Unit Head Quality Assurance (Health Products)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Procurement and Supply Services aims to ensure high-quality, consistent and responsive supply services through a collaborative approach that supports the efficient delivery of WHO programmes. The Department is dedicated to enhancing the quality and efficiency of supply services for WHO programmes through collaborative approaches and manages corporate procurement, global agreements, procurement policies, emergency health kits, and global shipping. In addition, the Department is leading a supply strategy focused on operational excellence, a key emphasis of which is on improving quality assurance in health procurement, working in close alignment with WHO technical and standard setting departments.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is a senior professional expert on quality assurance matters, particularly as they pertain to procurement and supply chain, and liaises with WHO Prequalification unit, Legal, Finance, Emergency, Compliance, Risk Management and Ethics and regional counterparts within the Organization. The Quality Assurance lead will build a wide range of partnerships with UN agencies, donor institutions, counterparts in WHO technical units and Collaborating Centres, public health institutions, and other stakeholders in the development of QA related solutions to public health issues.

Provide leadership, strategic guidance and technical support on quality assurance for the sourcing and monitoring of health products procured and supplied by WHO with the following key responsibilities:

• Oversee the implementation, revision, update of the WHO QA Manual Model Quality Assurance Policy for procurement and any other related documents (including, standard operating procedures, working instructions and training documents) in collaboration with other WHO programmes, regions and offices.
• Facilitate effective collaborative work planning and implementation processes for the application, monitoring, oversight and review of QA practices.
• Lead and coordinate the quality assessment of health products sources procured by WHO with appropriate documentation, and coordinate the creation and updating of WHO database of qualified suppliers and health products.
• Lead and coordinate the development, revision, creation of the WHO Emergency Health kit (EHKs), in collaboration with the technical units and ensure the quality of the EHKs along the supply chain.
• Participate in the adjudication of tenders for health products for QA aspects, performance review of suppliers and distributors, including audits and technical visits.
• Direct and monitor quality complaints and recall and provide technical advice and guidance for the selection of quality control laboratories for long term agreements.
• Technically guide the strategy for ensuring sustainability aspects in health procurement without compromising quality, in close collaboration with WHO Environment, Climate Change and Health unit.

Provide advisory and technical support services WHO Country Offices, Regional Offices and headquarter unit staff on quality assurance related issues, with the following key responsibilities:

• Provide high-level advisory and technical advice and guidance to WHO procurement and supply chain managements staff on technical issues related to the quality of health products and monitoring of suppliers for all quality assurance aspects.
• Support the audit and investigation process (internal, external), including supporting the timely and effective implementation of QA recommendations.
• Lead on the identification of QA issues, challenges and risks and provide constructive solutions in the handling of health products at country level (storage and distribution), including preparing operating procedures and process documentation.
• Ensure WHO staff training and the availability of training materials and technical updates and contribute to information sharing across the organization.

Ensure collaboration and communication with quality assurance experts from international, regional and local levels, with the following responsibilities:

• Manage and lead the communication with WHO, other UN agencies, non-governmental agencies, and other key actors for all matters related to QA of health products and providing technical support to respond to queries from media, donor and partners.
• Represent WHO in relevant technical meetings with partners, working groups and work towards harmonization and update of the QA Policy and other relevant QA matters (e.g. substandard/falsified health products).
• Contribute substantially to information sharing on quality of sources and quality complaints with other agencies/partners at the global, regional and local level.
• Actively participate in WHO and other relevant external networks to promote the QA function and its implementation in relevant forums.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master's degree in pharmacy, public health, biochemistry, or related scientific field.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years of relevant experience in the domain of pharmaceuticals, out of which a number of years in the domain of quality assurance of pharmaceutical manufacturers and/or quality control of pharmaceuticals.
• Experience in researching and analysing legislation and policy of different QA systems.
• International experience in low-to-middle-income countries.
  

Desirable:

• Experience in technical and regulatory assessment of products' dossiers of medicines, medical devices, and personal protective equipment.
• Experience in large-scale public health programs designed to protect health care workforce, promote surveillance and detection of infectious diseases, and provide immediate health supplies in response to health emergencies.
• Experience in WHO, other UN or another international public health organization.
• Experience of UN procurement and supply chain.

Skills

• Leadership: Guiding teams and managing quality assurance processes effectively.
• Organizational and Planning: Coordinating quality assurance activities and aligning them with procurement strategies.
• Statistical Analysis: Interpreting data to make informed decisions about product quality and supplier performance.
• Industry-Specific Technical Knowledge: Understanding of healthcare regulations and product standards including dossier assessments and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) audits.
• Risk Management: Identifying potential risks related to supply chain disruptions or product recalls and implementing contingency plans.
• Attention to Detail: Ensuring that all products meet strict regulatory standards and vetting suppliers for their adherence to quality control processes and certifications.
• Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Ensuring the effective use of resources
5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
6. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 92,731 (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 3655 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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 E-Manual.

• 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 workforce. 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.

• 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 short-listed candidates.

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

• 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.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

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