Chief, Revolving Fund Special Program for Access to Vaccines

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The Revolving Fund Special Program for Access to Vaccines (RFV) is a component of the Pan American Health Organization’s technical cooperation with its Member States and a key contributor to the success in eliminating vaccine preventable diseases, maintaining high vaccine coverage rates in the Americas. It provides support to Member States in the continuous supply of quality vaccines and promotes rapid introduction of new life-saving vaccines. It provides strategic direction on vaccine procurement to PAHO/WHO Executive Management, Representatives (PWRs), technical departments and Member States; develops and implements business development strategies for its continued growth, and leads negotiations with suppliers to ensure best pricing for countries.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the Director (D), and the direct supervision of the Assistant Director (AD), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Lead and coordinate the continued development and operations of the PAHO Regional Revolving Fund Special Program for Access to Vaccines (RFV) to facilitate access to quality vaccines and related supplies for Member States at reduced cost through the mechanism; provide technical, policy, strategic and programmatic support to consolidate the position of the RFV as the principal regional supply mechanism for vaccines in support of Member States’ immunization priorities;
2. Position the RFV as the reference regional supply mechanism for new vaccines addressing new and emerging health priorities including COVID-19, engaging and negotiating with product manufacturers, and coordinating with relevant global actors in support of PAHO Member States;
3. Oversee and coordinate implementation of the RFV Strategic Development Plan to increase engagement and uptake by Member States, to respond to new market dynamics, and to address current and future needs in accordance with PAHO Governing Bodies’ mandates. Conduct ongoing political and stakeholder analyses to contribute to decision making and the strategic development of the RFV;
4. Build consensus among Member States for continued regional action and solidarity to address vaccine needs in a complex and evolving global and regional vaccine marketplace, and as a central component of the RFV Strategic Development Plan. Provide policy, strategic, technical, and programmatic advice to Member States to enhance and position the RFV to optimize access and supply of quality vaccines and related supplies at the lowest possible price in support of national health priorities;
5. Coordinate, lead and develop, as delegated, Organizational relations with the different stakeholders involved in the vaccine procurement and supply including WHO, UNICEF, the Gavi Alliance, foundations, international financial institution’s, global funds, political integration arrangements, partnerships related to vaccine procurement, and the private sector; represent the Organization in high level events, meetings, negotiations, policy discussions with partners and stakeholders and/or industries related to vaccine procurement and supply;
6. Provide high level technical, managerial and policy advice to Executive Management and PAHO managers in areas relating to the development and operations management of the RFV; formulate policies, plans, strategies, budgets and reports in support of the Governing Bodies’ mandates related to the work of RFV;
7. Develop, define and establish the objectives, strategy, plan and budget of the RFV; ensure that the strategies and objectives are aligned with the Organization’s mission, vision, values, policies, strategies, business needs and priorities in order to ensure continuing operations and maximize results; ensure that results and products delivered are aligned with the Organizational Strategy and make significant contributions for the achievement of the expected results and strategic objectives;
8. Lead the development of internal management practices and procedures that will result in an improved offer of high-quality vaccines and related supplies at the lowest price to participating Member States; enhance and ensure the continuous and timely availability of supplies to Member States, especially single, or limited source products; negotiate effectively with vaccine manufacturers, as well as international vaccine financing mechanisms in the context of the increasingly complex and dynamic global vaccine market including increased efficiencies and digitalization of the RFV;
9. Coordinate with all relevant Organizational entities for the efficient and effective management of the RFV; consolidate and innovate RFV operations in forecasting and planning, digitization, resource programming and planning, performance monitoring and reporting, and stakeholder relations management and negotiation;
10. Administer, allocate and monitor the Special Program’s financial, logistical and staff resources; prepare, and justify the program and budget proposals; identify and mobilize financial resources to support program implementation, in collaboration with other Organizational entities and external partners;
11. Provide leadership, guidance and mentoring of supervised staff; oversee the development of the RFV human resources plan including the organizational structure, competencies and terms of reference. Initiate and recommend approval of personnel actions for all of the Special Program’s staff; ensure guidance and monitoring of staff through setting of clear work objectives, use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts. Monitor the competencies of the staff to ensure optimal performance and staff development; monitor workloads to ensure equitable distribution of work and maintain job satisfaction, efficiency and output; and follow up on any deviation of work results from objectives;
12. Promote a culture of ethical behavior and integrity in accordance with the Organization’s Code of Ethical Principles and Conduct in order to ensure a culture of respect, responsibility, accountability, and compliance;
13. Provide a stable managerial framework that demonstrates credibility, trust and value to Member States, clients and humanitarian and other donors, while optimizing staff performance; provide advice, when called upon, to institutions of Member States in the area of expertise;
14. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A bachelor’s and a master’s degree in a health or social science, business administration, management, public administration, economics, or other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized institution.

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/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience:

Essential: Fifteen years of combined national and international experience at a managerial and/or decision-making level in vaccines and/or pharmaceutical procurement and supply. Experience in managing complex negotiations and partnerships with public health manufacturers, and strategic development of business processes, projects, and programs, ideally, but not limited to the field related to public health goods procurement and supply. Experience should include progressively responsible demonstrated skills in management, diplomacy, and negotiations at high level.

Desirable: Experience in a United Nations organization or any other international organization would be an asset, as well as large public and private institutions.

SKILLS:

PAHO Competencies:

• 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: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - 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: Collaborate and cooperate with others - 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: Share knowledge - 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.
• Ensuring effective use of resources: Strategize and set clear objectives/Monitor progress and use resources well - Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives. Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization.
• Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond: Develop networks and partnerships and encourage collaboration - Builds and negotiates strategic partnerships and alliances with a wide range of key stakeholders to ensure Organizational results and success. Creates innovative opportunities for promoting synergies inside and outside the Organization to improve Organizational success.
• Driving the Organization to a successful future: Constructive leadership style/ Set the vision and build commitment - Leads and develops a road map for successfully achieving real progress in the Organization’s mandate, including consultation with key stakeholders; demonstrates respectful, trustworthy, transparent and accountable behavior in order to develop a reliable and coherent identity for the Organization. Creates a coherent Organizational vision of shared and successful goals; fosters a culture of vision and long- term goals, recognizing and rewarding efforts to maximize the Organization’s value.

Technical Expertise:

• Technical: Extensive expertise within the public or private sector at a managerial and/or decision-making level in high-volume pharmaceutical products and/or vaccines procurement and supply, including the analysis and understanding of determinants of access, and of global and regional pharmaceutical and/or vaccine markets.
• Managerial: Extensive expertise in progressively responsible management positions in large public or private institution, and in administrative and technical matters requiring sensitive negotiation with pharmaceutical industry and other stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to provide professional leadership to strategic, organizational, managerial, and analytic work; courtesy, tact, sensitivity to manage confidential information, and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different professional levels, disciplines, nationalities, and cultural backgrounds; resourcefulness, initiative, highly developed judgment, and interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations and sensitive issues.
• Administrative: Extensive experience in administrative oversight of large public or private programs or projects, including resource management and allocation, planning and programming, budgeting, and reporting.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

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

REMUNERATION

Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)

US $ 102,715.00 post adjustment

Post Adjustment: 49.6% 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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

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

For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org

PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

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 and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (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.