Pharmaceuticals Quality Assurance and Compliance Lead P3 (QMS Officer) - Rome, Italy

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WFP celebrates and embraces diversity. It is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all its employees and encourages qualified candidates to apply irrespective of race, colour, national origin, ethnic or social background, genetic information, gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, HIV status or disability.

Are you a Pharmaceuticals Quality Assurance Specialist interested in further developing your professional experience while contributing to ending global hunger? Are you passionate about helping those in need? Would you like to join a global organization investing in its people?

If so, an exciting & fulfilling career awaits you! Join our diverse and passionate team that works on varied and international projects directly contributing to saving & changing millions of lives around the globe.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS

Applications must be submitted by Friday, July 7, 2023 (17:59 EDT)

WHO WE ARE

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), a highly prestigious, reputable & world’s largest humanitarian organization, operating in more than 120 countries and territories, bringing life-saving assistance in emergencies, building pathways to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change and supporting sustainable and resilient livelihoods for a world with zero hunger.

At WFP, people are at the heart of everything we do and the vision of the future WFP workforce is one of diverse, committed, skilled, and high performing teams, selected on merit, operating in a healthy and inclusive work environment, living WFP's values (Integrity, Collaboration, Commitment, Humanity, and Inclusion) and working with partners to save and change the lives of those WFP serves.

To learn more about WFP, visit our website: UN World Food Programme (WFP) and follow us on social media to keep up with our latest news: YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter.

WHY JOIN US?

• WFP is a 2020 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate
• WFP offers a highly inclusive, diverse, and multicultural working environment
• WFP invests in the personal & professional development of its employees through a range of training, accreditation, coaching, mentorship, and other programs as well as through internal mobility opportunities
• A career path in WFP provides an exciting opportunity to work across the various country, regional and global offices around the world, and with passionate colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure that effective humanitarian assistance reaches millions of people across the globe
• We offer an attractive compensation package (please refer to the Terms and Conditions section)

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

In recent years, WFP’s expertise and footprint were increasingly leveraged to tackle health supply chain challenges. WFP works with governments and health partners in a range of countries both to respond to emergencies (e.g. Ebola, Covid-19) and to structurally strengthen local supply chain capacities, with the goal to make public health systems more performant and shock-resilient.

Building on experiences gained, WFP is launching a multi-year global initiative to provide supply chain technical assistance to national public health actors in countries where specific needs and opportunities are identified. In line with national health strategies, WFP will avail and transfer its knowledge and know-how in core supply chain areas and in the field of emergency preparedness.

The position is based in HQ.

JOB PURPOSE

The Quality Management System (“QMS”) Officer will support the design, launch and implementation of Temperature Sensitive Logistics (“TSL”) activities in support of national health partners and strategies. In this role, the QMS Officer will work collaboratively with WFP’s country offices, corporate expert teams, and client structures as needed, to create high quality technical assistances approaches leading to transformative and scalable change and to compliant QMS Practices across WFP’s TSL activities.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES (not all-inclusive)

As Quality Management System (“QMS”) Officer, you will be responsible for the following key duties:

1. Ensure that WFP standards and regulatory quality and compliance standards and guidance are implemented and sustainable.
2. Lead on the formulation, maintenance and implementation of Quality Management policies and procedures in WFP’s Pharmaceutical Quality Manual.
3. Contribute to the achievement of TSL and Health Supply Chain objectives in line with regional and functional strategies, policies and plans.
4. Provide strategic input from quality and business perspectives to strategic supply chain projects and new business developments involving new supply chain partners.
5. Liaise with other WFP units or projects on matters related to QMS, ensuring alignment with WFP ways of working and supporting implementation of supply chain strategies
6. Lead and motivate QMS specialized team providing coaching, training and guidance as required to ensure appropriate development and enable high performance.
7. Provide QMS advice and guidance to WFP staff at all levels, partners and governments, building capacity to connect to markets, manage QMS systems and deliver TSL services in compliance to relevant QMS standards.
8. Represent pharmaceutical quality on the WFP leadership team and dynamise Quality Advisory Group meetings, providing latest updates on Quality Management System deployment, quality related risks management and other relevant topics.
9. Act as quality responsible person on GMP/GDP licenses held by WFP global and local hubs, as needed.
10. Participate in pharma quality-related forums representing WFP when required, developing relationships within industry and with health authorities to ensure WFP interests are supported.
11. Oversee and prepare accurate and timely data collection and reporting of quality metrics, to inform supply planning and contribute to a WFP wide view of logistics activities, enabling informed decision making and consistency of information presented to stakeholders.
12. Ensure WFP Regional Bureaus and Country Offices receive the required support when deploying Quality Management System.
13. Provide technical recommendations and guidance in the management of quality related risks to enable WFP to remain compliant to QMS requirements as per International Standards.
14. Lead quality self-audit programme reporting on deviations and following-up the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
15. Supports in the design, preparation and delivery of TSL trainings.
16. Carry out any other duties as requested

