Medicines and Local Production Officer - (SSA -NO-B)

WHO - World Health Organization

Pretoria

National

No grade level

Speaks English

Application deadline: August 19, 2026 (14 days)

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Summary by Impactpool

The Medicines and Local Production Officer will support the development and implementation of national strategies for local production of health technologies in South Africa. This role involves providing technical assistance to government institutions, strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystems, and facilitating stakeholder engagements. The officer will also analyze evidence to inform policy decisions, prepare technical reports, and monitor the progress of local production initiatives. The position requires collaboration with various stakeholders, including government, industry, and international organizations.

Candidate Requirements:

Advanced university degree in relevant field
At least 5 years of professional experience in pharmaceutical systems
Experience with government institutions and regulatory authorities
Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical systems and medicines policy
Excellent written and spoken English

| Job Description - Medicines and Local Production Officer - (SSA -NO-B) (2603299)


Medicines and Local Production Officer - (SSA -NO-B)-(2603299)

Grade:No grade

Contractual Arrangement:Special Services Agreement (SSA)

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days):12 MONTHS

Job Posting

:Aug 5, 2026, 6:33:52 AM

Closing Date

:Aug 19, 2026, 5:59:00 PM

Primary Location

:South Africa-Pretoria

Organization

:AF_ZAF South Africa

Schedule

:Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.


Scope of work and key responsibilities·Support development and implementation of national strategies and roadmaps for local production of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and other health technologies.·Provide technical assistance to government institutions in strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystems and access to quality-assured health products.·Support implementation of WHO strategies and regional frameworks on local production and pharmaceutical systems strengthening.·Support SAHPRA and relevant stakeholders in regulatory systems strengthening, including WHO Global Benchmarking Tool assessments, regulatory harmonization initiatives, regulatory strengthening action plans, GMP oversight and pharmaceutical quality assurance activities.·Convene, coordinate and facilitate technical consultations, policy dialogues and stakeholder engagements, and strengthen collaboration between government, industry, academia, development partners and regional institutions.·Support assessments and mapping of pharmaceutical manufacturing capacities, technology transfer opportunities, workforce needs, supply-chain bottlenecks and market access barriers.·Analyze evidence and develop recommendations to inform policy decisions and strategic investments.·Prepare technical reports, concept notes, policy briefs, presentations, investment cases and strategic planning documents.·Monitor and report on implementation progress of local production initiatives and associated action plans, and document lessons learned, best practices and innovations.·Organize and facilitate workshops, training programmes and capacity-building activities, and support development of technical guidance and tools for regulators, manufacturers and government officials.·Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor in support of WHO programme priorities.Expected deliverables·Annual and quarterly workplans.·Technical reports and progress updates.·Policy briefs and technical guidance documents.·Meeting reports and stakeholder engagement records.·Assessment reports and analytical products.·Health workforce capacity-building and workshop reports.·Resource mobilization and promotion of partnership .·End-of-assignment report highlighting achievements, challenges and recommendations.

Scope of work and key responsibilities·Support development and implementation of national strategies and roadmaps for local production of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and other health technologies.·Provide technical assistance to government institutions in strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystems and access to quality-assured health products.·Support implementation of WHO strategies and regional frameworks on local production and pharmaceutical systems strengthening.·Support SAHPRA and relevant stakeholders in regulatory systems strengthening, including WHO Global Benchmarking Tool assessments, regulatory harmonization initiatives, regulatory strengthening action plans, GMP oversight and pharmaceutical quality assurance activities.·Convene, coordinate and facilitate technical consultations, policy dialogues and stakeholder engagements, and strengthen collaboration between government, industry, academia, development partners and regional institutions.·Support assessments and mapping of pharmaceutical manufacturing capacities, technology transfer opportunities, workforce needs, supply-chain bottlenecks and market access barriers.·Analyze evidence and develop recommendations to inform policy decisions and strategic investments.·Prepare technical reports, concept notes, policy briefs, presentations, investment cases and strategic planning documents.·Monitor and report on implementation progress of local production initiatives and associated action plans, and document lessons learned, best practices and innovations.·Organize and facilitate workshops, training programmes and capacity-building activities, and support development of technical guidance and tools for regulators, manufacturers and government officials.·Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor in support of WHO programme priorities.Expected deliverables·Annual and quarterly workplans.·Technical reports and progress updates.·Policy briefs and technical guidance documents.·Meeting reports and stakeholder engagement records.·Assessment reports and analytical products.·Health workforce capacity-building and workshop reports.·Resource mobilization and promotion of partnership .·End-of-assignment report highlighting achievements, challenges and recommendations.


