International Expert on Technology Transfer in the Health Industry

Remote | Home Based - May require travel

Organization: UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization
Location: Remote | Home Based - May require travel
Grade: Volunteer - International Specialist - Internationally recruited Volunteer
Occupational Groups:
- Public Health and Health Service
- Information Technology and Computer Science
Closing Date: Closed

Requisition ID: 4250
Grade: ISA-Senior Specialist
Country: Home Based
Duty Station: Home Based
Category: International Consultant
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Non-staff WAE
Contract Duration: 50 working days over a period
Application Deadline: 08-Aug-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)

Vacancy Announcement
TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT OF PROJECT PERSONNEL
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

Directorate of Technical Cooperation and Sustainable Industrial Development (TCS), headed by a Managing Director, ensures the Organization's application of strategies and interventions for sustainable industrial development related to environment, energy, Micro, Small and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), and digitalization. The Directorate also oversees the Organization's normative contribution to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals through industrial policy advice and capacity development. Through coordination in-house and with Member States and industry stakeholders, it ensures that the services provided in these areas contribute to effective and appropriate technical, business and policy solutions and are focused on results, scaling up and positioning UNIDO as a leading platform for industrial development in developing countries and global fora.

The Directorate is responsible for the Division of Industrial Policy Advice and Capacity Development (TCS/IPC), and technical Divisions of Circular Economy and Green Industry (TCS/CEG), Energy and Climate Action (TCS/ECA), Climate Innovation and Montreal Protocol (TCS/CMP); MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME); and Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence (TCS/DAI). Leveraging the diverse skill sets of UNIDO personnel and the services provided by the two TC directorates, TCS collaborates closely with IET to develop and implement programmes and projects, aiming at enhancing synergy and complementarity and maximizing UNIDO corporate performance and impacts on the ground. The Directorate also ensures close coordination and collaboration among the Divisions as well as with relevant entities in all Directorates across the Organization.

The Division of MSME Competitiveness, Quality and Job Creation (TCS/SME) works towards increasing the competitiveness of industries in developing countries and countries in transition, especially emphasizing business development of MSMEs engaged in manufacturing and creating jobs therein. It aims at increasing competitiveness among MSMEs in two interconnected ways: first, by modernizing businesses through the transfer of advanced technologies adapted to local conditions, product innovation, productivity improvement and upgrading, developing market and value chain readiness as well as improved access to finance; and second, by improving the quality of MSME manufactured products and their compliance with market requirements through capacity building for the development of industrial production and trade-related quality infrastructure including for standardization, metrology, accreditation and of conformity assessment service institutions (testing, certification, inspection and calibration) and the strengthening of their capacities.

This position locates in the MSME Development and Job Creation Unit (TCS/SME/MDJ) supports micro, small and medium manufacturing enterprises (MSMEs) in Member States to take advantage of new technologies, business and organizational support, investment promotion, cluster development and partnerships to improve their businesses for advancing the overall economic competitiveness.

The incumbent works under the overall guidance of the Division Chief and the direct supervision of the Industrial Development Officer serving as Team Lead for Health Industries and managing the UNIDO project “Increasing African production of vaccines and essential medicines through business linkages and technology transfer” (ID: 220179), which is funding this position.

PROJECT CONTEXT

The aim of the project “Increasing African production of vaccines and essential medicines through business linkages and technology transfer” (UNIDO ID 220179) is to enhance African capacities for the production of health commodities, by facilitating technology transfer partnerships between private sector actors.

Today, local industry in Africa produces less than 2% of the vaccines used by Africans, and more than 90% of medical and pharmaceutical products consumed on the continent need to be imported. Specially after the supply chain disruptions triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused vaccine and medicine shortages throughout the continent, Africa's dependence on imports of these critical health commodities is widely recognized as a serious threat to health security, and a condition that needs to be ameliorated urgently to prevent future crises.

The project will support needs-based streamlining of responses to the challenge of vaccine manufacturing in Africa, particularly through market analyses on a regional basis. It will also support transfer of production know-how and capabilities to African medicines producers in certain therapeutic categories.

Component 1 – Vaccines

Given the existing low manufacturing capacity for vaccines in Africa, expanding local production of vaccines will require enhanced technology transfer. This, in turn, will require rationalized product / marketing plans on a regional basis to generate business opportunities that are commercially viable and attractive for prospective technology transfer and investment partners. Such product / marketing plans for vaccines (covering demand projections, procurement patterns, and prospects for purchase commitments by potential buyers) are an anticipated project output.

Component 2 – Essential Medicines

To enhance local companies' product portfolios and thereby increase local production coverage of the Essential Medicines’ List, the project will support technology transfer from companies in a more sophisticated pharmaceutical industry (e.g. Germany's) to fill gaps in African companies' technological capability and capacity, and product offerings. The envisioned output is the conclusion of North-South technology transfer arrangements for selected essential medicines.

FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the close supervision of the Project Manager and the project team, the International Expert shall fulfil the following duties:

Main Duties	Concrete/ measurable Outputs to be achieved	Expected duration	Location
Review of existing UNIDO publications Review existing UNIDO publications and research to ensure the new guidebook builds on and aligns with previous work. Identify gaps and opportunities for further exploration within the context of UNIDO’s existing body of knowledge.	Written overview of reviewed publications and identified gaps	5 w/days	Home- based, with missions as required
Research and analysis Conduct comprehensive research on current trends in technology transfer, licensing, and potential business models in the pharmaceutical and health industries. Research technical, commercial, and legal modalities of technology transfer as well as market dynamics, regulatory environments, and best practices in these areas. Investigate regulatory frameworks and challenges specific to Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia (pharmaceuticals) as well as the ECOWAS and EAC regions (vaccines)	Incorporation of insights into the guidebook	15 w/days
Case study compilation Collect and document local case studies from the project, focusing on practical examples of technology transfer in pharmaceuticals and vaccines. Engage with project stakeholders to gather detailed information and insights for the case studies.	Compilation of documented case studies	10 w/days
Guidebook development Write and edit a detailed guidebook with four chapters: Regulatory frameworks and challenges in Nigeria, Kenya, and Ethiopia (pharmaceuticals); ECOWAS and EAC (vaccines) Contract modalities for technology transfer in pharmaceuticals and vaccines; Market opportunities and investment promotion; Local case studies from the project. Ensure that the guidebook is comprehensive, accurate, and aligns with UNIDO’s objectives and standards.	Guidebook published	20 w/days
Final report As per UNIDO standards, prepare a final report on the activities undertaken during the assignment period	Final report submitted
TOTAL	50 w/days

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

Core Values

WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key Competencies

WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity. WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

MINIMUM ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Education: Advanced academic degree in pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical engineering, public health or related discipline as well as university-level training in (industrial) economics, business administration, finance, or similar.

Experience, technical and functional expertise

A minimum of 10 years of professional experience, including some at the international level, related to technology transfer processes and licensing agreements, with in-depth understanding of commercialization strategies in the pharmaceutical sector, is required.
Experience working with various stakeholders in the pharmaceutical/vaccine industry, including companies, government agencies, and international organizations, with knowledge of their operational models, market dynamics, and regulatory environments specific to pharmaceutical and vaccine production, is required.
Demonstrated ability to author publications and research reports on technology transfer, investment promotion, and market data analysis, with experience in preparing strategic documents for international organizations, companies, or government agencies, is required.

Languages: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Knowledge of French is an asset.

This appointment is limited to the specified project(s) only and does not carry any expectation of renewal.
Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO website for details on how to apply: www.unido.org

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: recruitment@unido.org

This vacancy is now closed.