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: Scientist
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME:
The objective of the WHO Department of Essential Medicines and Health Products (EMP) is to contribute to saving lives and improving health by developing and promoting global guidance and best practices and by collaborating with countries to achieve:
(1) equitable and sustainable access to affordable essential medicines and health technologies and their responsible use, as a contribution to Universal Health Coverage;
(2) innovation and transfer of technology;
(3) access to efficacious, safe and quality essential medicines and health technologies.
The objective of the Policy, Access and Use team is to provide leadership and support to Member States for the development, implementation and monitoring of evidence-based policies and best practices to improve access to, and rational use of, safe, affordable and quality assured essential medicines and health technologies in countries; and to improve transparency, good governance and efficiency of the medicines supply chain in support of Universal Health Coverage. The PAU team works in close collaboration with the Regulation of Health Technologies Unit and the Innovation Unit of EMP, with other departments and programmes at WHO Headquarters, Regional and Country Offices, with UN and International Agencies, with Ministries of Health and other stakeholders, including academia, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. As defined in resolution WHA 60.29 "health technologies" refers to devices, medicines, vaccines, procedures and systems developed to solve a health problem and improve the quality oflives.
Description of duties:
- Develop and manage implementation of WHO policy for promoting evidence-based selection and use of essential medicines for priority public health conditions and populations;
- Write and disseminate WHO policy and vision, reaffirming EML rationale and outlining strategic options for ensuring impact of EML for improving access and use of essential medicines and health technologies in countries;
- Actively promote evidence-based selection and use of essential medicines and health technologies by contributing to WHO and other international events and publications;
- Carry out the functions of Secretary to the Expert Committee for Medicines Selection and Use;
- Plan and coordinate preparation of Expert Committee meetings; update of experts panels ensuring complementarity of profiles and geographical balance; identify needs for priority additions and deletions to the EML; commission and oversee execution of the medicines reviews; develop/improve methodologies and tools for applications to the EML and for reviews and communicate guidance accordingly; coordinate timely production and dissemination of Expert Committees reports and related communication material;
- Coordinate with other WHO departments and international agencies and NGOs to ensure alignment/coherence on recommended treatments for priority conditions and for use of similar robust evidence based selection methodologies for both treatment guidelines and EML;
- Develop global guidance on evidence-based selection and use of medicines as well as best practices to support country development of national EMLs;
- Facilitate sharing of information and experience among countries, research and academic institutions;
- Facilitate support to countries for generating and analyzing reliable evidence on efficacy, safety and cost effectiveness of medicines;
- Contribute to maintenance of global and regional database on evidence for medicines selection and use;
- Contribute to the development of and updating of methodologies and tools for assessing medicines use in countries and to the formulation of guidance for promoting rational use of medicines, including for combatting anti-microbial resistance;
- Develop and maintain an extensive network of international contacts with groups and organizations active in the elaboration of evidence-based clinical guidelines, health technology assessment and rational use of medicines.
Education:
Essential:
A first university degree in pharmacy or medicine; complemented by advanced degree (Masters level or above) in related area such as public health, pharmaceutical policy, clinical pharmacology.
Skills:
- Extensive knowledge and expertise in technical aspects of selection of medicines, including critical appraisal of clinical evidence, cost-effectiveness analysis as well as regulatory systems and structures.
- Expertise in the development and implementation of interventions that improve selection and use of medicines, at international and national levels, including clinical guidelines and health technology assessment.
- Comprehensive knowledge of approaches to capacity development in these technical domains, and familiarity with developing and working with relevant international networks of experts.
- Ability to assess and analyze pharmaceutical sectors in the context of health systems, and identifying entry points for effective interventions to improve selection and use of medicines.
- Ability to assess health technology and systems for ensuring cohesive selection of medicines and technologies to deliver cost-effective interventions.
- Excellent technical knowledge in promoting rational use of medicines and knowledge of medicines policies, health systems and public health and an ability to cut across different disciplines.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural team and to develop and expand international networks; develop and run international training courses; write clearly and precisely to a level needed for published WHO documents; promote and lead operational research; undertake advocacy and manage information.
- Outstanding written and communication skills in English, including experience in report writing.
- IT skills expected - word-processing, presentation and spread sheet software.
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WHO Competencies:
1. Communicating in a credible and effective way
2. Producing results
3. Moving forward in a changing environment
4. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
5. Promoting WHO's position in health leadership
Experience:
Essential:
At least 10 years of experience working in the pharmaceutical sector, with several years experience in essential medicines selection and use at national and international level. Extensive experience in the technical evaluation of clinical and cost-effectiveness data, including development of clinical guidelines and other strategies to change prescribing behaviors. Experience in evaluating national pharmaceutical systems, developing and evaluating interventions to improve pharmaceutical care. Experience in developing and leading international networks of experts and in interacting with multiple stakeholders as it relates to the pharmaceutical sector. Recognized publication records on medicines policy, selection and use in international scientific peer journals.
Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is required. Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian and Spanish would be assets.
Additional Information:
A written test may be used for screening purposes. Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice. This vacancy is published in English only.
Annual salary: (Net of tax)
USD 80'887 at single rate
USD 87'069 with primary dependants
Additional Information:
Experience: Min. 10 Years
Location: Geneva, Switzerland
Industry Type: Pharma/ Biotech/Clinical Research
Contract type: Temporary appointment
Duration of contract: One year
Grade: P5
Vacancy Notice No: HQ/14/EMP/TA101
End Date: 29th August, 2014
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