Advisor, National Pharmaceutical Supply Management, PROMESS

The primary objective of the Department of Health Systems and Services (HSS) is to strengthen health systems based on Primary Health Care, supporting universal access to health and universal health coverage. Its work encompasses the following areas: strengthening of health systems stewardship and governance to achieve universal access to health and address the social determinants of health, including 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; health policies, and technical cooperation; and developing human resources for health.

Summary of Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative, and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Health Systems and Services, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical advice and lead the implementation of the Programme de Médicaments Essentiels (PROMESS) Biennium Work Plan (BWP), including support to the development and strengthening of the national pharmaceutical supply system;
2. Provide technical support and guidance to the Management Committee of PROMESS; promote and improve the degree of integration of the project within the national supply system in accordance with the strategic orientations of the Committee; develop and coordinate lines of action to contribute to the overall vision, mandates and objectives of the Program, including linkages with the Caribbean sub regional supply mechanisms to ensure availability of pharmaceuticals in cases of emergency;
3. Develop mid-year and annual work plans including targets and indicators to measure and assess performance of the Program: prepare and present periodic performance reports to the PROMESS Management Committee and the PAHO/WHO Representative in Haiti;
4. Plan, manage and monitor overall business operations, including the improvement of the stock management, budget and financing processes; ensure use of appropriate systems and application of modern technology for inventory management and related administrative processes;
5. Develop and/or update policies, guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for PROMESS, in accordance with PAHO’s rules and regulations, and ensure implementation by the team;
6. Coordinate resource-mobilization and partnership building initiatives, in collaboration with the PAHO/WHO Representative to ensure sustainability of the program, in compliance with the Organization’s Strategic Plan and the Country Office Biennial Work Plan (BWP); promote a permanent partnership with key bilateral and multilateral agencies and other partners, and implement advocacy strategies in support of the project;
7. Ensure PROMESS activities are in line with the priorities of the national health programs, particularly with the Essential Medicines Program; promote the essential medicines concept and the rational use of medicines within health institutions;
8. Collaborate in the preparation of the Representation´s BWP and the implementation of the program of work by providing the relevant perspectives in pharmaceutical and health supply chain in the context of the political, technical and socioeconomic realities;
9. Contribute to the coordination of delivery of the Organization’s technical cooperation and financial assistance, working as part of the team of consultants assigned to the Representative Office;
10. When called upon to directly supervise staff, establish clear work objectives, conduct timely and effective performance appraisals, provide coaching and feedback, and support staff development opportunities;
11. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

• Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes on such diversity. Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.
• Communication: Foresees communication needs of audience and targets message accordingly. Facilitates open communication; encourages others to share their views openly and takes time to understand and consider their views. Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment: Manages individual and group projects and ensures that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clearly defined, understood and accepted; delegates work appropriately to achieve best results.
• Producing Results: Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.
• Moving forward in a changing environment: Actively supports Organizational change initiatives and demonstrates personal commitment to them, including when faced with new demands; proposes workable solutions to challenging situations. Engages in positive responses to a changing environment and promotes workable solutions to achieve own and team’s results. Welcomes, and actively seeks to apply, new ideas, approaches and working methods and technologies in order to improve own and/or team’s work processes and results; demonstrates commitment to Organizational change initiatives.
• Setting an example: Works ethically to achieve individual work objectives under 'PAHO Regulations and Rules and the Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service. Maintains confidentiality and treats sensitive information with discretion; ensures that policies and procedures are followed in accordance with the Organization's professional, ethical and legal standards. When others behave in an unprofessional or unethical way, promotes appropriate standards and provides feedback in order to remedy the situation; escalates as necessary. Stands by own decisions and actions and accepts responsibility for them. Acts in an open and transparent manner when dealing with others; stands by own and/ team’s decisions or actions and accepts responsibility for them. Acts to promote the Organization’s success.

• Theoretical and practical knowledge of pharmaceutical quality and regulatory issues; excellent knowledge of current international standards in Good Laboratory Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Procurement Practices, Good Storage and Distribution Practices.
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of the basic principles of management to include administration, finance and human resources.
• Sound knowledge of pharmaceutical markets.
• Expert knowledge of procurement, supply and distribution management especially in health / pharmaceutical sector(s).
• Knowledge and skills in the formulation of technical cooperation interventions and in the development of criteria and instruments for evaluating program interventions.
• 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.

Essential: A university degree in a pharmaceutical science, management, administration, finance or related field, with a master’s degree in business administration, logistics, procurement or in any field related to the functions of the position, from a recognized institution.

Essential: Nine years of combined national and international progressively responsible experience in general management in the public and/or private sector to include project management in the health-pharmaceutical sector and/or managing a large supply acquisition and distribution project.

Very good knowledge of French with a working knowledge of Spanish or English.

Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio and Project would be an asset.

Post Adjustment: 47.4% 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.

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.

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 (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.