**3. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages**
Educational qualificationsEssential: Advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Industrial Pharmacy, Public Health, Health Economics, Regulatory Sciences, Pharmaceutical Policy, Health Systems, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or related field.Desirable: Registration as a Pharmacist with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC).Additional training in regulatory affairs, pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality assurance, technology transfer, health policy, or public health.ExperienceEssential: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in pharmaceutical systems, medicines regulation, pharmaceutical manufacturing, health technologies, public health, or related areas.Demonstrated experience working with government institutions, regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical manufacturers, development partners, or international organizations.Desirable: Experience working with WHO, other UN agencies, development partners, or international health organizations.Experience supporting regulatory systems strengthening, GMP compliance, pharmaceutical production, or technology transfer initiatives.Experience in policy development, programme implementation, stakeholder engagement and technical advisory services.Experience in resource mobilization, project management and donor-funded programmes.Knowledge of South Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturing environment and regulatory landscape.Skills/Knowledge·Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical systems and medicines policy.·Understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, GMP, quality assurance and regulatory systems.·Knowledge of pharmaceutical supply chains, access to medicines and health technologies.·Ability to analyze complex technical information and translate it into policy recommendations.·Strong report-writing and analytical skills; stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills; project management and coordination skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines; strong presentation and negotiation skills.·Core competencies: teamwork and collaboration; communication and interpersonal skills; respecting and promoting individual and cultural diversity; producing results; building and promoting partnerships; ensuring effective use of resources; moving forward in a changing environment.Languages and level requiredExcellent written and spoken English is required.

*3. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages*

Educational qualificationsEssential: Advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Industrial Pharmacy, Public Health, Health Economics, Regulatory Sciences, Pharmaceutical Policy, Health Systems, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or related field.Desirable: Registration as a Pharmacist with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC).Additional training in regulatory affairs, pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality assurance, technology transfer, health policy, or public health.ExperienceEssential: At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in pharmaceutical systems, medicines regulation, pharmaceutical manufacturing, health technologies, public health, or related areas.Demonstrated experience working with government institutions, regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical manufacturers, development partners, or international organizations.Desirable: Experience working with WHO, other UN agencies, development partners, or international health organizations.Experience supporting regulatory systems strengthening, GMP compliance, pharmaceutical production, or technology transfer initiatives.Experience in policy development, programme implementation, stakeholder engagement and technical advisory services.Experience in resource mobilization, project management and donor-funded programmes.Knowledge of South Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturing environment and regulatory landscape.Skills/Knowledge·Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical systems and medicines policy.·Understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, GMP, quality assurance and regulatory systems.·Knowledge of pharmaceutical supply chains, access to medicines and health technologies.·Ability to analyze complex technical information and translate it into policy recommendations.·Strong report-writing and analytical skills; stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills; project management and coordination skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines; strong presentation and negotiation skills.·Core competencies: teamwork and collaboration; communication and interpersonal skills; respecting and promoting individual and cultural diversity; producing results; building and promoting partnerships; ensuring effective use of resources; moving forward in a changing environment.Languages and level requiredExcellent written and spoken English is required.


**4. Technical Supervision**
The consultant will be based at the WHO South Africa Country Office and will report directly to the Health Systems Strengthening and Services Cluster Lead, under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative.The consultant will collaborate closely with technical teams at the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) and WHO Headquarters and coordinate technical activities with the National Department of Health, SAHPRA, DTIC, development partners, academia, industry associations, manufacturers and other relevant stakeholders.

