Technical Officer, Health Technologies and Pharmaceuticals

Copenhagen

Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
Location: Copenhagen
Grade: Mid level - P-3, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
- Public Health and Health Service
- EU/DSP Health Systems and Public Health
Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

All Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right.All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying value of equity as described in the General Programme of Work. The 13th General Programme of Work defines the mission of WHO as one to promote health, to keep the world safe, and to protect the vulnerable. The GPW calls for heightened accountability, prioritizing impact and outcome at country level, and to improve the lives of three billion people, through universal health coverage, through addressing health emergencies, and promoting healthier populations.WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions\: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends.The European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate and, more specifically, how these bear upon the way the health system stewardship function of health ministries is carried out.The objective of the Division of Health Systems and Public Health is to develop in the WHO European Region the strategic capacity to assist Member States to design, establish and promote comprehensive health and health systems policies; to enable countries to benefit from international experience in reforming their health systems and public health services stressing quality, accessibility and efficient use of resources. The Division contributes to the development and promotion of the European Health Policy and National Health Policies, Plans and Strategies, and the knowledge base in the broad thematic areas of health systems governance, financing, organization, service delivery and resource generation, in collaboration with other relevant international, regional, national and non-governmental partners.The Health Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Programme is part of DSP. It promotes a set of policy instruments to strengthen regulatory mechanisms, selection and rational use of quality medicines and health technologies to balance access and cost-effectiveness. It gives technical advice on systems/processes for regulation of quality use medicines, including on value assessment (HTA) linked to selection, regulation of quality, safety and affordability, financing, pricing and reimbursement, procurement, supply chain, balancing demand as well as monitoring and evaluation in Member States.The Health Technologies and Pharmaceuticals Programme is part of DSP. It promotes a set of policy instruments to strengthen regulatory mechanisms, selection and rational use of quality medicines and health technologies to balance access and cost-effectiveness. It gives technical advice on systems/processes for quality use medicines, including on value assessment (HTA) linked to selection, regulation, financing, pricing and reimbursement, procurement, supply chain, balancing demand as well as monitoring and evaluation in Member States.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To provide technical advice and operational guidance to the Health Technologies and Pharmaceuticals programme, based on policy recommendations in the context of the vision of Health Systems and Public Health, contributing to revitalizing public health and transforming the delivery of health care services to better respond to the health challenges of the 21st century.

Particular focus will be on the provision of technical support and guidance to Member States on how to improve and sustain access to essential medicines and technologies, their regulation and their financing (including Intellectual Property Rights of medicines).Under the guidance of the PM, the incumbent will assist in providing technical advice related to access to pharmaceuticals and health technologies as follows\:

1. Provide and mobilize technical assistance to countries on medicines regulation of quality and safety including their financing (pricing and reimbursement policies and intellectual property rights of medicines). This involves regular in-country missions and interactions with health authorities within countries.

2. Collect and validate pharmaceutical data, prepare and compile analysis, reports and scientific publications as well as review and update references and guidance with a focus on financial access to medical products. This also includes processing quantitative analysis of pharmaceutical data shared by Member States.

3. Organize and contribute to the developing, coordination, facilitation and delivery of national and regional training workshops and meetings on medicines financing and intellectual property rights, (including the WHO EURO Summer School on pharmaceutical pricing policies).

4. Participate in and contribute to the facilitation of relevant technical working groups and conferences with a specific focus on access to medical products (including the Pharmaceutical Pricing and Reimbursement Information Network).

5. Coordinate, facilitate and contribute to the strengthening of the Russian speaking network of competent authorities on access to medicines policies.

6. Provide technical support and advice to Member States in the area of Health Technology Assessment and medical product innovation.

7. The incumbent may perform other duties as relevant.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: University degree (Bachelor's level) in pharmaceutical or relevant health sciences.
Desirable\: Master's degree in pharmaceutical or relevant health sciences. Additional academic degree in public administration, public health, health economics, health financing or statistics.

Experience

Essential\: At least 5 years of work experience in the field of, pharmaceutical sector regulation and reform with a strong focus on regulation of quality and safety. Demonstrated experience with pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement policies.
Desirable\: Relevant work experience in WHO or in the UN system.

Skills

1. Demonstrated knowledge of political systems, social and health/pharmaceutical systems in the countries of the WHO European region.

2. Ability to work within significant uncertainties, as well as availability for frequent operational travel. Ability to interact appropriately with high-level stakeholders, including ministers.

3. Data management and data analysis skills.

4. Good computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet, Power point presentations).

5. Proficiency in the use of data analysis and statistical software (R and Excel).

Desirable\: Knowledge of Intellectual Property Rights.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of Russian.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of French or German.

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 60,233 (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 2520 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

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.

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.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

For information on WHO's operations please visit\: http\://www.who.int.

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link\: http\://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.