Technical Officer- Essential Medicines and 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 146,280 USD and 188,597 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

For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region outlines a vision for WHO’s work with Member States and partners in the Western Pacific. Strong, resilient, sustainable health systems are integral to delivering the four thematic priorities. Up to 60% of people living in some countries in the Region do not have access to safe, quality and affordable health services and medicines. One in five families spend 10% of their income on health care. This threatens individuals, families, communities and economies. The Division of Health Systems and Services (DHS) will contribute to taking forward the vision of, and the thematic priorities in For the Future. DHS will support Member States with high quality advice and assistance on health financing, health workforce, medical products, quality and safety, law and governance, women and children, rehabilitation, surgery and health services including primary health care so that they can build resilient, responsive and sustainable health systems.

Essential Medicines and Health Technologies (EMT) EMT supports Member States to strengthen pharmaceutical systems and regulations, including for traditional medicines to ensure equitable access to quality-assured, safe and effective therapies and health technologies and works along with other programmes to accelerate the fight against antimicrobial resistance in the Western Pacific Region.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Coordinator in Papua New Guinea and the general guidance of the Coordinator, Essential Medicines and Health Technologies, in the Regional Office, in close cooperation with the National Department of Health and other health sector development partners.

The incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical support to national counterparts for national activities/programmes related to updating/development of national medicines and other medical products/health technologies-related laws, policies and strategies, including planning for and execution of their implementation.
2. Provide technical support to national regulatory authority and related agencies and coordinate regulatory system strengthening initiatives for core regulatory functions to ensure safety, efficacy and quality of medicines, other medical products and health technologies in Papua New Guinea, including marketing authorization, clinical trial oversight, establishment licensing and inspection, quality surveillance and pharmacovigilance.
3. Facilitate WHO's support for capacity-development of counterparts and systems improvement for the effective supply management of essential medicines, other medical products and health technologies at national and subnational levels, including selection, quantification, procurement, distribution and storage.
4. Provide technical support for promoting rational use of medicines and other health technologies, including updating of essential medicines list and procurement lists, treatment guidelines and drug formulary and other relevant measures.
5. Provide technical support to national authorities and coordinate efforts with other technical units and partners to strengthen the health system’s response in addressing antimicrobial resistance through national/local antimicrobial stewardship programmes, antimicrobial consumption monitoring and awareness raising to achieve behavioural change regarding the optimal use of antimicrobials both by health professionals and patients/consumers.
6. Provide technical support to national counterparts and relevant agencies in measuring/monitoring data on essential medicines, other medical products and health technologies to inform policy development and programme planning including contributing to the production of national reports and other publications in the above areas and participating in regional and global surveys and assessments.
7. Perform other duties as assigned by the HWO and supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences or related field and an advanced university degree in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy, pharmaceutical & medical device development, public health, or related field from a recognized university/institution.

Desirable: Additional qualifications in supply chain management, regulatory affairs, engineering studies in medical devices and technologies, or health systems strengthening.

Experience

Essential: Minimum seven years of essential medicines and technology related work experience within a national regulatory authority or Ministry of Health with at least three years international experience in low- to low-middle-income country settings.

Desirable: A working knowledge of WHO systems.

Skills

• Ability to undertake policy analysis, planning, management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to apply knowledge of health systems and principles of integrated people-centred service delivery.
• Ability to synthesize information from multiple sources into coherent and clear policy advice to decision-makers.
• Communication skills with the ability to present clearly and logically in written and oral form.
• Organizational skills with the ability to work within strict deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Creating an empowering and motivating environment
5. Producing results
6. Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Written and spoken fluency in English Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

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 4505 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.