| Job Description - Team Lead (Pharmacovigilance) (2604518)

Team Lead (Pharmacovigilance)-(2604518)
Grade:P5
Contractual Arrangement:Fixed-term appointment
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days):2 years
Job Posting: Nov 12, 2026, 2:04:39 PM
Closing Date: Dec 3, 2026, 5:59:00 PM
Primary Location: Switzerland-Geneva
Organization: HQ/RPQ Regulation and Prequalification HSD
Schedule: Full-time
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objectives of the Department of Regulation and Prequalification (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 LMIC, 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 Roadmap for access to safe, effective and quality-assured health products and technologies 2025-2030, and in collaboration with the wider framework of health systems oriented programmes and disease-oriented programmes to contribute to the 14th GPW and Sustainable Development Goals. The strategic objective of the Pharmacovigilance Team is to promote the safety and safe use of health products (including medicines, vaccines, blood and blood products and medical devices) in patients and populations. This is achieved through development and strengthening of smart pharmacovigilance systems (standards & guidance), product vigilance and risk assessment, risk communication and research.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

  • Provides technical leadership and managerial support within the Department/Programme, in the area of Pharmacovigilance ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively.
  • Develops and proposes technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provides advice in developing further Pharmacovigilance activities for strengthening and improving technical capacity of Member States.
  • Manages the programme area in delivering its objectives through efficient management of a small team of technical staff, financial resources and effective work planning to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
  • Leads and conducts research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
  • Manages the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize performance of Programme deliverables.
  • Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise.
  • Liaises with and utilizes partnerships in other UN Agencies, Donor, or research institutions in the area of Pharmacovigilance to position the technical area of work and implementation into Global and/or National policies.
  • Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for pharmacovigilance strengthening and building capacity.
  • Perform all other related duties as assigned. 

Specific duties --> Provide scientific leadership, coordination and technical supervision on the pharmacovigilance of medical products.--> Provide Secretariat support for the WHO Advisory committees on safety of medicines, vaccines and other health products and technologies.--> Where necessary, lead, provide oversight or engage with WHO Global networks and Collaborating Centres engaged in Pharmacovigilance activities.--> Provide a timely response and specialized technical advice and assistance to Member States and regions in relation to safety issues concerning medicines and vaccines.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced level university degree (Masters degree) in pharmacy, medicine, epidemiology or related scientific discipline related to the functions of the position.
Desirable: A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the management of pharamacovigilance systems for medicine, vaccines and other health products and technologies. Experience in the development and implementation of related pharmacovigilance policies, strategies and system/strengthening initiatives.Demonstrated experience managing human and financialresources. Demonstrated experience at the international level.
Desirable: Practicalexperience in global, regional and national platforms or networksfor monitoring safety of health products. Experience in WHO Regulatory SystemsStrengthening Programme.

Skills

Concrete skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of public health/disease control programmes. Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing polices and strategies for regional and national pharamacovigilance systems. Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources. Good skills in mobilizing resources. Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders. Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area. Expertise in the application of pharmacovigilance principles, and/or immunization safety, adverse event monitoring, monitoring of safety issues, development of vigilance systems, practical applications and current developments.

WHO Competencies

  • Teamwork
  • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
  • Communication
  • Moving forward in a changing environment
  • 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.

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 103,165 (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 6903 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 separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
  • 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 eManual.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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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