Technical Officer, Production and Access to Medical Devices

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The Department of Innovation, Access to Medicines and Health Technologies (IMT) is responsible for promoting, coordinating, and implementing the Organization’s technical cooperation in access to and rational use of quality medicines and other health technologies. IMT works across all categories of medicines and health technologies, including medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, medical equipment, blood products, and organs for transplantation. IMT supports countries in addressing barriers to access, addressing challenges across the medical product full life cycle, strengthening regulatory capacity and supporting evidence-based decision making and rational use through health technology assessment. IMT consolidates action in the development of pharmaceutical and other health technology related services and leads efforts in innovation through the regional platform to advance the manufacturing of vaccines and other health technologies, increasing regional capacity in the research and development of priority health products, and supporting the generation of ecosystems to enable development, production and access to medicines and other health technologies. IMT is comprised of the following units and Special Program: Access to Medicines and Health Technologies (IMT/AH), Quality and Regulation of Medicines and Health Technologies (IMT/QR) and Special Program, Innovation and the Regional Production Platform (IMT/RP).

The technical officer is a member of the Special Program, Innovation and the Regional Production Platform (IMT/RP), providing technical support for the implementation of technical cooperation activities in countries in the Region of the Americas, coherent with strategic orientations provided through Resolutions of the PAHO Governing Bodies, the Strategic Plan, and the Biennial Program Budget (BWP). The incumbent will provide technical support to Member States to strengthen their development and manufacturing capacities to improve access to essential medicines and health technologies and will also represent PAHO on multiple projects related to this objective.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director, Innovation and Access to Medicines and Health Technologies (IMT) and the direct supervision of the of the Chief, Special Program, Innovation and the Regional Production Platform (IMT/RP), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

a)Provide support for the development and strengthening of manufacturing capacities to improve access to essential medicines and health technologies in the Region;

b)Provide technical support for the development and implementation of tools for mapping the production capacity for selected medical devices and assistive products in the region; identify and analyze experiences related to local production to identify bottlenecks, assess their impact and derive lessons for future initiatives;

c)Support the implementation of sub-regional hubs for quality control of personal protective equipment (PPE) produced in Latin America and the Caribbean, based in Colombia and El Salvador;

d)Provide technical support to Member States for specific queries related to increasing capacities for the local development and production of medical devices and assistive technologies;

e)Provide technical support on strategies to increase access to medical devices and to strengthen health technology management in the region;

f)Support the identification of priority medical devices with access and innovation or local manufacturing gaps, in coordination with other areas of the organization;

g)Support the development of lists of priority medical devices according to the levels of care;

h)Participate in meetings with internal and/or external stakeholders, including national and regional meetings with PAHO Member states, to provide technical recommendations related to local development and production of medical devices and assistive technologies;

i)Participate in the implementation and development of the technical activities of the IMT/RP and collaborate with the implementation of related inter-programmatic technical activities with other units and departments as defined in the Biennial Work Plan (BWP);

j)Support the development of corporate work plans, progress reports, budget monitoring, outcomes evaluation, and communication;

k)Provide support for the organization of technical meetings, webinars, and other related activities;

l)Liaise with technical counterparts in WHO and WHO’s Regional Offices to share experiences regarding manufacturing value chains of medical devices;

m) Perform any other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in a health science, biomedical engineering or any other area related to the functions of the post from a recognized university.

Desirable: A master’s degree in biomedical engineering or equivalent from a recognized university would be an asset.

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.PAHO, considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in one of the following databases:

World Higher Education Database (WHED), 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/

Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp

College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/ college navigator to support the validation process.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org

Experience:

Essential: Five years of combined national and international experience in programs or activities related to health technologies, medical devices management, regulatory systems, quality management systems, including experience on quality assurance of medical devices, including in-vitro diagnostics.

SKILLS:

PAHO Competencies:

·Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.

·Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others. - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve results; encourages cooperation and builds rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the teams’ successes and shortcomings. Identifies conflicts in a timely manner and addresses them as necessary; understands issues from the perspective of others; does not interpret/ attribute conflicts to cultural, geographical or gender issues.

·Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.

·Communication: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Write effectively/Listen/Shares knowledge - Quality and quantity of communication targeted at audience. Listens attentively and does not interrupt other speakers. Adapts communication style and written content to ensure they are appropriately and accurately understood by the audience (e.g., power-point presentations, communication strategies, implementation plans). Shares information openly with colleagues and transfers knowledge, as needed.

·Knowing and managing yourself: Manages stress/Invite feedback/Continuously learn - Remains productive even in an environment where information or direction is not available, and when facing challenges; recovers quickly from setbacks, where necessary. Manages stress positively; remains positive and productive even under pressure; does not transfer stress to others. Seeks feedback to improve knowledge and performance; shows self- awareness when seeking and receiving feedback; uses feedback to improve own performance. Seeks informal and/or formal learning opportunities for personal and professional development; systematically learns new competencies and skills useful for job; takes advantage of learning opportunities to fill competencies and skill gaps.

·Producing Results: Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own timelines effectively and efficiently. Shows awareness of own role and clarifies roles of team members in relation to project’s expected results. Makes proposals for improving processes as required and takes responsibility for own work and/or actions, as necessary. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.

·Moving forward in a changing environment: Propose change/Adapt to change - Suggests and articulates effective and efficient proposals for change as needed when new circumstances arise. Quickly and effectively adapts own work approach in response to new demands and changing priorities. Is open to new ideas, approaches and working methods; adjusts own approach to embrace change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:

·Ability to integrate and apply good practices in development, production and quality control of medical devices and assistive technologies, as well as to develop standard operating procedures and guidelines.

·Demonstrated knowledge of international standards for safety, efficacy, and quality of medical devices, including in assistive technologies.

·Ability to analyze technical information and synthesize inputs; support the development of criteria.

·Strong analytical, planning and operational skills.

·Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment and to re-prioritize actions on short notice.

·Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations and technical documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential. Knowledge of logistics management information systems and other software programs such as Visio, Access, SPC Explorer RT and/or Workday would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

Monthly Salary: (Net of taxes)

US $4,198.08 (Salary is non-negotiable)

Post Adjustment:

US $7,145.14. This amount is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

·This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates to fill other similar short-term professional positions, at the same grade level.

·PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including a monthly net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance).Other benefits may include: 2.5 days annual leave per month, generous telework policy, parental leave, sick leave, pension plan, and health insurance scheme.Other benefits for internationally recruited staff may include travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, settling-in grant and rental subsidy.

·Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this position as a form of screening.

·The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.

·Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

·For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org

·PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

·PAHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.

·PAHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of misconduct.

·PAHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.

·PAHO/WHO is a smoke-free environment.

·Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are encouraged.

·All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.