Technical Officer – Essential Drugs and Medicines

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 138,365 USD and 178,394 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 WHO Country Office collaborates with the Government of Bangladesh and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) to provide technical assistance to the Government in the formulation of national drug policies, strategies and plan of actions and developing guidelines and tools for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions for improving access of essential medicines related activities; and in the strengthening of the capacity of the NRA and NCL.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to the Bangladesh Country Office, direct supervision of the WHO Country Office Health Systems Team Leader, and working in close collaboration with the Regional Office advisor on essential drugs and medicines; and the health system team in the country office, the incumbent will be working with the national authorities and other relevant stakeholders to:

1) Provide technical assistance 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; other medical products and technologies;

2) Provide technical assistance to the government and relevant authorities on strengthening the rational use of drugs and medicines and anti-microbial resistance;

3) Provide technical support towards the strengthening of the Directorate General of Drug Administration in regard to its regulatory functions of drugs and medicines (including vaccines);

4) Assist in the strengthening of integrated, people-centered health service delivery, with a focus on improving the quantification, procurement and the drug supply chain management system;

5) Assist the Government of Bangladesh in strengthening its regulatory framework towards intellectual property rights and the trade of medical products (drugs, medicines and vaccines) and technologies;

6) Support the generation of evidence and increased demand for the use of information in the policy process as related to essential drugs and medicines (including its rational use);

7) Establish and maintain collaboration with outside partners and stakeholders including UN Organizations, the Global Fund, GAVI, BMGF, the World Bank and other multi and bi-lateral organizations, civil society and professional associations that are involved in improving access to quality assured drugs and medicines;

8) Manage the WHO related work plan activities (including contractual arrangements) in regard to essential drugs and medicines, anti-microbial resistance, regulatory functions of the national drug authority, medical technology, and intellectual property rights, including the recruitment of short term experts as required.

9) Contribute to Universal Health Coverage related efforts with a focus on Essential Drugs and Medicines;

10) Support efforts towards strengthening the stewardship and good governance functions related to Essential Drugs and Medicines and in general contribute to overall efforts on health systems development;

11) Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

12)Submit an assignment report upon completion of assignment.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in pharmacy or medicine with post graduate degree in public health or health management or pharmacology or pharmaceutical management related area. Desirable: Additional training in drug supply management and/pharmacovigilance.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of relevant experience in essential drugs and medicines policies; rational drug use principles (selection, prescribing and dispensing)in low income settings; and public health, some of which should have been obtained in an international context. Desirable: Experience in pharmaceutical regulation and quality control (medicines and health legislation, surveillance system); and procurement and supply chain management(good procurement practices, good distribution practices, good storage practices, good pharmacy practices).

Skills

Essential: Demonstrated expertise in national drug policies, rational drug use, quality assurance and use of WHO standards and guidelines on pre-qualification of essential medicines and vaccines.Desirable:-Knowledge on supply chain management and ability to identify bottlenecks and provide appropriate solutions. -Demonstrated experience in inter-sectoral collaboration and ability to work with other agencies and development partners.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English Desirable:

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 75,602 (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 2898 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• 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.