Roster Technical Officer, Essential Medicines

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objective of the WHO EMT programme is to provide practical and evidence-based guidance for developing actions to improve access to affordable quality medicines and medical products, to ensure that medicines and medical products are appropriately used, and to strengthen the national regulatory system and pharmaceutical systems. The WHO EMT programme specifically aims at supporting the Department of Health and related agencies and institutions in:

1. addressing issues of medicines policy and coordination, adequate financing, affordable prices, procurement and supply management, as well as intellectual property rights and international trade agreements;
2. strengthening quality assurance through an improved regulatory system, including measures against substandard and falsified medicines;
3. ensuring rational selection and use of medicines; and
4. combating AMR with a One Health approach.
   

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the first level supervisor and HWO, with close collaboration with the EMT, Division of Health Systems and Services, WPRO, the incumbent will perform the following functions:

• Co-ordinate and support the delivery of technical and managerial advice to the government and national stakeholders in the development and implementation of sustainable, multi-sectoral and integrated strategies, policies, work programmes and plans for the area of Essential Medicines and Health Technologies (EMT) including antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
• Support the development and monitoring of work plans and budgets, and follow up on the implementation of planned activities, in consultation with national counterparts.
• Support the provision of technical advice, strategies, and policies for strengthening country capacity to implement, evaluate and monitor EMT and AMR programmes including financing of the systems.
• Technically support the monitoring of country activities on EMT and AMR especially through health information systems and health research activities.
• Technically support and coordinate the adaptation and implementation of evidence-based norms, standards, guidelines, and tools in the relevant programme areas.
• Contribute to and coordinate the collection, analysis and documenting of best practices and partners' experiences, promoting national and subnational perspectives.
• Serve as national resource for activities and programmes related to essential technologies, traditional medicines, organ donation as well as health and trade issues
• Contribute to the development or strengthening of strategic partnerships and mobilizing of resources for EMT and AMR. Support the national authorities in grant implementation and reporting.
• Coordinate the development of Information, Education and Communication ((IEC) materials to foster community awareness and health practice in the life course area(s).
• Perform all other related duties as assigned by the supervisor/s.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in pharmacy, or health sciences.
Desirable: Postgraduate (master’s level or higher) qualification in public health.

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/

Experience

Essential: A minimum of two years' relevant experience in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public health programmes in the area of essential medicine and/or pharmaceuticals.
Desirable: Experience in working with the Department of Health and other relevant partner agencies/institutions in essential medicine and/or pharmaceuticals and medicine financing at the national level. Experience in working with international organizations. Experience in collaborative programmes. Experience in writing proposals, strategic papers and technical reports.

Skills

• Sound knowledge and relevant experience in the development and management of health projects related to medicines.
• Ability to work strategically with the Department of Health, NGOs, and other partners.
• Ability to identify and solve problems in difficult circumstances, and leadership skills in a multidisciplinary and multinational environment.
• Excellent analytical and organizational skills, with proven ability to elaborate and implement effective strategies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Tact, discretion and ability to promote consensus.

• Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

  
  

WHO Competencies

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:
who-enhanced-competence.pdf

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Knowing and managing yourself
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English and local language

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at PHP 1,827,954 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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 Manual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.

• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women and persons with disabilities (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• 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.

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

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

• 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.

• 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.

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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