Technical Officer, Essential Medicines and Technologies (Fixed-Term)

Job Description

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region outlines a vision for WHO’s work with Member States and partners in the Western Pacific. Strong, resilient, sustainable health systems are integral to delivering the four thematic priorities. Up to 60% of people living in some countries in the Region do not have access to safe, quality and affordable health services and medicines. One in five families spend 10% of their income on health care. This threatens individuals, families, communities and economies. The Division of Health Systems and Services (DHS) will contribute to taking forward the vision of, and the thematic priorities in For the Future . DHS will support Member States with high quality advice and assistance on health financing, health workforce, medical products, quality and safety, law and governance, women and children, rehabilitation, surgery and health services including primary health care so that they can build resilient, responsive and sustainable health systems.

Essential Medicines and Health Technologies (EMT)
EMT supports Member States to strengthen pharmaceutical systems and regulations, including for traditional medicines to ensure equitable access to quality-assured, safe and effective therapies and health technologies and works along with other programmes to accelerate the fight against antimicrobial resistance in the Western Pacific Region.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will work under the supervision of the Coordinator in Papua New Guinea and the general guidance of the Coordinator, Essential Medicines and Health Technologies, in the Regional Office, in close cooperation with the National Department of Health and other health sector development partners.

The incumbent is responsible for, but not limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Provide technical support to national counterparts for national activities/programmes related to updating/development of national medicines and other medical products/health technologies-related laws, policies and strategies, including planning for and execution of their implementation.
2. Provide technical support to national regulatory authority and related agencies and coordinate regulatory system strengthening initiatives for core regulatory functions to ensure safety, efficacy and quality of medicines, other medical products and health technologies in Papua New Guinea, including marketing authorization, clinical trial oversight, establishment licensing and inspection, quality surveillance and pharmacovigilance.
3. Facilitate WHO’s support for capacity-development of counterparts and systems improvement for the effective supply management of essential medicines, other medical products and health technologies at national and subnational levels, including selection, quantification, procurement, distribution and storage.
4. Provide technical support for promoting rational use of medicines and other health technologies, including updating of essential medicines list and procurement lists, treatment guidelines and drug formulary and other relevant measures.
5. Provide technical support to national authorities and coordinate efforts with other technical units and partners to strengthen the health system’s response in addressing antimicrobial resistance through national/local antimicrobial stewardship programmes, antimicrobial consumption monitoring and awareness raising to achieve behavioural change regarding the optimal use of antimicrobials both by health professionals and patients/consumers.
6. Provide technical support to national counterparts and relevant agencies in measuring/monitoring data on essential medicines, other medical products and health technologies to inform policy development and programme planning including contributing to the production of national reports and other publications in the above areas and participating in regional and global surveys and assessments.
7. Perform other duties as assigned by the HWO and supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences or related field and an advanced university degree in pharmaceutical sciences, pharmacy, pharmaceutical & medical device development, public health, or related field from a recognized university/institution.

Desirable: Additional qualifications in supply chain management, regulatory affairs, engineering studies in medical devices and technologies, or health systems strengthening.

Experience

Essential: Minimum seven years of essential medicines and technology related work experience within a national regulatory authority or Ministry of Health with at least three years international experience in low- to low-middle-income country settings.

Desirable: A working knowledge of WHO systems.

Skills

• Ability to undertake policy analysis, planning, management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to apply knowledge of health systems and principles of integrated people-centred service delivery.
• Ability to synthesize information from multiple sources into coherent and clear policy advice to decision-makers.
• Communication skills with the ability to present clearly and logically in written and oral form.
• Organizational skills with the ability to work within strict deadlines.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to maintain effective partnerships and working relations in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Creating an empowering and motivating environment
5. Producing results
6. Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Written and spoken fluency in English
Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.