Snr. Tech. Specialist (WHO Health Technology Access Pool)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Access to Medicines and Health Products Division (MHP) leads WHO work to improve access to affordable medicines and health products that are safe, efficacious and of assured quality. The Access to Medicines and Health Products (MHP) Division has two major streams of work: one for the development of WHO policies and standards and the provision of specialized technical assistance to countries on access to and appropriate use of medicines and other health products; and a second one for the development and enforcement of regulations of medicines and other health products, the pre-qualification and Emergency Use Listing (EUL), as well as for strengthening regulatory authorities and local production at country and regional level. The Access to Medicines and Health Products Division (MHP) collaborates with Member States and other partners from the public and private sectors, academia and the civil society to improve access to essential medicines and other health products that are affordable, safe, efficacious and of assured quality. The MHP ADG’s Office leads and coordinates the WHO Health Technology Access Pool and the mRNA Technology Transfer Programme (mRNA TT) that contribute to the overall WHO/MHP work for improving access to affordable medicines and health products and for achieving WHO Global Program of Work strategic priorities and Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The Senior Technical Specialist (WHO Health Technology Access Pool) will carry out the following duties:

• Lead, coordinate and monitor implementation of WHO strategy, platforms and work plan for health technology suitability assessment, the sharing of intellectual property, knowledge and data on prioritized health technologies, technology transfer and diversified manufacture including through the WHO Health Technology Access Pool mechanism.
• Lead and coordinate the development and implementation of an efficient operational and governance model and WHO policies, guidance and best practices for the Health Technology Access Pool.
• Provide expert advice to WHO senior management, other WHO teams in HQ and Regional Offices and other stakeholders on issues related to the WHO Health Technology Access Pool and other similar initiatives that promote innovation, the sharing of intellectual property, knowledge and data, and access to medicines and health products.Collaborate with Member States for the development of global advocacy and regional and national policies, best practices and measures that incentivize technology holders to share their intellectual property and know-how through the Health Technology Access Pool to support equitable access to affordable, quality-assured medicines and health products.
• Collaborate with and support Member States, in particular in LMICs, in strengthening mechanisms to ensure transfer of technology is adapted to country needs and fully benefits recipient countries; and for facilitating intersectoral and interagency dialogue in countries.
• Manage and provide strategic and operational oversight of the WHO Health Technology Access Pool programme and platform, including through: partner relationship management; Engagement with Member States and public, private, academic and civil society sectors on strategic positioning, advocacy, and support; the establishment and maintenance of global and regional networks of public-health oriented technology holders and technology recipients; Oversight of liaison with and coordination of output from WHO and external experts involved in the assessment of technologies and the negotiation of licenses and technology transfer packages; oversight of discussions with technology holders; management of the Health Technology Access Pool Secretariat and support provided to the governing committee; and oversight of workplan development, performance evaluation and programme improvement.
• Lead and coordinate WHO Health Technology Access Pool contribution to and synergies with other WHO global programmes/initiatives for improving access to health technologies including WHO work for Prevention, Preparedness and Response, e.g. the Inter-Governmental Negotiating Body (INB), and the mRNA TT programme. Oversee and coordinate the development of technical and policy briefs as well as resource mobilization and communication material. Carry out other tasks as requested by supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master’s) in health sciences.
Desirable: An advanced university degree (Master’s or above) in business administration, bio-engineering, economics, international or industrial development, public health or law.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 10 years of proven senior-level experience in the development, manufacture, technology transfer and/or regulation of medicines and/or other health products.
• Strong proven experience in international collaboration and negotiations in the research and development, production and/or regulation of medicines and/or other health products.
• Experience engaging with the medical products industry, research institutions, regulatory authorities, civil society organizations and other stakeholders, and with Member States on issues related to access to medicines and health products.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multidisciplinary teams of experts in a smooth, efficient and inclusive way; and in managing financial resources.

Desirable:

• Experience in working with WHO, other UN organizations and programmes or similar institutions.
• Experience in policy, strategy and programmes development and implementation on innovation, intellectual property and access to medicines and health products issues at national, regional and international level.

Skills

• Excellent knowledge of the global landscape, strategies and practices for developing, technology transfer and manufacturing of medicines and other health products.
• Excellent knowledge of regulatory requirements, networks and harmonization activities related to the authorization and oversight of clinical trials and medicines and other health products.
• Demonstrated knowledge of policies on innovation, intellectual property, trade and access to medicines and health products and their impact on access to medicines and health products.
• Excellent knowledge of the functioning of WHO, of other relevant international organizations such as Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), UNITAID, UNDP, WIPO, WTO; of other initiatives with similar objectives e.g. mRNA TT; and of other stakeholders such as the medical products industry, research institutions and civil society.
• Demonstrated knowledge of project management principles and practices.
• Proven ability to build sustainable working relationships within and across organizations.
• Proven ability to work under pressure and to address complex and sensitive issues and situations.
• Demonstrated leadership, strategic and diplomatic skills.
• Proven ability to manage multidisciplinary teams in an efficient, transparent and inclusive manner.
• Demonstrated strong communication and writing skills.

WHO Competencies

-Teamwork
-Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
-Communication
-Producing results
-Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
-Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of UN language.

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 92,731 (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 6769 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event 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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and E-Manual.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce . Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
  An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.

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

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
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• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

• Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

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