*4. Technical Supervision*

The consultant will be based at the WHO South Africa Country Office and will report directly to the Health Systems Strengthening and Services Cluster Lead, under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative.The consultant will collaborate closely with technical teams at the WHO Regional Office for Africa (AFRO) and WHO Headquarters and coordinate technical activities with the National Department of Health, SAHPRA, DTIC, development partners, academia, industry associations, manufacturers and other relevant stakeholders.


**5. Location**
On site: WHO South Africa Country Office, Pretoria, South Africa.On Site: Agreed days per week in NDOH and SAHPRA.Off site: Not applicable unless authorized by WHO.On site for insurance purposes: WHO South Africa Country Office, Pretoria, South Africa.


**6. Travel - If travel is involved, full medical clearance is required**
The consultant will be required to undertake duty travel within South Africa and internationally, as authorized, in support of stakeholder engagement, technical consultations, assessments, workshops, capacity-building activities and programme priorities.Arrangements will be made for an induction of the consultant by relevant WHO technical teams.Specific travel dates, locations and purposes will be determined and authorized in accordance with WHO rules and procedures. Travel costs are excluded from the remuneration and budget section below.

*6. Travel - If travel is involved, full medical clearance is required*

The consultant will be required to undertake duty travel within South Africa and internationally, as authorized, in support of stakeholder engagement, technical consultations, assessments, workshops, capacity-building activities and programme priorities.Arrangements will be made for an induction of the consultant by relevant WHO technical teams.Specific travel dates, locations and purposes will be determined and authorized in accordance with WHO rules and procedures. Travel costs are excluded from the remuneration and budget section below.


**7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)**
Rate: Monthly remuneration.Currency: ZAR.Amount: Approximately ZAR 74,852 per month, in accordance with WHO South Africa SSA NOB rates and applicable WHO contractual provisions.Work schedule: Full-time, subject to the agreed workplan and applicable SSA contractual framework.No additional benefits shall be payable beyond those provided under the applicable SSA contractual framework. Continuation or renewal is subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funding, continued programme needs, and compliance with WHO policies and procedures.

*7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)*

Rate: Monthly remuneration.Currency: ZAR.Amount: Approximately ZAR 74,852 per month, in accordance with WHO South Africa SSA NOB rates and applicable WHO contractual provisions.Work schedule: Full-time, subject to the agreed workplan and applicable SSA contractual framework.No additional benefits shall be payable beyond those provided under the applicable SSA contractual framework. Continuation or renewal is subject to satisfactory performance, availability of funding, continued programme needs, and compliance with WHO policies and procedures.


**8. Conditions of assignment and evaluation of performance**
·The consultant shall comply with all WHO rules, regulations, policies and ethical standards.·The assignment is subject to WHO security requirements and applicable host-country regulations.·All outputs, reports, analyses, databases, presentations and materials developed under this assignment shall remain the property of WHO.·The consultant shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information obtained during the assignment.·The consultant shall declare any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest.·Performance will be evaluated periodically against quality and timeliness of deliverables, achievement of agreed workplan objectives, quality of technical advice, programme results, stakeholder engagement, professional conduct and adherence to WHO values.

*8. Conditions of assignment and evaluation of performance*

·The consultant shall comply with all WHO rules, regulations, policies and ethical standards.·The assignment is subject to WHO security requirements and applicable host-country regulations.·All outputs, reports, analyses, databases, presentations and materials developed under this assignment shall remain the property of WHO.·The consultant shall maintain strict confidentiality regarding all information obtained during the assignment.·The consultant shall declare any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest.·Performance will be evaluated periodically against quality and timeliness of deliverables, achievement of agreed workplan objectives, quality of technical advice, programme results, stakeholder engagement, professional conduct and adherence to WHO values.

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Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.

Summary by Impactpool

Candidate Requirements:

Advanced university degree in relevant field
At least 5 years of professional experience in pharmaceutical systems
Experience with government institutions and regulatory authorities
Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical systems and medicines policy
Excellent written and spoken English

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