Technical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Regulation and Prequalification Department (RPQ) 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. RPQ works within the Access to Medicines and Health Products Division (MHP) division departments in the wider framework of Universal Health Coverage 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 RPQ Department has two large areas of work: Regulation and Safety, and Prequalification. Regulation and Safety (REG) Unit which consists of six teams is covering the areas of regulatory systems strengthening, regulatory convergence and networks, facilitated product introduction, pharmacovigilance, incidents and substandard and falsified medicines and laboratory networks and services.The objective of the Regulatory Convergence and Networks Team in the context of REG Unit is to strengthen national and regional regulatory capacity as well as harmonization, work-sharing and reliance practices through enhanced intercountry, regional and interregional collaboration, cooperation and networking, to promote effective regulation of medical products and other health technologies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

- Provide technical support to WHO Member States National Regulatory Authorities and Regional Regulatory Harmonization Initiatives' Secretariats in regulatory matters related to the medical products upon requests by the respective Member States or Regulatory Harmonization Initiatives;

- Promote regulatory cooperation, convergence, harmonization and work-sharing in the area of medical products through the provision of technical expertise and assistance in the development and implementation of harmonized technical requirements and guidelines involving international and regional regulatory networks and initiatives;

- Assist WHO in provision of direct technical support and strategic direction to regulatory networks (such as AVAREF, ABRF, etc.);

- Contribute to the establishment and maintenance of electronic platforms to facilitate the authorization of clinical trials and/or the authorization for use of medical products in WHO Member States;

- Participate in National Regulatory Authority (NRA) benchmarking in selected countries as well as in the Regional Regulatory Harmonization Initiatives as part of the WHO regulatory systems strengthening programme;

- Undertake other tasks as required by the Team Lead of Regulatory Convergence and Networks and Unit Head of Regulation and Safety Unit.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A first level university degree in pharmacy, medicine, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology or related science. Post-graduate degree (Master's level or above) in pharmacy, medicine, biological sciences, or other health science-related field.
Desirable:

Experience

Essential: At least seven years' experience in regulation, production and/or development of medical products at national and/or international level. Experience with national decision making and in advisory and advocacy roles to senior government officials and policy makers.
Desirable: Experience in working for development programmes in developing countries. Experience in working with international organization (including WHO) is an asset.

Skills

- Excellent understanding of the concepts of medical product regulation throughout the product life cycle (including regulation of clinical trials) and of WHO's policies and strategies in this area.- Good knowledge of product development and production as well as issues related to regulation of and access to medical products, especially in the context of low- and middle-income countries. - Proven ability to plan and implement new strategies and activities to achieve a goal. Ability to function effectively in and liaise with multi-sectoral stakeholders with high level of tact and diplomacy.- Excellent interpersonal, negotiating and communication skills including presentation skills.- Substantial knowledge of all aspects of project management and development.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable:

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 5697 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.