Vacancy Notice No: SE/CO/BAN/TIP/2015/4
Title: Technical Officer - Essential Drugs and Medicines
Grade: P4
Contract type: Temporary Appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
Duration of contract: Two Years
Date: 6 October 2015
Application Deadline: 26 October 2015
Duty Station: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Organization unit: SEARO Countries (SE_ACO) /
SE_BAN WR Office, Bangladesh (SE_BAN)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :

The WHO Country Office collaborates with the Government of Bangladesh and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS) to provide technical assistance to the Government in the formulation of national drug policies, strategies and plan of actions and developing guidelines and tools for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of interventions for improving access of essential medicines related activities; and in the strengthening of the capacity of the NRA and NCL.Description of duties:

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to the Bangladesh Country Office, direct supervision of the WHO Country Office Health Systems Team Leader, and working in close collaboration with the Regional Office advisor on essential drugs and medicines; and the health system team in the country office, the incumbent will be working with the national authorities and other relevant stakeholders to:

Provide technical assistance to the Government of Bangladesh in the development/improvement; implementation and evaluation of its national policies, strategies and plans as related to essential drugs and medicines; other medical products & technologies;.
Provide technical assistance to the government and relevant authorities on strengthening the rational use of drugs and medicines and anti-microbial resistance;
Provide technical support towards the strengthening of the Directorate General of Drug Administration in regard to its regulatory functions of drugs and medicines (including vaccines);
Assist in the strengthening of integrated, people-centered health service delivery, with a focus on improving the quantification, procurement and the drug supply chain management system;
Assist the Government of Bangladesh in strengthening its regulatory framework towards intellectual property rights and the trade of medical products (drugs, medicines and vaccines) and technologies;
Support the generation of evidence and increased demand for the use of information in the policy process as related to essential drugs and medicines (including its rational use);
Establish and maintain collaboration with outside partners and stakeholders including UN Organizations, the Global Fund, GAVI, BMGF, the World Bank and other multi and bi-lateral organizations, civil society and professional associations that are involved in improving access to quality assured drugs and medicines;
Manage the WHO related work plan activities (including contractual arrangements) in regard to essential drugs and medicines, anti-microbial resistance, regulatory functions of the national drug authority, medical technology, and intellectual property rights, including the recruitment of short term experts as required.
Contribute to Universal Health Coverage related efforts with a focus on Essential Drugs and Medicines;
Support efforts towards strengthening the stewardship and good governance functions related to Essential Drugs and Medicines and in general contribute to overall efforts on health systems development;
Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor
Submit an assignment report upon completion of assignment.

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential:
University degree in pharmacy or medicine with post graduate degree in public health or health management or pharmacology or pharmaceutical management related area
Desirable:
Additional training in drug supply management and pharmacovigilance.

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an accredited institution. The list can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/

Skills

Experience:

Essential:
At least seven years of relevant experience in essential drugs and medicines policies; rational drug use principles (selection, prescribing and dispensing) in low income settings; and public health, some of which should have been obtained in an international context.

Desirable:
Experience in pharmaceutical regulation and quality control (medicines and health legislation, surveillance system); and procurement and supply chain management (good procurement practices, good distribution practices, good storage practices, good pharmacy practices).Languages:
Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.

Skills:

Essential:

Demonstrated expertise in national drug policies, rational drug use, quality assurance and use of WHO standards and guidelines on pre-qualification of essential medicines and vaccines.

Desirable:

• Knowledge on supply chain management and ablity to identify bottlenecks and provide appropriate solutions.
• Demonstrated experience in inter-sectoral collaboration and ability to work with other agencies and development partners.

Competencies:
1.Teamwork
2.Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3.Communication
4.Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5.Moving forward in a changing environment

Other Skills (e.g. IT):
Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, and working knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications.

Additional Information:
WHO's salaries are calculated in US dollars. They consist of a base salary and a post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level. 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.