Technical Officer (Health Technologies)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) countries in the South East Asia region have placed a particular focus on improving access to quality essential medical products (medicines, vaccines, medical devices and in vitro diagnostics). 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. All countries aim to provide affordable access to quality diagnostics and medical devices for health services and prioritise cost effective, safe and quality health technologies in public funded programmes, which are critical for attaining UHC.To support this strategic area of work, SEARO aims to

1. Provide technical assistance to South East Asia Member States and WHO country offices in development and implementation of national policies to strengthen national systems for improved access to essential and priority medical devices including in vitro diagnostics.

2. Support South East Asia Member States and WHO country offices in developing national list of essential in vitro diagnostics based on WHO model list for invitro diagnostics and national priority medical devices lists considering the WHO priority medical devices lists for different levels of health care depending upon epidemiology, human resources and infrastructure.

3. Promote adoption of efficient arrangements for improved access to safe, efficacious and quality medical devices and diagnostics including through the South East Asia Regulatory Network (SEARN) Support necessary linkages within and across departments of the Regional Office as well as at country for comprehensive approaches on medical devices and diagnostics to support disease specific programs.

4. Support establishing/ strengthening national systems and capacities for health interventions and technology assessments to enable cost effective use of limited funds for safe and quality health technologies

5. Support health technology management to ensure Member States do allocation, supply, maintenance and ensure safe use of the technologies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall supervision Director Programme Management and direct supervision of Director, Health Systems Department, the incumbent will support activities in the following areas:

1. Support development of national policies on improving access to essential diagnostics and medical devicesand associated system strengthening activities.

2. Strengthen systems and capacities related to development of essential diagnostic / medical devices list for different levels of health care, and ensure selection, regulation, procurement, supply and maintenance management and training to ensure appropriate performance.

3. Conduct review of common procurement/ maintenance management practices to identify good practices and new innovative strategies for access to, essential diagnostics and medical devices.

4. Provide technical support for national capacity development, training on medical devices and diagnostics in South East Asian countries.

5. Strengthening national systems and capacities for health technology assessments to enable selection f cost effective, safe and quality health technologies to be used in public funded programmes

6. Support online and face to face regional and national consultations with relevant stakeholders, including preparation of necessary documentation, meetings and related activities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Essential: Post graduate degree in biomedical engineering, medical technology or other related scientific engineering and technology fields.
Desirable: Post graduate degree on health technology assessment, regulation of medical devices and /or diagnostics or other related fields.

Essential: At least seven years relevant work experience, in management of medical devices and diagnostics /medical technology, biomedical engineering field, some of which should have been obtained in the international context.
Desirable: Work experience in assessment, management/ of medical devices including in vitro diagnostics at Ministries of Health, regulatory agencies, procurement agencies, health technology assessment agencies, national reference laboratories, and/or international NGOs, UN organizations or WHO.

Proven capacity in networking sensitively, cooperatively and productively with multiple stakeholders.2. Proficient in use of word processing, publishing (including web publishing), spreadsheet and project planning software.

Other Skills (e.g. IT): Proficient in MS Office Software applications, data analysis and technical presentations.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

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 73,516 (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 2034 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.

• The written test for shortlisted candidates will be tentatively be held in week starting 1 Feb 2021. Candidates are advised to make themselves available during that period

• 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• 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.