Technical Coordinator

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. With over 7,000 employees, WHO operates in more than 150 countries, working to combat diseases, improve health systems, and ensure access to essential health services. The organization emphasizes the importance of health equity and strives to ensure that everyone, everywhere can attain the highest possible level of health.

Job Overview:
The coordinator" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Technical Coordinator position is integral to the implementation of the Global Platform for Access to Childhood Cancer Medicines (GPACCM) and the Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) activities in Sri Lanka. The incumbent will work under the guidance of the WHO Representative to Sri Lanka and the direct supervision of the Team Lead for Disease Prevention and Control. This role involves close collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health (MoH), the Medical Supplies Division (MSD), the National Cancer Institute (Apeksha Hospital), UNICEF, and other relevant partners. The Technical Coordinator will provide essential technical coordination support, ensuring that the GPACCM and GICC initiatives are effectively implemented and monitored. The position requires a proactive approach to managing multiple tasks, preparing reports, and facilitating communication among stakeholders to enhance the delivery of childhood cancer medicines and services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Technical Coordinator include:

• Providing technical coordination support for the implementation of GPACCM and GICC activities in collaboration with national and international stakeholders.
• Supporting the functioning of the GPACCM and GICC national Working Groups by preparing meeting agendas, documenting minutes, tracking agreed actions, and producing technical and progress reports for submission to the Director General of Health Services.
• Assisting in the implementation and monitoring of the GPACCM Country Operational Plan and GICC projects, including tracking progress against agreed deliverables and timelines.
• Drafting, reviewing, and finalizing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) related to supply chain management and clinical use of childhood cancer medicines.
• Providing coordination support for training of staff, procurement, and supply management of medicines, including distribution planning and quality assurance.
• Facilitating coordination among MoH, MSD, NCI, NMRA, and UNICEF to ensure timely preparation and submission of regulatory approvals and clearance documentation for incoming medicines.
• Supporting forecasting and quantification of childhood cancer medicines by reviewing data and sharing validated information with WHO, UNICEF, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
• Participating in GPACCM and GICC global and country-level review meetings and preparing technical updates, briefing notes, and presentations as required.
• Preparing and submitting detailed monthly and quarterly progress reports in accordance with the approved workplan and agreed deliverables. 1
• Undertaking other related tasks as agreed with WHO, including travel, in line with the Terms of Reference (TOR).

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the Technical Coordinator position include:

• Education: A university degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, or a related health sciences field is essential. Postgraduate training or certification in Public Health, Pharmacy, Supply Chain Management, or a related area is desirable.
• Experience: At least one year of relevant professional experience in public health, clinical services, pharmaceuticals, or medicines management is essential. This experience can be obtained through employment, internships, or supervised professional practice. Exposure to work in a hospital or public health program setting is desirable, as is experience supporting projects, coordination activities, or supply chain-related work.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a university degree in Medicine, Pharmacy, Public Health, or a related health sciences field. A postgraduate qualification or certification in relevant areas such as Public Health, Pharmacy, or Supply Chain Management is considered an asset and enhances the candidate's profile for this position.

Experience:
The position requires at least one year of relevant professional experience in fields such as public health, clinical services, pharmaceuticals, or medicines management. This experience can be gained through various avenues, including employment, internships, or supervised professional practice. Candidates with exposure to hospital settings or public health programs will be viewed favorably, as will those who have experience in project support, coordination activities, or supply chain management.

Languages:
Essential language skills for this position include expert knowledge of English and a local language, either Sinhala or Tamil. A working knowledge of Tamil is considered desirable, as it may enhance communication with diverse stakeholders and facilitate better coordination in the local context.

Additional Notes:
The Technical Coordinator position is open to Sri Lankan Nationals of all genders, with a particular encouragement for qualified female candidates to apply. The role offers a locally competitive salary package, including health insurance through CIGNA, annual leave of 2.5 days per month, and sick leave of 7 days per year. The WHO emphasizes a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or other tobacco users. Candidates must adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards, and any attempt to unduly influence the selection process will lead to automatic disqualification. Additionally, WHO has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct.