Roster for Antimicrobial and other Medicines

Objectives of the Programme

Health system strengthening for universal health coverage is a priority for all countries in the WHO South East Asia Region, and this has been reinforced by the recent international endorsement of the Sustainable Development Goals 2016-2030.

The Essential Medicines and Drugs (EDM) Unit within the Department of Health Systems Development contributes to two flagship priority areas of work in the South East Asia region

1) “Universal Health Coverage(UHC) – with focus and essential medicines and health workforce ” and

2) “Building national capacity for prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance”.

In the context of these flagship priority areas the WHO South East Asia Region Regional Office has identified 5 strategic priority areas of work on\:

1. Facilitating collaborative medicines procurement to improve access to quality and affordable medicines

2. Strengthening regulatory collaboration between countries in medical product regulation

3. Increasing national capacities to use intellectual property and trade rules to improve access

4. Improve the use of antibiotic through sustained focus on antimicrobial stewardship

5. Strengthen the monitoring of access to medicines

In order to support these strategic areas of work the EDM unit provides support for\:
a) technical assistance/ backstopping to South East Asia Member States in the development and implementation of national medicines and medical product related policies, strategies and regulations and strengthening national pharmaceutical system to move towards UHC.

b) increasing national capacity in the above areas.

c) production of regional and global public goods on access to medicines, including production of biennial regional status report.

In order to respond to the increased need for timely and quality assured technical assistance in the above field of the World Health Organization Regional Office for South East Asia (SEARO) is issuing a call of expression of interest.

The expected technical support by WHO short term experts or consultants will be oriented towards\:

a) improving access to essential medicines and medical product;

b) prevent and mitigate risk of antimicrobial resistance.

The engagement of WHO consultants would be on providing technical assistance to Member States and partners. For this purpose, SEARO EDM/HSD is developing a data bank of eligible consultants by inviting interested individuals to apply for enrollment in the WHO EDM/HSD roster of consultants.

Summary of Assigned Duties and Scope of work to be performed by short term experts

Under the broad guidance of Director, Health System Development and under the direct supervision of the Regional Adviser, EDM the incumbent may have the following work to be performed (duties are not all inclusive nor exhaustive)\:
Please indicate in you application Output number(s) where you wish to be considered as a short term expert.

Output 1. Provide technical support to Members states in development and implementation of national/local antimicrobial stewardship policies, programs and in adaptation of relevant WHO tools, guidance to accelerate and sustain effective interventions to optimise use of antibiotics, as mandated by National Action Plans on antimicrobial resistance.

Output 2. Provide technical support to Member States to develop antimicrobial consumption monitoring systems at national and/or health facility level using WHO methodology and tools and share consumption data through WHO’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS). Support implementation of monitoring systems to evaluate the use of antimicrobials (from basic antibiotic use indicators to point prevalence surveys, etc.) to up-scale and sustain cost-effective antimicrobial stewardship interventions.

Output 3. Provide technical support to Member States on the selection of essential medicines and other medical products (diagnostics, vaccines, biologicals and medical devices) and update/ development of national essential medicines lists (EML) including the adaptation of WHO AWARE classification for antimicrobials in the national EML or update/development of other national essential medical products list. Promote the essential medical product concept and facilitate implementation of essential medical product programs.

Output 4. Provide technical support on the development/update of national treatment guidelines promoting the appropriate and safe use of essential medicines and other essential medical products in countries, including development of antimicrobial policies/ antimicrobial guidelines. Support ongoing national treatment guidelines implementation efforts to ensure adherence by prescribers and users of medical products and quality health services.

Output 5. Provide Technical support to Member States to formulate/ update national medicines and other medical product policies, including preparation of detailed implementation and monitoring and evaluation plans, aligned with national health plans and/or strategic framework on Universal Health Coverage.

Output 6. Provide technical support for monitoring the availability and affordability of medicines and other medical product using established WHO methodologies and tools and support reporting of relevant national and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicators on a regular basis, as part of monitoring progress towards Universal Health Coverage.

Output 7. Provide technical support to Member Sates in policy formulation to increase access to affordable medicines and medical products and reduce out-of-pocket expenses by households through better financing and effective medicines/ medical product pricing, reimbursement, procurement and supply management policies and good practices.