QUALIFICATIONS AND KEY REQUIREMENTS

Education:

You have:

• Advanced university degree from a recognized academic institution in one or more of the following areas: Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biology, Biochemistry or related subjects relevant to the pharmaceutical quality of medicinal products, or as required by local legislation for the supervision of medicinal product distribution.

Experience:

You have:

• A minimum of five (5) years previous experience is required in pharmaceutical distribution or manufacturing, preferably including interaction with the humanitarian field.

Language:

You have:

• Fluent in oral and written English
• Fluency in oral and written French is highly desirable

MORE ABOUT YOU

You have:

• Clear communication skills with cross-functional stakeholders.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team.
• Ability to influence direct and indirect reports to deliver results.
• Ability to work well in a matrix organization set up and influence key stakeholders.
• Integrity/confidentiality.
• Agility/flexibility.
• A can-do attitude in an area of work very new for the WFP
• Ability to explain complex concepts / plans / solutions in simple terms
• Ability to facilitate strategic/technical conversations and drive stakeholders’ consensus
• Customer service-oriented mind-set and excellent communication skills
• Ability to create and maintain strong relationships with key counterparts
• Team player and ability to deal with evolving contexts and priorities
• Full Commitment to the objectives, mandate and code of ethics of the WFP

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Professional work experience relevant to scientific, regulatory and quality assessments of medicinal products, vaccines, or biotherapeutics.
• Experience of quality oversight of contractors and service providers.
• Experience working with humanitarian agencies (e.g. UNICEF, MSF, GAVI).
• Familiar with health and other regulatory authorities in low-income settings.
• Project management experience.
• Experience with WFP and/or UNHRD operations and service provision is an advantage.

WFP LEADERSHIP FRAMEWORK

These are the common standards of behaviour that guide HOW we work together to accomplish our mission.

Leads by Example with Integrity Drives Results and Delivers on Commitments Fosters Inclusive and Collaborative Teamwork Applies Strategic Thinking Builds and Maintains Sustainable Partnerships Lives the WFP values and shows humanity and integrity by role modelling care for others

Delivers on commitments and adapts readily to change

Is inclusive and collaborative, and contributes to a culture of learning and personal growth

Demonstrates commitment to gather perspectives, analyse options and risks, and propose new ways of doing things

Builds and nurtures external partnerships and collaborates with partners to deliver common objectives

Different expectations of behaviour are defined depending on your grade and role/responsibilities within WFP.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

A Limited Fixed-Term Appointment (LFT) position is a non-mobile staff appointment in the international professional category for a limited period of up to 2 years.

WFP offers an attractive compensation and benefits package in line with ICSC standards (http://icsc.un.org) including basic salary, post adjustment, relocation entitlement, visa, travel and shipment allowances, 30 days’ annual leave, home leave, an education grant for dependent children, a pension plan, and medical insurance.

The position is based in Rome, Italy and the selected candidate will be expected to relocate.

REMINDERS BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

• We strongly recommend that your profile is accurate, complete, and includes your employment records, academic qualifications, language skills and UN Grade (if applicable)
• Once your profile is completed, please apply, and submit your application
• Please make sure you upload your professional CV in the English language
• Kindly note the only documents you will need to submit at this time are your CV and Cover Letter
• Additional documents such as passport, recommendation letters, academic certificates, etc. may potentially be requested at a future time
• Please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any challenges with submitting your application
• Only shortlisted candidates will be notified

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All employment decisions are made on the basis of organizational needs, job requirements, merit, and individual qualifications. WFP is committed to providing an inclusive work environment free of sexual exploitation and abuse, all forms of discrimination, any kind of harassment, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. Therefore, all selected candidates will undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

No appointment under any kind of contract will be offered to members of the UN Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Questions (ACABQ), International Civil Service Commission (ICSC), FAO Finance Committee, WFP External Auditor, WFP Audit Committee, Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) and other similar bodies within the United Nations system with oversight responsibilities over WFP, both during their service and within three years of ceasing that service.