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National Professional Officer (Medicines Policy)

Kiev

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Kiev
  • Grade: Junior level - NO-B, National Professional Officer - Locally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Political Affairs
    • Legal - Broad
    • Medical Practitioners
    • Pharmacy
    • 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 GPW13 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 (HTP) is part of DSP and is responsible for coordination of GPW13 Outcome 1.3. HTP 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 WHO Country Office supports the Member State to shape its health policy in line with WHO's principles and values and advocates for an integrated approach to health development. By means of a single, unified and functionally integrated country representation, WHO facilitates the implementation of the GPW13 and particularly BCA with the Member State and its corresponding country work plan. WHO helps the country to improve its health system, facilitates policy dialogue and provides technical support as necessary. The WHO country office administers, consolidates, manages and enhances WHO collaboration in the country including all resources deployed in the country either permanently or temporarily to maximize WHO impact. The Country Office also has a representational, fund-raising and resource steering function, as needed.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

With the overall aim to support progress towards Universal Health Coverage and access to quality medical products as well as their responsible use the incumbent will coordinate and prepare with counterparts (internal and external) specific input to national action plans for access to and regulation of medicines & medical devices as well as and antimicrobial resistance with a specific attention to medical product policy and regulation. The technical support is provided within the framework of the BCA (Biennial Collaborative Agreement) and within the overall vision outlined in Health 2020 framework adopted by the Regional Committee, in the implementation of the WHO Country Office`s in Ukraine core and project related activities, with focus on medical product policy and regulation.

Key duties\: 

1. To support the effective implementation of WHO activities aimed at strengthening the medical product regulation related functions of the health system, as programmed in the Biannual Collaborative Agreement (BCA), including support to activities on health sector coordination and policy dialogue. To contribute to identification of areas for collaboration with the country, capacity building needs, priority health areas to be addressed by the BCA and projects, and to provide relevant technical support in medical product policy and regulation relating to health system strengthening, health sector coordination and intersectoral issues for access to medical products relating to health, in collaboration with colleagues as needed. 
2. To collect information, analyse, prepare and contribute in a regular and timely manner to various types of information materials, reports and situation analyses related to amongst others medical product regulation, antimicrobial medicines consumption, pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement as well as to coordination needs in the country. 
3. To assist in and contribute to certifying the correct, high technical quality, policy relevant and timely implementation of all tasks and activities related to medical products and technologies, including technical assistance, support to policy dialogue and capacity building, carried out under the donor financed initiatives or in agreed partnerships with partners at country level. 
4. To support the Ministry of Health and other national partners in developing, implementing and evaluating national strategies and policies on improving access to quality medical products and health sector coordination through sector wide approaches both at national and sub-national level. 
5. To engage with other initiatives at country level, including those addressing vertical programs from the universal health coverage, medical product policy and regulation perspective.
6. To maintain regular contacts with institutions and associations concerned with regulation of medical products, pricing of medicines, antimicrobial medicines consumption, health sector development, including non-governmental agencies and scientific bodies for exchange of information in evaluation of health system's performance and coordination of activities, including the implementation of sector wide approaches.
7. To initiate, facilitate and provide support in the area of antimicrobial resistance to national stakeholders to improve awareness on antimicrobial resistance, ensure regular surveillance and research activities, and optimise the use of antimicrobial medicines in human health.
8. To plan, coordinate and monitor, in close coordination with WHO relevant technical programmes, studies financed through WHO on access to medical products, official development assistance (ODA) and aid efficiency, etc. to support the monitoring and evaluation of reform agenda, and overall policy dialogue. 
9. To organize or assist in receiving, giving functional shelter, channelling and supporting all types of WHO presence, visits and missions in the country, and monitor and follow-up the recommendations to ensure change. 
10. To support the project(s) implementation team and the other staff in the country office in their development and back them up when needed, to ensure a smooth and efficient implementation of BCA.
11. To perform other duties assigned by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

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

Experience

Essential\: At least two years of national work experience in the field of pharmaceutical sector regulation and reform with focus on regulation of access to medicines. Demonstrated experience with pharmaceutical procurement and supply management systems and policies.
Desirable\: Relevant work experience in WHO or in the UN system. Demonstrated knowledge of health/pharmaceutical systems in the countries of the WHO European region.

Skills

Ability to work within significant uncertainties in a rapidly changing environment. Ability to interact appropriately with high-level stakeholders, including senior officials and ministers. Data management and data analysis skills. Proficiency in the use of data analysis and statistical software (R and Excel).Good computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet, Power point presentations).

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. Expert knowledge of Russian.
Desirable\:

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 35,147 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.
  • Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
  • WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
  • WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
  • This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
This vacancy is now closed.
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