs and Medicines; 6. To prepare progress reports on programme implementation and recommend actions for improvements; 7. To perform any other relevant tasks as assigned by the supervisor

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: 4 Years of bachelor’s degree in pharmacy or Medicine

Desirable: • Master’s degree in pharmacology or pharmaceutical related management disciplines; public health or health management related area; • Post graduate training in pharmacovigilance and or drug supply chain management/drug quality, and national regulatory authority. • Technical knowledge of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), relating to manufacturing of pharmaceutical products;

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of professional experience in the field of pharmacology /pharmacy / Essential Drugs and Medicines / quality assurance of medicines and drugs / procurement of medicines and drugs / supply chain management of medicines and drugs / research in any of the above areas.

Desirable:

• Track record in supporting the process of formulating, planning and implementing policies related to Essential Drugs and Medicines; • Some experience in providing technical assistance on rational drug use principles (selection, prescribing and dispensing); • Experience in assisting pharmaceutical regulation and quality control, through established surveys and spot assessments (medicines and health legislation, surveillance system); • Experience in providing support to procurement and supply chain management (good procurement practices, good distribution practices, good storage practices and good pharmacy practices);

Additional Functional Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to interact with and advise government counterparts on technical areas related to Essential Drugs and Medicines; • Ability to support the process of designing and implementing national policies, strategies and plans; • Ability to establish harmonious working relationships as part of a team; • Ability to maintain a high standard of personal conduct; • Skills and ability to convene meetings of stakeholders and enthuse partners to work as a team to achieve a functional NRA in Bangladesh.

WHO Competencies • Communication. • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences. • Teamwork. • Moving forward in a changing environment • Building and promoting partnership across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills Excellent writing/reporting and editing skills, communication and presentation skills in English and Bangla.

Computer Literacy • Proficient in using of computer application software: MS - Office • Statistical software (e.g. SPSS or STATA)

Annual Salary & others Benefits:

WHO offers locally competitive packages such as:

• Monthly salary: BDT 112,711.00 • Health Insurance; Accident and illness insurance; • Annual Leave (18 days per year); Sick leave (12 days per year); • WHO and Government Holidays, Compensatory Time Off.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level • Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. • A written test or a presentation using computer followed by an interview will be held only for qualifying candidates. • 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/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review. • Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to availability of fund and performance. • For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int. • WHO is committed to workforce diversity. • WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice. • WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco. • This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station. • This vacancy is open to Bangladeshi Nationals (all genders) only.

• Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Any attempt to unduly influence on WHO’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant