OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) assists countries in the Region with the design and implementation of appropriate health policies and systems to strengthen universal health coverage. It works to strengthen data-driven, evidence-informed, contextually tailored health policy development and implementation at national, regional and local levels, taking an inclusive approach across the life course. The Division advocates strengthening of public health leadership, focusing on implementing policies that are people centred, promote health, prevent illness, and address the social and economic determinants of health, while fostering leadership on equity, human rights and gender mainstreaming in health. It focuses on building capacity for health systems innovation to enable the sustainable delivery of high-quality primary health and community services that are effectively linked to hospitals, and mental health, public health, and social care services. To do so, CPS supports country efforts to facilitate access to leave nobody behind, to improve financial protection, to strengthen the health workforce, to increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology. The Access to Medicines and Health Products (AMP) unit l works to provide strategic direction, technical assistance and tailored support to countries to improve access to quality medicines and health products in a manner that is reliable, affordable and sustainable for health systems across the European Region. This includes supporting work towards a new social contract through which patients, health systems and governments can attain affordable pharmaceuticals that meet their needs, whilst investors and the pharmaceutical industry are incentivized. It engages with stakeholders within the FENSA process and the spirit of partnership through the WHO convening responsibility, as well as accelerating the implementation of resolution WHA 72.8 on improving market transparency. The unit develops country capacity to tackle vulnerabilities in regulatory, production, procurement, and supply chains, with a focus on sub-standard and falsified medicines and health products. It works cross programmatically to improve financial protection by addressing out of pocket payment and high pricing for medicines as well as to improve governance of the whole medicines management system.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will provide technical and operational support to countries to develop and strengthen their systems for medicines and health products. Specific focus will be on support to the countries in relation to the development and operational management of fair, effective and transparent pricing and reimbursement systems and other tools to shape markets to enable access in the context of universal health coverage. S/he will build capacity at country level in the area of, pricing and reimbursement strategies, and health technology assessment (HTA) and medicines selection. The post holder will provide support to country networks to build and share expertise to improve access to essential medicines at affordable prices. The incumbent will support countries to implement principles of transparency in their pharmaceutical policies, build capacity for effective price negotiation and reimbursement policies, and manage risk-sharing arrangements and consideration son intellectual property rights. Key duties: Under the oversight of the Regional Adviser, AMP, the incumbent will assume the following core responsibilities and achieve the stated tasks: Provide expert technical advice to countries, particularly on improving access to novel high-cost medicines, but also on analysing medicines and health product sector problems, identification of relevant areas for further development and setting of priorities; provide technical input in the implementation of pharmaceutical sectorreform as relevant and necessary, within the wider UHC framework Build technical capacity at country level for price regulation and generic policies and Health Technology Assessment(HTA) and the development of benefit packages, as well as for developing and monitoring agreements where conditional pricing and reimbursement arrangements are in place. This includes the provision of expert technical advice in the development and operation of multi-country networks on pricing and reimbursement of medicines and health products, as well as the preparation of relevant consultations, meetings, frameworks, and policies. Support the further development of the WHO Access to Novel Medicines Platform and the Medicines Pricing and Reimbursement, networks; and ensure that their development and technical agenda is both fully informed by the needs of Member States and aligned with the work of WHO/EURO, other WHO Regional Offices and WHO/HQ. Within the context of this work, provide support to the technical working groups and collaboration mechanisms with the Platform partners (including the European Commission, OECD, International Horizon Scanning Initiative, the Observatory and WHO Collaborating Centres) and support the development of related working groups. Support the preparation and delivery of policy dialogues on drug pricing and reimbursement. Support member states in addressing medicine shortage. Perform other duties within the scope of the work assigned as requested by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master’s level) in health policy, planning and financing, medical sciences, or pharmaceutical sciences, or public health, or health economics
Desirable: Additional university degree in economics or health economics.

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of professional experience in a medicines pricing and reimbursement / HTA public organization, with at least 3 of them at international level.
Desirable: Relevant experience within WHO, the United Nations or other international organizations.

Skills

1. Solid theoretical and applied knowledge of key essential medicines and health products related issues at the national, regional, or global levels.
2. Proven ability to critically review and provide authoritative advice on relevant subject matters including on selection and use of medical products, particularly on novel products.
3. Demonstrated knowledge and skills in development/implementation of pharmaceutical policy and regulation in national and preferably international settings.
4. Knowledge of political systems, social and health systems and culture in the European countries.
5. In-depth theoretical and applied knowledge of health technology assessment, health economics, pricing and reimbursement systems and intellectual property right legislation.
6. Demonstrated ability to manage abroad group of stakeholders.
7. Full proficiency in Microsoft 365Office package Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others do the same.
8. Ability to work comfortably in a fast-paced environment.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian, and German.

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 5348 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.

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• 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

[email protected]

• 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.

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