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Specialist, Strategic Fund Medicines Prequalification

Washington D.C. | Abu Dhabi

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Washington D.C. | Abu Dhabi
  • Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Banking and Finance
    • Health Systems and Services
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT
The primary objective of the Department of Health Systems and Services (HSS) is to strengthen health systems based on Primary Health Care, supporting universal health coverage. Its work encompasses the following areas\: strengthening of health systems governance for social protection in health; strengthening of regulatory frameworks and financial protection for progressive realization of the right to health; organizing people-centered, integrated health service delivery; promoting access to and rational use of quality, safe, and effective health technologies; strengthening national health research systems, and promoting the integration of scientific knowledge into health care, health policies, and technical cooperation; and developing human resources for health.
 
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the general supervision of the Director, Health Systems and Services (HSS), and the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Medicines and Health Technologies (HSS/MT), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties\: 
  1. Develop and implement a Model Total Quality Assurance System (MTQAS) for the evaluation of pharmaceutical suppliers and their products, and specifically medicines, for the Organization’s Regional Revolving Fund for Strategic Public Health Supplies, based on international norms and standards, including the development, implementation and updating of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines and normative documents;
  2. Establish internal and external coordination mechanisms to ensure the efficient operation of the MTQAS;
  3. Apply pre-qualification criteria and methods for the evaluation of manufacturers, suppliers and products, develop a system for monitoring pre-qualification status and evaluate outcomes in terms of quality of pharmaceutical products purchased on behalf of Member States; develop, implement and update databases on suppliers and products including a system for product files storage and maintenance;
  4. Promote and coordinate the participation of experts from Regional National Regulatory Authorities in the evaluation of suppliers and products for procurement through the Strategic Fund; develop systems that build on installed regulatory capacity within the Region to facilitate prequalification of suppliers and products;
  5. Provide support to Member States in addressing issues related to quality of pharmaceutical products, processes for pre-selection of suppliers and products for public sector procurement, assessing local capacity and developing training programs;
  6. Coordinate activities within the broader technical program of work in Medicines and Health Technologies, in the regulation and quality of medicines and health technologies, and the strengthening of national regulatory capacity;
  7. Provide support to the PAHO Strategic Fund Working Group; cooperate and collaborate with other projects to achieve efficient coordination of activities and  systematic utilization of resources;
  8. Support the mobilization of financial resources for national and regional projects in the area of work;
  9. Perform other related duties, as assigned. 
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
 
Education\:
Essential\:  A bachelor’s degree in a pharmaceutical science or related field from a recognized university.
 
Desirable\: A master’s degree in biology, pharmaceutical quality assurance or pharmaceutical procurement quality control 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.  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/.  PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http\://www.chea.org/search/default.asp and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https\://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.
 
Experience\:
Essential\:  Seven years of combined national and international experience in pharmaceutical regulatory systems and/or prequalification of pharmaceutical manufacturers including activities related to strengthening capacity in evaluation and monitoring of pharmaceutical quality systems.
 
SKILLS\:
PAHO Competencies\:
  • Intrainstitutional Action\:  Operates in a fair, consistent and equitable manner, and displays such behavior by example. Ensures that the mission and the values of the Organization as well as the setting in which projects will be carried out are the drivers in one's technical work. Understands the results required and performs to that standard. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization.
  • Analysis, Synthesis, and Forecasting\:   Takes or organizes individual and collective action after analyzing situations on the basis of the available evidence and knowledge.  Continuously analyzes the evolution of situations in an area of work and makes suggestions to adjust or confirm the decisions necessary to implement required actions. Is capable of anticipating the implications of an analyzed situation between six months to one year ahead.
  • Communication\:  Actively engages in conversation with the key players in a multicultural environment both within and outside the organization.  Develops a network of appropriate contacts inside and outside PAHO to gain information or to build an alliance.  Takes into consideration the multicultural differences within the organization.
  • Teamwork\:   Promotes team work and leads one's area to finish tasks and accept responsibility. Creates a positive environment within the area of work. Makes everyone feel like they are part of the team as well as welcomes and appreciates everyone's ideas and suggestions.  Able to see the positive aspects of working as a team, shares the team's enthusiasm for achieving mutual goals.
  • Evaluation of technical cooperation interventions\:  Proposes criteria for evaluating interventions at the process, management, and outcome level, in addition to plans for evaluating technical cooperation, in keeping with the PAHO's strategic direction.
  • Information Management\: Processes and analyzes the data objectively, presenting it clearly and equitably. Leads the effort to acquire relevant and selected information that facilitates the achievement of organizational results.  Evaluates/leads the evaluation of information systems on the basis of its advantages/disadvantages for processing information relevant to the area of work
  • Resource Mobilization\:  Establishes partnerships and alliances with a variety of institutions and organizations as well as internal partnerships to obtain financial and non-financial resources.  Is able to relate with all types of people and at all levels in order to obtain resources that are needed. Is able to present and disseminate information in a clear manner.  Executes resources according to the agreements previously established with partnerships.
Technical Expertise\:
  • Theoretical and practical knowledge of pharmaceutical quality and regulatory issues; knowledge of current international standards in Good Laboratory Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Procurement Practices, Good Storage and Distribution Practices.
  • Knowledge of international quality norms and standards in pharmaceutical procurement, prequalification of medicines and prequalification of quality control laboratories.
  • Ability to apply quality assurance normative standards in pharmaceutical manufacturer/supplier evaluation and inspection, and development of operational quality management systems in pharmaceutical supply management.
  • Mature judgment, strong technical, analytical, conceptual, inter-personal and communication skills; demonstrated ability to identify, assess, analyze, synthesize and provide recommendation on key political and technical issues.
  • Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment to re-prioritize actions on short notice.
  • Strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.
Languages\:
Very good knowledge of English and Spanish with working knowledge of the other language.  Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
 
IT Skills\:
Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook.  Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio, Microsoft SharePoint and Project would be an asset.
 
REMUNERATION
Annual Salary\: (Net of taxes)
US $58,583.00
 
Post Adjustment\: 45.7% of the above figure(s).  This percentage 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 FILL OTHER SIMILAR POSITIONS AT THE SAME GRADE LEVEL.
 
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
 
A written test may be used as a form of screening.
 
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/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
 
PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual 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 include\:  30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme.  Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.
 
Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
 
All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post. 
 
Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this post.  The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.
This vacancy is now closed.
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