Technical Officer for Essential Medicines

Volunteering Medical & Health

Overview

Provide technical support to countries for essential medicine programs.

You have:

• Fluency in English and/or French is required; working knowledge in Portuguese is desirable.
• Experience in essential medicines or other relevant programmes at the national and/or international level.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work under minimum supervision and tight deadlines.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in MS Office and familiarity with database management.
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) is one of WHO's 6 regional offices around the world. It serves the WHO African Region, which comprises 47 Member States with the Regional Office in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. As the lead agency on health, WHO AFRO works with the Member States and development partners to improve the health and well-being of people. This work involves translation of global health initiatives into regional plans that respond to the specific needs and challenges of countries in the Region. AFRO supports countries to achieve better health outcomes through technical and policy advice, development of national health policies and strategies, norms and standards, generation and sharing of knowledge and convening health partners. Key areas of work include health system development, combating communicable and non-communicable diseases, preparedness and response plan or emergencies and maternal and child health and other areas of public health priority. This UNV assignment is part of AFRO’s project/flagship programming initiative etc. Within the context of the Universal Health Coverage Life Course (UHC/LC) Cluster and the Medicines Supply, Health Infrastructure, Equipment Maintenance (MIM) Unit, the blood safety and organ and tissue transplant provides specialized advice to the Team.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of MIM Team Leader or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer Technical Officer for Essential Medicine will provide support to countries to:

1. Provide technical support to the planning, formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of EMP programs, including medical supply chain activities and the use of the Interagency Emergency Health Kit 2015 in emergency settings, with focus on the capacity building of relevant stakeholders to reach affected and vulnerable populations.
2. Provide technical guidance to the national health authorities on the acceptance of medical product donations and the implementation of the interagency medicines’ donation guidelines. Monitor the availability of SSFFC medical products and report to WHO global monitoring system.
3. Liaise with the WHO team and national health authorities on quality control and assurance systems for procurement, supply chain management, distribution, and storage, including cold storage of medical products and issues related to access of quality-assured medical products, market intelligence, pricing, and the appropriate use of medical products at the various health care levels.
4. Provide technical guidance on ways to improve medical device management in health care facilities, in compliance with WHO standards and guiding documents.
5. Monitor and analyze the impact of the supply chain management of medical products and new policies and strategies and, where needed, propose new supply management and pharmaceutical care initiatives to address the outbreaks and health emergencies needs, in collaboration with other team members and international partners.
6. Support Member States on improving access to assistive technologies.
7. Coordinate the publishing and dissemination of information, documents and guidelines on best practices and coordinated efforts pertaining to the various technical activities.
8. Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

essential medicines or other relevant programmes at the national and/or international level; within provision of technical support is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organizations; • Experience in policy formulation and quality management, strategic and policy planning as well as sound understanding of health systems. • Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills; • Languages: fluency in English and/or French is required + working knowledge in Portuguese is desirable; • Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing; • Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development; • Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel; • Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment; • Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines; • Desirable: valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain; (if not applicable, delete) • Sound security awareness; • Have affinity with or interest in public health, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

The Republic of Congo is a low-middle income country, located in Central Africa sub-region.

The country shares boundaries with Gabon in the South-West, Cameroon and Central Republic Africa in the North and Northeast, the Democratic Republic of Congo in the East, Angola and Atlantic Ocean in the South.

Since 2014, the Republic of Congo is experiencing an economic downturn, affecting the economic growth (-5 per cent in 2017). Because of the persistent drop in the price of oil, this situation drove to the decline of the gross domestic product per capita, from $3,196 in 2013 to $1,658 in 2017. Nevertheless, the country is globally stable and safe in the main urban and rural areas.

Frequent disruptions are recorded in the electricity supply, particularly in Brazzaville (political capital) and Pointe-Noire (economic capital). The living cost is relatively affordable, but some concerns with the cost of decent housing should be noted. The population enjoys dressing in style and loves music both profane and religious.

According to United Nations security standards, life and travel in Brazzaville and in the other areas major are secure.

The Republic of Congo is a unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

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Potential interview questions

Added 2 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org