Specialist, Supply Chain, Medicines and Vaccines

Multiple locations

Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
Location: Multiple locations
Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Medical Practitioners
- Logistics
- Pharmacy
- Supply Chain
- Health Systems and Services
- Malaria, Tuberculosis and other infectious diseases
Closing Date: Closed

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)

PAHOâs Revolving Funds operate within two different entities, namely the Revolving Fund Special Program for Vaccine Procurement (RFV) and the Strategic Fund for Essential Medicines (HSS/MT). This cross-departmental position will operate at a sub-regional level to facilitate regional programs and provide leadership, direction, support and assistance to Member States for the continuous supply of quality vaccines and medicines and will develop strategies and lead negotiations with suppliers to ensure best pricing for countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Chief, Revolving Fund Special Program for Vaccine Procurement (RFV), the direct supervision of the Unit Chief, Medicines and Health Technologies (HSS/MT), and the administrative supervision of the Subregional Program Coordinator (SPC-SAM), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties\:

Provide technical support for the strengthening of country capacity to perform quantification, forecasting, and improve efficiency of the supply management of medicines, vaccines and other strategic health supplies;
Support the development and strengthening of logistics management information systems in Member States, taking into consideration existing information and current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and gaps;
Identify and assist countries in the sub-region to resolve supply chain challenges related to access and distribution of public health supplies, including, but not limited to, issues related to warehousing, distribution and cold chain management;
Define and propose a road map to improve logistic information flow with the aim of obtaining quality reports on average monthly consumption for each country; assist in identifying common challenges and in the development of regional guidelines to overcome them;
Provide support to improve interaction and collaboration with national regulatory authorities including the exchange of information to improve regulatory oversight of the products acquired through the Funds and, in particular, the post marketing surveillance;
Represent the Organization in sub regional fora related to the Revolving Fund for Vaccines and Strategic Fund issues;
Advocate the use of PAHO Revolving Fund (RF) for Vaccines and PAHO Strategic Fund (SF) by Member States when these mechanisms can provide added value, i.e. availability, affordability and/or quality of products in national markets;
Facilitate and help improve interaction between national health authorities and relevant PAHO entities related to the RFV and the SF procurement processes and other essential medicines that are processed through the Strategic Fund and other procurement mechanisms in the countries of the Region, identifying bottlenecks, possible efficiencies in administrative steps and timeframes; propose strategies for improvement based on the lessons learned in other countries in the region and opportunities for improvement;
Develop and promote regional policies and guidelines, based on the lessons learned in the sub-region, to facilitate the use of the Organization's Revolving Fund to serve country needs and to address the specific recurrent challenges; support countries in the development and implementation of all aspects of a national logistic information system for medicines, vaccines and other strategic health supplies used in the public sector;
Assess progress in national logistic information systems and document progress and challenges;
Support the preparation of procurement plans of required medicines, vaccines and other strategic health supplies for Member states that acquire medicines through the Organization's Revolving Fund;
Participate in the implementation and development of the technical cooperation activities within the framework of PAHO RFV and PAHO SF;
Represent the Organization and collaborate at international meetings, including training workshops, forums, experts meetings and seminars in the Region;
Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education\:

Essential\: A bachelorâs degree in supply chain management, engineering, public health, pharmaceutical science or a related field from a recognized university.

Desirable\: Specialization and/or training in one of these fields or a masterâs degree in a health- related field 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 progressive national and international professional experience in programs or activities related to management of public health supplies, including specific experience in the development and implementation of technical cooperation related to supply chain management, and in the development and implementation of logistics management information systems.

Desirable\: Experience in Global Health and international technical cooperation related to medicines, vaccines and other strategic health supplies would be an asset.

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.
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.
Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions\: Identifies the risks and benefits of options for future health initiatives based on the analysis of institutional and political trends. Applies a broad approach to work in the health field.
Service Orientation\: Corrects the client's problems promptly and without confrontation. Is helpful when client (internal or external clients) is going through a critical period.
Devising the budget for interventions and cost optimization\: Identifies the means of and achieves optimization of budget; demonstrates the ability to use resources according to the principles and values of institutional ethics. Distributes resources to projects and activities that are the most needed for the Organization.
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.
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\:

Knowledge and skills of best practices in public health supply management, logistics management, information systems and procedures for forecasting and estimating public health needs.
Knowledge of tools and approaches for quantifying public health needs and forecasting future demand.
Strong analytical, planning and operational skills.
Ability to use analytical tools, as well as quantitative and qualitative techniques.
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 Spanish or English 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 a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of logistics management information systems and other software programs such as Visio, Microsoft SharePoint and Project would be an asset.

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary\: (Net of taxes)

US $60,233.00

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

THIS VACANCY NOTICE MAY BE USED TO FILL OTHER SIMILAR POSITIONS AT GRADE LEVEL.

San Salvador, El Salvador. Post Adjustment 28.9% of the above figure.

Bridgetown, Barbados. Post Adjustment 52.8% of the above figure.

Lima, Peru. Post Adjustment 38.5% of the above figure.

The 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.

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.
However, we have found similar vacancies for you: