Consultant for Development of National Policies for Essential Diagnostics

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization has over 7,000 employees and operates in more than 150 countries, working to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health. WHO's initiatives include addressing health emergencies, improving access to essential health services, and promoting health equity across the globe.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the development of national policies for essential diagnostics and assisting with the profiling of health products, including vaccines and in-vitro diagnostics, in the Member States of the WHO Western Pacific Region. This position is vital for ensuring that countries have access to quality diagnostics, which is essential for advancing universal health coverage and addressing health emergencies. The consultant will work closely with the Emergency Medical Team (EMT) to deliver outputs that include the development of pharmaceutical sector profiles, national policies, and maintaining partnerships with development donors and technical partners. The consultant will also be responsible for submitting technical reports and ensuring that key indicators for essential diagnostics are included in the profiles.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key outputs:

• Supporting the development of a pharmaceutical sector profile for Member States, focusing on essential diagnostics, which includes analyzing access to and regulation of vaccines and diagnostics, and updating profiles for selected Member States.
• Assisting in the development and/or update of national policies for essential diagnostics, including creating an essential diagnostics list for a Member State as a pilot.
• Maintaining partnerships with development donors and technical partners by drafting or reviewing concept notes and responding to requests related to country profiles and national policies.
• Submitting a technical report that includes a monthly report based on the agreed plan and a comprehensive report outlining the outputs achieved during the contract period.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a university degree in medicine, pharmacy, microbiology, life sciences, bioengineering, or any other health-related fields from a recognized university. An advanced degree in public health or relevant fields is desirable, along with additional training in data analysis, presentation, and management. Candidates must have at least 2 years of relevant experience in medical diagnostics in low- and middle-income countries, with a preference for those who have worked with WHO, UN agencies, or development partners for at least 2 years.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in a relevant health-related field such as medicine, pharmacy, microbiology, life sciences, or bioengineering. An advanced degree in public health or related fields is preferred, along with additional training in data analysis and management.

Experience:
The consultant should have a minimum of 2 years of relevant experience in medical diagnostics, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Experience working with WHO, UN agencies, or development partners is highly desirable, with at least 2 years in such roles being preferred.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration is expected to be a maximum of 11 months, from February to December 202

• The consultant will be based onsite at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) in Manila, Philippines, and may be required to travel to Member States as necessary. The remuneration for this position is set at USD 6,000 per month, with additional living expenses of USD 70 per day for onsite consultants who are internationally recruited. The WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. Candidates must adhere to the highest ethical standards and may be subject to background verification.