Technical Officer (Health Technologies) At World Health Organization (WHO)


JOB DESCRIPTION

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) countries in the South-East Asia region have placed a particular focus on improving access to quality essential medical products (medicines, vaccines, medical devices and diagnostics). In 2018, Member States endorsed the Delhi Declaration on accelerating progress on access to quality medical products in the South-East Asia Region and beyond. All countries aim to provide affordable access to quality diagnostics and medical devices for health services and prioritize cost effective, safe and quality health technologies in public funded programmes, which are critical for attaining UHC. To support this strategic area of work, SEARO aims to1.Provide technical assistance to South-East Asia Member States and WHO country offices in development and implementation of national policies to strengthen national systems for improved access to essential medical diagnostics and medical devices.2.Support South-East Asia Member States and WHO country offices in developing list of essential in vitro diagnostics for different levels of health care depending upon epidemiology, human resources andinfrastructure3.Promote adoption of efficient arrangements for improved access to safe, efficacious and quality medical devices and diagnostics including through the South -East Asia Regulatory Network(SEARN) Support necessary linkages within and across departments of the Regional Office as well as at country for comprehensive approaches on medical devices and diagnostics to support disease specific programs. 4.Support establishing/ strengthening national systems and capacities for health interventions and technology assessments to enable cost-effective use of limited funds for safe and quality health technologies

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DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall supervision Director Programme Management and direct supervision of Director, Department of UHC/Health Systems, the incumbent will support activities in the following areas:

  1. Support development of national policies on improving access to essential diagnostics and medical devices and associated system strengthening activities.
  2. Strengthen systems and capacities related to development of essential diagnostic / devices list for different levels of health care, procurement, and maintenance management to ensure appropriate performance.
  3. Conduct review of common procurement/ maintenance management practices to identify good practices and new innovative strategies for access to, essential diagnostics and medical devices.
  4. Provide technical support for national capacity development, training on medical devices and diagnostics in South-East Asian countries.
  5. Strengthening national systems and capacities for health interventions and technology assessments to enable utilization of cost effective, safe and quality health technologies in public funded programmes
  6. Support online and face to face regional and national consultations with relevant stakeholders, including preparation of necessary documentation, meetings and related activities.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION

Essential: Post graduate degree in biomedical engineering, laboratory devices or other related scientific technology fields.
Desirable: Doctorate degree in biomedical engineering, health technology management, health technology assessment, regulation of medical devices and /or diagnostics orother related fields.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least seven years relevant work experience, in management of medical devices and diagnostics/medical technology, biomedical engineering field some of which should have been obtained in the international context.
Desirable: Work experience in management/ maintenance of medical devices and diagnostics, health technology assessment at Ministries of Health, Health Research, national reference laboratories, national organizations and/or international NGOs, UN organizations or WHO.

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SKILLS

Proven capacity in networking sensitively, cooperatively and productively withmultiple stakeholders. Proficient in use of word processing, publishing (including web publishing), spreadsheet and project planning software.

WHO COMPETENCIES

– Teamwork
– Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
– Communication
– Producing results
– Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

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 77,326 (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 2990 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 that 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 Manual.
  • Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
  • 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 staff. 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 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 final candidates.
  • Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
  • 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 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
  • 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.
  • WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
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