Technical Officer (Medical Products Regulation)

Within UHC, in SEAR there is a particular focus on improving access to quality essential medical products, as this is a priority for all countries in the Region. In 2018, Member States endorsed the Delhi Declaration on accelerating progress on access to quality medical products in the South-East Asia Region and beyond.

The medical product market in SEAR is changing rapidly. Some countries are major producers and exporters of medicines. All countries are concerned with more affordable access to quality medicines. There is also a ‘beyond Region' dimension to the regulation agenda given that countries in other continents also purchase medicines from countries in this Region. Bilateral and multi-lateral development agencies are increasing their financial and technical support for regulatory system strengthening in SEAR countries, and this would benefit from good coordination. There is demand from all SEAR Member States for support in regulatory system strengthening. 

The South-East Asia Region has five priorities for improving access to quality medical products\: collaboration on pricing and procurement; collaboration in regulation; greater capacity to work within intellectual property and trade rules and use TRIPS flexibilities; more rational use of medicines with a focus on antibiotics, and improved monitoring of access to medicines.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of Director, Health Systems Development and the direct supervision of the Regional Advisor managing the South-East Asia Regulatory Network (SEARN), the incumbent will perform the following duties

1. Support activities and deliverables of Working Groups of the South-East Asia Regulatory Network (SEARN), including ways to expedite approval of new and existing priority products through inter-country collaboration, and support for the quality control laboratory network. 

2. Provide technical and managerial support for medical products (medicines, vaccines, medical devices and diagnostics) on regulation and regulatory system strengthening in the countries in the region  

3. Facilitate the organization of country self- and joint benchmarking of regulatory capacity, and completion of their institutional development plans.

4. Support countries in defining roles and responsibilities for external partners supporting national regulatory system strengthening, so external partners' interventions are well-aligned with countries' institutional development plans and well-coordinated in their implementation.

5. Develop a plan for post-marketing surveillance and vigilance activities in SEAR and support its implementation, through WHO or through SEARN, as appropriate.

6. Contribute to regional publications on access to medical products.

7. To perform other relevant duties assigned by Director HSD or supervisor.

8. Submit an end of assignment report (mandatory)

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Master's level university degree in pharmacy, medicine, biological sciences, public health or other health science.
Desirable\: PhD in pharmacy, medicine, biological sciences, public health or other health science.

Experience

Essential\: At least seven years of experience in medical product regulation, some of which should have been obtained in an international context.
Desirable\: -Experience in working on medical product regulation in a low or middle-income country-Experience in working across multiple agencies and managing their often diverse objectives.

Skills

-Good knowledge of medical product regulation, and medical product development, production and control. This includes having worked for a medicines/vaccines manufacturer or a national regulatory authority. 

-Demonstrated ability to work with experts at national and regional levels, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural backgrounds. 

-Excellent organizational skills.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\:

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 71,332 (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 1706 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

• Please note applications should be submitted through WHO's online recruitment portal. Please visit www.who.int/careers to complete an online profile and to apply to this vacancy.

• 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.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.