Technical Officer, INN and Classification of Medical Products

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 171,478 USD and 221,086 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 Access to Medicines and Health Products (MHP) Division works with Member States and partners to improve the access to safe, quality assured, efficacious and affordable medicines and health products and to promote that these are used rationally. In line with the GPW 13 strategic priorities and to achieve greater country impact, the Health Products Policy and Standards (HPS) Department works with the Regulation and Prequalification (RPQ) Department in the MHP division in the wider framework of access to medicines and health products and Universal Health Coverage and cooperates with the disease-oriented programmes (among others HIV/AIDS, TB,malaria, NCDs and mental health, reproductive health and maternal and child health, immunization) and health systems oriented programs such as Primary Health Care. The department works with a wide range of UN organizations, international partners, expert networks and WHO Collaborating Centres. This position is within the INN and Classification of Medical Products Unit of HPS. WHO has a constitutional mandate to develop, establish and promote international standards with respect to biological, pharmaceutical and similar products. WHO collaborates closely with INN experts and national nomenclature committees to select a single name of the worldwide acceptability for each active substance that is to be marketed as a pharmaceutical substance.

Programme objectives: To optimize WHO technical advice and political support to Member States by developing and promoting norms, standards and guidelines for quality, safety,rational use and efficacy of medicines. Activity objectives: To ensure WHO's constitutional responsibilities in the field of medicines nomenclature by the development of nomenclature policy guidelines and schemes; by providing one single name (INN) for active pharmaceutical substances; by giving advice to Member States in the Pharmaceutical nomenclature.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Collaborate with the INN Unit and support the INN Unit Head on projects established as public health priorities in the field of nomenclature for medicinal substances (e.g.: School of INN, Generic prescribing, global guidance nomenclature policy on biological medicinal substances, nomenclature policy for small pharmaceutical molecules etc.).

2. Elaborate technical background documents for INN Consultations under supervision of the INN Unit Head.

3. Provide guidance in the process of selection of INNs, including for biologicals.

4. Support the INN Unit Head in its leading role of pharmaceutical nomenclature.

5. Give advice to the INN Unit Head and the INN ad hoc Working Group in providing technical guidance to the WHO Collaborating Centres, relevant national /regional regulatory authorities, international institutions and pharmaceutical industries,

6. Write technical letters when requested by the supervisor.

7. All other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree level) in pharmacology or clinical pharmacy.

Desirable: A PhD in clinical pharmacology, clinic pharmacy, pharmaco epidemiology or a related field.

Experience

Essential: 1. Over 7 years working experience in pharmaceuticals, pharmaco epidemiology, biotherapeutics and related research, nomenclature or regulatory environment.

2. Experience at the international level.

Desirable: 1. Previous working experience in research in clinical pharmacy, biochemistry, biology and/or pharmacology would be an asset. 2. Experience in a multicultural environment or in an academic field.

Skills

1. A sound general knowledge of pharmacology with in-depth knowledge either of clinical pharmacy. 2. Ability to work in a team and to establish cross cluster collaboration in the relevant fields. 3. Ability to collaborate with external medicines nomenclature experts, biotechnology specialists and national INN experts. 4. Knowledge of Excel, Word, PowerPoint. Ability to quickly to learn INN IT tool. 5. Ability towork with the highest degree of accuracy. 6. Knowledge of biotherapies and advanced therapies would be an asset. 7. Clinical pharmacy knowledge and skills in bio informatics. 8. Knowledge of bio informatics and ability to use complex database to check and validate INN information.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork 2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences 3. Communication 4. Producing results 5. Setting an example

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of any other official UN language.

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 77,326 (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 5271 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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• 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.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion)are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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