Output 8. Support implementation of WHO SEARO’s regional work on access to medicines and antimicrobial resistance; including, among others, the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and documentation of policies, action plans, strategies and good practices/ experiences in the region. Assist with liaising and maintaining good working relations with national governments, non-governmental organizations, other UN agencies, partner organizations and institutions with a view to facilitate the formulation and adoption of relevant policies, strategies and guidelines and to facilitate the mobilization of resources

Undertake any other tasks/duties as assigned by supervisors. Submit an end of assignment report (mandatory).

Competencies
1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Ensuring effective use of resources

Functional Skills and Knowledge

- The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization. Thorough

- Knowledge of the situation in Member States with regard health systems, access to medicines and antimicrobial resistance with good understanding of country's needs and priorities, of issues and policies.

- Very good knowledge of WHO/UN policies, programmes and guidelines in the related areas will be an advantage.

- Sound technical and policy advisory skills, based on evidence.

- Leadership skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and colleagues in a team setting at national and international levels, to share information and data and make oral and written presentations on technical
issues.

- Very good ability to build and maintain relations and network with national authorities and other stakeholders across relevant sectors. Understanding of the potential motivating factors within national context and ability to adjust to new
approaches in an increasingly complex environment. Modern management skills (planning and evaluation, etc.)

- Capacity to prepare terms of reference and to prepare and monitor and manage the implementation of contractual agreements. Capacity to convey information and options in a structured and credible way; ability to speak and write clearly.

- The incumbent should coordinate with WHO EDM/HSD team and other relevant technical units to plan, monitor and implement WHO financial and human resources effectively and efficiently for supporting the country’s response in above areas, in close coordination and cooperation of concerned teams across the three levels of the Organization.

Education (Qualification)

Essential\: First University degree from a recognised University in Medicines, Pharmaceutical and or Health Sciences /Public Health will be required for all levels and relevant Advanced University degree (e.g. Master’s level or higher) in Medicine Pharmaceutical and or Health Sciences /Public Health or higher qualifications in relevant field for P4 level and above.

Desirable\: International training in relevant fields, including relevant WHO trainings.

Experience

Essential\: At least 5 to 10 years’ experience essential medicines/ medical product and/or antimicrobial resistance related programme management/ project management in a developing country as per the below grades\:

- For P3 grade\: At least five years of relevant experience including some years of relevant international experience

- For P4 grade\: At least seven years of relevant experience, some of which should have been obtained in an international
context

- For P5 grade\: At least ten years of relevant experience, including considerable experience in an international context.

Desirable\:

1. Experience in monitoring and review of essential medicines/ medical product and/or antimicrobial resistance projects in developing countries.

2. Experience in analyzing relevant data and producing relevant reports with time-bound recommendations

3. Managing/ overseeing, monitoring progress of donor assisted projects/ programmes related improving access to essential medicines/ medical product and/or antimicrobial resistance in low- middle income countries.

4. Provided trainings and conducted workshop in relevant fields - individually or as institutional arrangements

Languages\: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.

Other skills (eg. IT)\: - Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications and computer skills for making high quality technical presentations.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

- This VN would be used to establish a roster of qualified professional with relevant expertise at P3/P4/P5 grades, to meet the need of qualified experts in the SEA Region to support work on access to medicines and antimicrobial resistance

- The Grade of the position will be fixed based on the level of responsibilities and complexity of tasks assigned as reflected in the terms of reference.

- The duration of assignment would vary (for example\: from weeks to months up to two years). Any extension of contract would be subject to programmatic requirements, performance of the incumbent and availability of funds.

- 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.

-Please indicate in you application Output number(s) where you wish to be considered as a short term expert.

- A written test and interview may be used to screen applicants.Please submit a sample of publication, past reports etc to support your application in specific Output areas.

- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

- 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.

- For information on WHO's operations please visit\:http\://www.who.int./

- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

- Applications from women and from nationals of non-and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

- Please visit the following websites for detailed information on salary scales\: http\://icsc.un.org. Click on\: Quick Links > Salary Scales > by date