Technical Officer (Novel Medicines Platform)

Overview

Provide technical support to improve access to high-cost novel medicines.

You have:

• Advanced university degree (Master's level) in medical sciences, pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences, economics, or health economics.
• At least 7 years of professional experience in the development, implementation and co-ordination of pharmaceutical policies relating to access to novel high-cost medicines in international and European settings.
• Solid theoretical and applied knowledge of key issues related to access to effective novel high-cost medicines and health products at the regional, or global levels.
• Proven ability to critically review and provide authoritative advice on technical areas relating to access to novel medicines, including incentives, pricing, selection, health technology assessment, reimbursement and use.
• Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment.
• Expert knowledge of English.
• Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian, German.

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 158,652 USD and 204,549 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 Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) assists countries in the Region with the design and implementation of appropriate health policies and systems to strengthen universal health coverage. It works to strengthen data-driven, evidence-informed, contextually tailored health policy development and implementation at national, regional and local levels, taking an inclusive approach across the life course. The Division advocates strengthening of public health leadership, focusing on implementing policies that are people centred, promote health, prevent illness, and address the social and economic determinants of health, while fostering leadership on equity, human rights and gender mainstreaming in health. It focuses on building capacity for health systems innovation to enable the sustainable delivery of high-quality primary health and community services that are effectively linked to hospitals, and mental health, public health and social care services. Todo so, CPS supports country efforts to facilitate access so as to leave nobody behind, to improve financial protection, to strengthen the health workforce, to increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology. The Access to Medicines and Health Products (AMP) unit works to provide strategic direction, technical assistance and tailored support to countries to improve access to quality medicines and health products in a manner that is reliable, affordable and sustainable for health systems across the European Region. This includes supporting work towards the development of a multi-stakeholder collaboration platform (WHO/Europe NMP) through which patients, health systems and governments can attain affordable pharmaceuticals that meet their needs, whilst investors and the pharmaceutical industry are incentivized to innovate. The AMP unit develops country capacity to tackle vulnerabilities in regulatory, production, procurement and supply chains, with a focus on sub-standard and falsified medicines and health products. It works cross programmatically to improve financial protection by addressing out of pocket payment and high pricing for medicines as well as to improve governance of the whole medicines management system.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To provide technical and operational support to development of the multi stakeholder WHO Regional Office for Europe Access to Novel Medicines Platform (WHO/Europe NMP) and improve access to effective high-cost and novel medicines at affordable prices to achieve universal health coverage and reduce out of pocket payments. Through the WHO/Europe NMP and working within the WHO/Europe Governance and FENSA processes, the incumbent will engage with Member States, non-State actors and other partners to identify and agree on actions, including the accelerated implementation of the WHA 72.8 resolution on improving market transparency. The incumbent will also enable technical and operational guidance to European Member States and support countries to develop and strengthen their systems with a focus on access to effective high-cost and novel medicines and health products and health technology assessment (HTA).

Key duties:

Under the oversight of the Senior Policy Adviser, AMP, the incumbent will assume the following core responsibilities and achieve the stated tasks:

1. Provide technical expertise and co-ordinating input to the development of the WHO/Europe NMP ensuring that its development and related technical agenda is both fully informed by the needs of Member States and aligned with the work of WHO/EURO, other WHO Regional Offices and WHO/HQ.
2. Within the context of the WHO/Europe NMP, coordinate the technical interactions with the Platform partners (including the European Commission, OECD, International Horizon Scanning Initiative, the Observatory and WHO Collaborating Centres).
3. Within the context of the WHO/Europe NMP, and working through formal MS and NSA consultations, provide technical input and coordinate the drafting of the WHO ‘Working Document' and ‘Terms of Reference' that describe the WHO/Europe strategy and roadmap for the platform.
4. In the context of WHO/Europe NMP lead on the development and delivery of the agreed technical agenda through multistakeholder working groups.
5. Support the preparation and delivery of policy dialogues with Member States to improve access to effective high-cost and novel medicines
6. Provide expert technical advice to countries on pharmaceutical sector reform relating to improving access to effective high-cost and novel medicines, including the use of Health Technology Assessment (HTA).
7. Build technical capacity at country level to manage and improve access to effective high-cost and novel medicines through hosting of webinars, meetings, training programmes, and the creation of‘ best practice' written summaries and case examples.
8. Provide technical support to AMP Unit in resource mobilization efforts related to activities of the WHO/Europe NMP by drafting of concept notes that align with donors' priorities.
9. Carry out the requisite reporting on programme activities within EURO, to HQ and donors; provide technical input contributing to the formulation of selected workplans in the area.
10. Perform other duties within the scope of the work assigned as requested by the supervisors.

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master's level) in medical sciences, pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences, economics, or health economics. Desirable: Additional university degree in economics or health economics.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of professional experience in the development, implementation and co-ordination of pharmaceutical policies relating to access to novel high-cost medicines in international and European settings. Desirable: Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations

Skills

1. Solid theoretical and applied knowledge of key issues related to access to effective novel high-cost medicines and health products at the regional, or global levels.
2. Proven ability to critically review and provide authoritative advice on technical areas relating to access to novel medicines, including incentives, pricing, selection, health technology assessment, reimbursement and use.
3. Demonstrated ability to manage interactions and technical issues with a broad group of stakeholders.
4. Full proficiency in Microsoft 365Office package, including Powerpoint.
5. Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others do the same.
6. Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Moving forward in a changing environment
5. Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian, German.

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 3486 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.

Potential interview questions