Scientist

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 204,886 USD and 256,769 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.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Regulation and Prequalification Department (RPQ) works with Member States and partners to improve the access to essential medicines and other health technologies of assured quality, safety and efficacy or effectiveness. RPQ works within the Access to Medicines and Health Products Division (MHP) division departments in the wider framework of Universal Health Coverage and category 4 of the General Programme of Work and cooperates with disease oriented programmes (among others HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, reproductive health, maternal and child health, immunization, NCDs and mental health) towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The department works with a wide range of UN organizations, international partners and expert networks, and WHO Collaborating Centres.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Vaccines & Immunization Devices Assessment Team Lead, the incumbent will:--> Lead the prequalification of immunization equipment and devices.--> Within the Vaccines & Immunization Devices Assessment team, lead the PQT activities for implementation of the collaborative procedure for registration/acceptance of Prequalified vaccines and of immunization equipment and vaccine delivery technologies, where applicable.--> Review reports and provide other technical advice to team members before final clearance by the Team Lead.--> Liaise with the PQT Inspection Services team to define priorities for and scheduling of inspections including participation of the vaccines assessment group members in inspections. --> Liaise with the Regulation and Safety unit to define testing strategies taking into account quality aspects assessed during initial evaluation and during post prequalification monitoring. --> Provide feedback to the Regulation and Safety Unit based on information gathered during dossier evaluation, inspection and testing components of vaccine assessment for prequalification on continuing ability of the National Regulatory Authorities to ensure that vaccines are in continued compliance with WHO requirements and define strategies for evaluation of authorities following the WHO benchmarking tool with impact on PQT abbreviated assessment process. --> Evaluate and respond to incidents of vaccine quality or safety related complaints and provides technical advice to WHO, UNICEF Supply Division, other UN agencies, the vaccine producers, regulatory authorities and immunization programme officials on vaccine quality, adverse reactions (in liaison with the Pharmacovigilance team) or other events which might compromise vaccine quality and supply. --> Provide expert technical advice to procurement arms of the UN agencies on vaccine quality-related issues.--> Manage the monitoring of evaluations including maintenance of existing, and development of new IT tools to support this and regular reporting using these tools.--> Support the Team Lead on development of policies and procedures for assessment of new products and use of vaccines under WHO emergency responses.--> Represent MHP/RPQ/PQT at fora of vaccine prequalification stakeholders --> Undertakes other duties as assigned by the Vaccines & Immunization Devices Assessment team Lead and PQT Unit Head.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced level university degree in Biology, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Microbiology or related sciences from a recognized University. Desirable: Postgraduate degree or specialization in Microbiological sciences focused on vaccines and other biologicals.

Experience

Essential: At least 10 years of experience in biological standardization and/or development/production/control/quality assurance of vaccines and biologicals. Experience both at national and international level (5 years). At least 10 years' experience in the area of vaccine regulation. Desirable: Experience in managing projects and supervising staff. Familiarity with WHO prequalification procedure and National Regulatory Authority assessment procedure would be an asset. Work experience in developing countries would be an asset.

Skills

Solid scientific background, particularly in the area of vaccines. Extensive knowledge in the area of regulation of vaccines and other biologicals at both national and international levels.Understanding of Quality Systems. Ability to manage a project. Ability to manage staff. Expertise in and ability to work in a highly political international environment. Ability to promptly communicate issues of relevance for the organization within and outside the organization as needed and liaising with UN agencies, Regional advisers and countries.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Moving forward in a changing environment Creating an empowering and motivating environment### Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 89,837 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 6536 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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 may be used as a form of screening.

• 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 WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• 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.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.