Scientist

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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the responsibility of the Group Lead, Country Regulatory Strengthening (CRS), Regulatory Systems Strengthening (RSS) Team:

a. In the context ofstrengthening of national regulatory systemsconducts benchmarking missions to document the status of regulatory systems for medical products using the harmonized global benchmarking model, according to defined priorities.

b. Provides technically sound assistance in the formulation of institutional development plans, including appropriate capacity building and technical support activities to address identified gaps following the benchmarking, including technical seminars, workshops and or country/regional training courses.

c. Plays a crucial role in the development and continual improvement of the WHO benchmarking tool, policy and procedures including with respect to maturity level, reliance, reassessment, transparency and prioritization.

d. Provides input to the development, improvement and maintenance of IT tools related to regulatory system strengthening activities, including the electronic benchmarking tool, databases and mobile applications.

e. Provides technical advice on regulatory system strengthening activities and relevant regulatory matters, including the development of briefing notes, responses to questions and requests from Regional and Country Offices.

f. Participates in advocacy and contributes to fundraising for the WHO regulatory strengthening program involving multilateral and bilateral donors, including under Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC).

g. Contributes to the development and implementation of guidelines related to regulatory system strengthening, including for example the implementation of quality management systems, and marketing authorization of pandemic influenza guidelines by national regulatory authorities and other key stakeholders at national levels.

h. Assesses regulatory preparedness of, and contributes to any subsequent support that is needed, to Member States, to accelerate access to pandemic influenza products.

i. Works in collaboration with regional and country offices in executing regulatory system strengthening and the sharing of knowledge, best practices and lessons learned.

j. Responsible for execution of workplans, on time reporting of results and outcomes for onward reporting to management and donors.

k. Undertakes other duties as assigned by Group Lead, CRS/RSS.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in Biology, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Medicine, Microbiology or related sciences. Post graduate degree in Microbiology, biotechnology, bioengineering or related science.
Desirable: Specialization in medicines and vaccine regulation and/or production and/or quality assurance.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years' experience in regulation and production/control/quality assurance of medicines and vaccines and biologicals acquired by working with a medicines, vaccine manufacturer or national regulatory authority. At least two years' experience at international level. Experience in the implementation and management of collaborative projects at national and international/regional levels.
Desirable: Relevant experience working with low and middle income countries.Familiarity with, quality management principles and project management.

Skills

Expertise in the regulation of medical products and good understanding of WHO's policies and strategies in this area. Good knowledge of product development, production and control. Recognized ability to work with experts at national, regional and international levels. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of different national and cultural background; and to supervise programmes, budgets, individuals and teams.

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: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 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 5483 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 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.