WHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.
Post: Technical Officer- Pharmaceutical Policy
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME:
WHO India Country Office collaborates with the Government of India and relevant stakeholders within the framework of the collaborative Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), to actively support the development and implementation of national health policies, strategies and plans in the area of Pharmaceutical policy, the strengthening of drug regulatory authorities and other relevant stakeholders, improvements in the accessibility to quality, safe and affordable medicines and vaccines as well as the strengthening of India's role in global health.
The WCO-India programme of work supports the GOI in :
(i) Building stewardship, policy making and implementation capacity in the pharmaceutical area
(ii) Developing and implementing effective policies for improved access and rationale use of pharmaceutical products within the scope of Universal Health Coverage agenda.
(iii) Improving pharmaceutical quality assurance and control tools, mechanism and capacity
(iv) Improving the management of the procurement and supply systems for quality generic essential medicines.
Underlying Values and Core Functions of WHO
All the Member States of WHO South East Asia Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human right. All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying values of equity, solidarity and participation.
The seven-point global health agenda contained in WHO's Eleventh General Programme of Work (2006-2015) includes: (i) investing in health to reduce poverty; (ii) building individual and global health security; (iii) promoting universal coverage, gender equality and health related human rights; (iv) tackling determinants of health; (v) strengthening health systems and equitable access; (vi) harnessing knowledge, science and technology; and (vii) strengthening governance, leadership and accountability.
WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing leadership on global health matters; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii) setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options; (v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends.
The South -East Asia Region of WHO is made up of 11 countries, with over 1.8 billion people, with India's population of 1.2 billion. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems as well as of the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate.
Mission of the WHO Country Office for India
Within the framework of WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy, the mission of the WHO Country Office is to support India in: (i) developing and sustaining its own health policies, health systems and public health programmes; (ii) working to prevent and overcome threats to health; (iii) anticipating future challenges; and (iv) advocating public health.
Purpose of the Position:
Contribute to implementation of WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy with the Government of India by supporting the work of the WHO Country Office for India in the area of pharmaceuticals (including medical technology/devices) with emphasis on policy, access, regulation, quality and rational use of drugs. Lead and coordinate the collaboration with national authorities, UN agencies and other partners, promoting evidence-based strategies and interventions in the area of pharmaceuticals and developing mechanisms to measure the impact of those strategies on population health.
Description of duties:
Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to India and the direct supervision of Coordinator, Health Programmes, in close collaboration with the Health systems team leader with a view to achieve the expected results set out in the relevant WCO-India biennial workplans in accordance with WHO's Country Cooperation Strategy with India (2012-2017), as part of the WCO-India team working on health systems, the incumbent will have the following responsibilities:
1. Provide technical support to the WHO Country Office team working on health systems towards UHC and to the development and implementation of the relevant work plans under the WHO-GOI collaborative programme and support the monitoring and evaluation of related activities.
2. Contribute to the development of a WCO-India country specific strategy in the area of pharmaceuticals, with a view to ensure a greater corporate consistency of various interventions developed under specific health programmes
3. Lead the development of evidence-based WCO's knowledge in the pharmaceutical area. Contribute to the compilation and analyses of existing evidence and data and to the preparation and conduct of selected key research and studies on the India pharmaceutical sector and the accessibility to pharmaceutical products in the move towards Universal Health Coverage. Contribute to evaluating the impact of pharmaceutical policy and to developing evaluation tools.
4. With a view to support evidence based decision making, help the GOI further develop systems and mechanisms for the monitoring of the situation in the pharmaceutical area and the evaluation of policies, strategies and interventions in that area. Provide technical and policy advice in related areas. Help ensure the availability at both the Union and the State levels of relevant and reliable evidence data and information on pharmaceuticals related issues and needs, policies, strategies and interventions. Help further develop sustainable initiatives for evidence base policy dialogue on pharmaceutical related matters among national authorities, national stakeholders and between them and international experts.
5. Facilitate the formulation and adoption of relevant policies, strategies and interventions, promote initiatives and support the adaptation, transposition and implementation of international norms and standards related to pharmaceuticals.
6. Help identify key gaps and needs in the pharmaceutical area and help build up the capacity of key stakeholders. Provide technical support to the implementation of national plans and key activities in the area of pharmaceutical policies.
7. Support the strengthening of India's role in global health matters, including by promoting various models of collaboration and transfer of know-how (South-South collaboration, BRICS collaboration, others)
8. Contribute to the relevant external relationships, representation, communication and advocacy work of the WCO. Provide coordination, drafting support and technical input for WCO publications on the development of pharmaceutical policy, donor proposals, events, and other work including dissemination/sharing of its experience in relevant national and international contexts.
9. Support information brokering/exchange function of WCO India through contributions to the health information repository at the WCO India by collation, analysis and sharing of relevant health information and statistics.
10. Prepare administrative and technical reports and undertake any other duties as assigned by supervisors.
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Education:
Essential: Advanced University Degree in Health or Pharmacy or Social Sciences, Management or Economics.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree (Master or PhD) in related areas like Health Policy, Health Economics or Social Sciences for health would be an asset.
Skills:
Functional Skills and Knowledge:
The incumbent should identify with the core values of the World Health Organization.
Thorough knowledge of the situation in India with regard to pharmaceuticals policy with good understanding of country's needs and priorities, of issues and policies in various aspects of pharmaceuticals, of regulatory systems, main stakeholders and actors. Very good knowledge of WHO policies, programmes and guidelines in the related areas.
Good knowledge of the international regulatory framework for pharmaceuticals, of trade and geopolitics of pharmaceuticals and of the strategies and progammes of various international agencies.
Sound technical and policy advisory skills, based on evidence. Public health leadership skills with demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and colleagues in a team setting at national and international levels, to share information and data and make oral and written presentations on technical issues. Very good ability to build and maintain relations and network with national authorities and other stakeholders across relevant sectors. Understanding of the potential motivating factors within national context and ability to adjust to new approaches in an increasingly complex environment.
Modern management skills (performance management, team management, planning and evaluation, etc).Capacity to prepare terms of reference and to prepare and monitor and manage the implementation of contractual agreements. Capacity to convey information and options in a structured and credible way; ability to speak and write clearly. Proficiency in computer applications and ability to draft reports.
Knowledge of WHO /UN agencies programmes and practices will be an advantage.
Competencies:
Building and Promoting Partnerships across the organization and beyond
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment
Promoting WHO's position in health leadership
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Other Skills (e.g. IT):
Excellent knowledge of MS Office applications, especially Excel computer skills for making high quality data analysis and technical presentations.
Experience:
Essential: At least ten years of progressively responsible experience in pharmaceuticals, health systems planning, evaluation and strategic analyses. Track record in positions that required strong technical and evidence generation skills within multi-sectoral environment and in multi-disciplinary tasks with precise goals. Very good knowledge of international pharmaceutical related matters.
Desirable: Experience of work in UN and/or other international organizations. Experience in promoting/supporting policy dialogue on pharmaceutical related matters.
Languages:
Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
Annual salary: (Net of tax)
USD 80,734 at single rate
USD 86,904 with primary dependants
Additional Information:
Location: New Delhi
Industry Type: Pharma/ Biotech/Clinical Research
Duration of contract: Two year
Vacancy Notice No: SEARO/13/TA7
End Date: 4th Oct, 2013
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