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Technical Officer

Geneva

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Geneva
  • Grade: Mid level - P-4, International Professional - Internationally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • HQ/RPQ Regulation and Prequalification
  • Closing Date: Closed

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Regulation of Medicines and other Health Technologies unit (RHT) works with Member States and partners to improve the access to essential medicines and other health technologies of assured quality, safety and efficacy or effectiveness. RHT works within the Access to Medicines, Vaccines and Pharmaceuticals (MVP) cluster departments in the wider framework of Universal Health Coverage and category 4 of the General Programme of Work, and cooperates with disease oriented programmes (among others HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, reproductive health, maternal and child health, immunization, NCDs and mental health) towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The department works with a wide range of UN organizations, international partners and expert networks, and WHO Collaborating Centres. The Prequalification team (PQT) within RHT promotes and facilitates access to safe and appropriate diagnostics/medical devices, medicines and vaccines of assured quality through advocacy and policy, prequalification, quality assurance systems and strengthening national regulatory and laboratory programmes. PQT's global activities aim at ensuring health products are accessible, available at reasonable cost, used appropriately and are provided within an adequate regulatory framework and a sustainable health care system.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is responsible for the below tasks, under the supervision of the Diagnostics assessment Group Lead:

1. To contribute to prequalification assessments of priority in vitro diagnostics.

2. To work in close collaboration with subject matter experts supporting prequalification assessments.

3. To proactively communicate, follow-up and engage with Prequalification Team staff responsible for the different activities within Prequalification of in vitro diagnostics in order to ensure effective and coordinated planning of activities.

4. To work in close collaboration with Member States to optimize in vitro diagnostics quality assurance.

5. To provide technical advice to UN and other interested procurement agencies concerning in vitro diagnostics quality, safety and performance.

6. To support the development of prequalification guidance documents for in vitro diagnostics manufacturers and advocacy materials, newsletters and other updates for stakeholders.

7. To contribute to the development of SOPs and to update existing SOPs related to the prequalification of in vitro diagnostics.

8. To prepare reports, briefings and presentations for internal and external audiences.

9. To carry out other tasks, as required by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in a health science such as biology, biochemistry, laboratory sciences or pharmacy and an advanced university degree (Master's level of above) in a health science.
Desirable: PhD degree in a related health science.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of experience in in vitro diagnostics area, some of which gained in an international context, including working with industry and governmental bodies. Demonstrated experience in in vitro diagnostics quality assurance programmes for priority diseases such as HIV.
Desirable: Experience in collaboration with other UN organizations and industry.

Skills

Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Ability to present information effectively.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively on complex issues.

Strong interpersonal skills and team spirit.

Ability to work under tight deadlines on a results-oriented basis.

Good planning skills, ability to handle multiple tasks and priorities.

Fluency in the use of standard office software programmes.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Beginners knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, Spanish).

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 74,913 (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 5194 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 eManual.
  • Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
  • WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
  • WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
  • WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
  • 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.
This vacancy is now closed.