Director (Regulation and Prequalification of Medicines and Health Products)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objectives of the Department of Regulation and Prequalification of Medicines and Health Products (RPQ) are to ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of medicines and health products globally. The immediate strategic objective and priorities is to achieve greater country impact through building capacity of Regulatory systems in LIMC, establishment of reliance mechanism among National Regulatory Authorities, and streamlining prequalification processes of quality-assured, safe and effective medicines and health products, thereby contributing to global health and sustainable development. RPQ department closely works with the Health Product Standards and Access (HPS) department in line with the WHO Road map for access to safe, effective and quality-assured health products and technologies2025-2030, and in collaboration with the wider framework of health systems-oriented programmes and disease-oriented programmes to contribute the 14thGPW and Sustainable Development Goals.
 

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Generic duties 

• Leads the Department in providing technical expertise to Member States and other Stakeholders with guidance and technical data required for the development, implementation, and monitoring of national and/or global policies and programmes.

• Provides the overall leadership, management accountability, and direction of the Department in delivering its objectives through managing and galvanizing a diverse work financial resources to optimize the department's deliverables and mandate. 

• Provides senior level technical advice and expertise to Senior Management in the area of assigned responsibilities to position the Department and Organization as a leader in the respective area. 

• Directs and leads overall establishment and development of the Department's evidence-based policies and strategies for roll-out and delivery for Regional and Country Office implementation.

• Oversees the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of the Department's area of work to develop key performance indicators and global reporting requirements and mechanisms to ensure optimal performance of the Department's deliverables.

• Serves as the scientific/technical reference among UN Agencies and other key players in the respective areas.

• Promotes the integration of Regional Country Office perspectives and operational capacities into the Department's programme area of work. 

• Builds strong partnerships and fosters consensus building with External Partners, Member States, UN Agencies, Donors, cutting edge research institutions and other stakeholders in the subject area to politically position the technical area of work and implementation into national and/or global policies.

• Represent the Organization and Department area of work in a diverse array of global fora to position WHO as a leader in the global health community.

• Provide strategic leadership to foster cross-departmental and cross-divisional collaboration, aligning organizational priorities to maximize synergies and impact. 

• Strengthen institutional coherence by integrating efforts across HQ, regional, and country levels. 

• Champion collective action through coordinated resource mobilization, knowledge sharing, and cross-functional initiatives.

• Support the mobilization of voluntary contributions in alignment with WHO's core mandates, strategic priorities, and key programmatic areas.

• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

  Specific duties

• Lead the implementation of the WHO Access Road Map (2025-2030), advancing regulation and prequalification of health products in alignment with international standards and advocacy priorities.

• Oversee policy development to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicines and health products.

• Coordinate with key regulatory authorities (e.g., EMA, FDA, AMA) to strengthen systems, promote harmonization, and expand reliance mechanisms.

• Provide strategic guidance and technical support for capacity-building in Member States and regulatory agencies.

• Monitor and evaluate programme performance to ensure alignment with the14th GPW and Access Road Map goals.

• Support resource mobilization efforts aligned with WHO's core mandates and strategic priorities.

• Engage with high-level representatives from host countries, donors, and partners to ensure sustained support for regulatory and prequalification initiatives.
   

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree in medicine, pharmacy or other health-related science, complemented by a post-graduate degree in public health, a health-related science, or a relevant social science field related to the functions of the position.
Desirable: A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields. Specialized training in regulatory affairs or pharmaceutical sciences. Certification in project management or health administration.
 

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 15 years of professional experience in the management of the Regulation and Prequalification of Medicines and Health Products programme, including experience providing senior level advice and guidance to Senior Management/Decision makers, managing human and financial resources, as well as experience in the area of developing and establishing policies and strategies. Demonstrated experience at the international level.
Desirable: At least five years of experience managing regulatory functions and access to medicines and health products policies. Experience interacting with high-level government agencies and funding partners to develop policies for safe, effective, affordable, and quality-assured medicines and health products. Experience with international expert groups, advocacy, resource mobilization, and quality management programmes.
 

Skills

• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing polices and strategies. 

• Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources. 

• Strong understanding and skills in mobilizing resources. 

• Ability to engage, build consensus and communicate effectively and diplomatically with Member States, partners and media. Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health subject area. 

• Globally respected level of technical expertise and knowledge in the area of Regulation and Prequalification of Medicines and Health Products. 

• Proven leadership skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of public health/disease control programmes.

• Rich expertise and deep knowledge on the regulatory framework of medicines and health products, i.e. European Medicines Agency (EMA), US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) and other Stringent Regulatory Authorities.

• Extensive expertise in developing and implementing regulatory policies and strategies for medicines and health products, including green-friendly products.

• Proven ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders, i.e. EMA, USFDA, AMA, UNICEF, UNFPA,c, to achieve common goals.

• Strong proficiency in designing and evaluating effective regulatory interventions, such as dossier review process, inspections and registration procedure, etc.
   

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Driving the Organization to a Successful Future
• Ensuring the effective use of resources

• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of 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 130,477 (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 9840 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

• Staff members who have been separated as a result of the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will be given special consideration.

• Special Selection Procedures may apply

• 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.

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

• 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, 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 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.

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• 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 International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical 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.

• 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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