National Professional Officer Essential Medicines & Pharmaceutical Policies

NATIONAL PROFESSIONAL OFFICER, ESSENTIAL MEDICINES & PHARMACEUTICAL POLICIES (POSITION NO 326739) (EMRO/11/TA43)

29 March 2011
The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: EMRO/11/TA43
Title: National Professional Officer, Essential Medicines & Pharmaceutical Policies (Position no 326739)
Grade: NO-A
Contract type: Temporary appointment
Duration of contract: Temporary position for one year
Date: 28 March 2011
Application Deadline: 19 April 2011
Duty Station: Cairo, Egypt
Organization unit: EMRO Eastern Mediterranian Regional Office (EM/RGO), EM/DHS Division of Health Systems & Services Development (EM/DHS)
Essential Medicines & Pharmaceutical Policies (EMP)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :

The Essential Medicines and Pharmaceutical Policies (EMP) Unit is part of the Division of Health Systems and Services Development (DHS) at WHO/EMRO. The Unit is responsible for work in the areas of Medicines and Traditional Medicines. Within each area, EMP implements various programs and provides technical support to Member States in developing regional capacity, enhancing performance of their pharmaceutical systems and improving access to essential medicines.

The WHO prequalification programme for medicines aims to facilitate access to medicines that meet unified standards of quality, safety and efficacy for HIV/AIDs, malaria, tuberculosis and reproductive health and a range of other priority essential medicines. This project is WHO's concrete contribution to the UN priority goal of addressing widespread diseases in countries with limited access to quality medicines.

Description of duties:

Purpose of the Post:

To assist in the implementation of EMP activities and technical products related to Essential Medicine and Pharmaceutical Policies with a focus on WHO Prequalification of Medicines Programme. This post will promote the active involvement of the Eastern Mediterranean Region in the WHO Prequalification programme as a step to enhancing the quality of medicines produced in the region.

Organizational Context:

Despite good manufacturing capacity in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), applications for prequalification of their medicines have been very limited to date. The incumbent will assist in the implementation of activities and technical products related to the WHO Prequalification of Medicines programme. In addition, He/she will offer technical and logistical support to several EMP programmes including Good Governance for Medicines, Access to controlled medicines, EC-WHO-ACP Partnership on Pharmaceutical Policy and International Conference for Improving the Use of Medicines.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

Under the general supervision of the Director, Division of Health Systems and Services Development (DHS) and the direct supervision of the Regional Adviser, Essential Medicines and Pharmaceutical Policies (EMP), the incumbent is to assist in implementation of EMP programs. The incumbent will be the focal point for the WHO prequalification programme (PQP). The incumbent will also contribute to regulatory capacity strengthening in Member States and assist in planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the PQP work plan activities in the region as well as strengthening collaboration with interested partners.

1. Strengthen advocacy efforts to establish awareness about the prequalification program (PQP) through liaising with regional manufacturers and facilitating submission of product dossiers, and production of program advocacy and communication materials.

2. Prepare draft responses to requests received from manufacturers related to prequalification of their products, in consultation with the Prequalification team.

3. Assist in technical and logistical preparation of EMP/PQP planned capacity building activities, including but not limited to inter-country meetings, programme technical briefings, introductory workshops and technical assistance missions.

4. Liaise with national regulatory authorities in the region to identify qualified regulators and inspectors and assist in expanding their participation in the WHO prequalification capacity building programs and inspection missions.

5. Contribute to regular and ad hoc technical and progress reports produced by the program and resulting from program activities.

6. Prepare quarterly PQP communiqués addressed to manufacturers, regulators and other stakeholders in the region providing latest updates and program information.

7. Liaise with related technical units at WHO EMRO including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria.

8. Assist in establishing baseline data on the manufacturing capacity of quality products in the region, regulatory requirements, information from countries receiving Global Fund grants and market size of medicines covered by the programme.

9. Support the efforts of the Prequalification programme of National Quality Control Laboratories (NQCL) through maintaining liaison with NQCLs in Member States and encourage submission of expression of interest for prequalification of NQCL.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: University degree in pharmacy or pharmaceutically related sciences.

Desirable: Post graduate studies in public policy or any related field of study.

Skills:

Competencies:

1- Fostering integration and teamwork.
2- Communicating in credible and efficient way.
3- Producing results.

Functional Skills and Knowledge:
- Knowledge of evidence-based policy making and international program advocacy;
- Knowledge of program management, monitoring and evaluation;
- Proven ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment;
- Ability to write clear and concise reports;
- Excellent analytical and inter-personal skills.

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

Computer literacy: word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.

Experience:

Essential:
- At least 1 year experience in implementation of medicines related public health programmes and pharmaceutical policy activities.
- Experience working with national authorities, medicines manufacturers and international partners.

Languages:
Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English and Arabic.

Additional Information:
POST IS OPEN FOR LOCAL RECRUITMENT ONLY. APPLICANTS MUST BE NATIONAL OF THE COUNTRY OF ASSIGNMENT.
Applicants are kindly requested to pay attention to the screening questions as they will be used to screen out unqualified candidates.
Only qualified applicants with the relevant experience will be considered.
A written test/presentation and interviews will be used as a form of screening. The written test might be used as an eliminatory tool.
Candidates will be interviewed using a competency-based approach.

Monthly salary:
(Net of tax)
EGP 13,838 at single rate
A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment . The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

http://jobs.mutu.org/medical-and-healthcare/national-professional-officer-essential-medicines-pharmaceutical-policies/