Technical Lead for Regulatory Systems Strengthening

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 operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO aims to achieve universal health coverage, address health emergencies, and promote healthier populations through various programs and initiatives.

Job Overview:
The position of Technical Lead for Regulatory Systems Strengthening within the Health Systems, Access and Data (HSD) division is pivotal in supporting the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC) and health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The role involves providing technical leadership and managerial support in the area of regulatory systems strengthening, ensuring that activities are carried out efficiently and effectively. The incumbent will develop and propose technical health policies and strategies, manage a small team, and oversee the delivery of program objectives. This includes conducting research on best practices, managing monitoring and evaluation processes, and liaising with various stakeholders to advocate for regulatory systems strengthening. The position requires a strong commitment to building regulatory capacity in Member States and promoting regulatory cooperation and harmonization.

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

• Providing technical leadership and managerial support within the Department/Programme in the area of Regulatory Systems Strengthening.
• Developing and proposing technical health policies and strategies for implementation in collaboration with Regional and Country Offices.
• Managing the program area to deliver objectives efficiently, including overseeing a small team and financial resources.
• Leading research on best practices and disseminating information for capacity building.
• Monitoring and evaluating key performance indicators and reporting requirements.
• Serving as a technical reference among peers, UN Agencies, and stakeholders.
• Coordinating global strategies for strengthening national regulatory systems, including benchmarking national regulatory authorities.
• Endorsing responses to country requests for benchmarking and proposing capacity building activities.
• Monitoring the impact of WHO policies and proposing changes or new initiatives as needed.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for this position include:

• An advanced level university degree (master's level) in medicine, pharmacy, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, or health science related to the functions of the position.
• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the management of the regulation of medical products and regulatory cooperation at the regional or international level.
• Relevant experience working with low- and middle-income countries, including the development of health and regulatory policies.
• Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources and at the international level.
• Familiarity with WHO guidelines and internationally recognized technical standards is desirable.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced level university degree (master's level) in a relevant field such as medicine, pharmacy, biology, biochemistry, chemistry, microbiology, or health science. A university degree in another related field is also desirable, indicating a broad understanding of the health sciences relevant to the position.

Experience:
Candidates should have a minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the management of the regulation of medical products, including regulatory cooperation, convergence, harmonization, and reliance initiatives at the regional or international level. Experience working with low- and middle-income countries and in developing health and regulatory policies is essential. Demonstrated experience in managing human and financial resources is also required, along with experience at the international level.

Languages:
Essential: Expert knowledge of English is required for this position. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French is preferred, as it may facilitate communication with French-speaking stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a competitive remuneration package, with an annual base salary starting at USD 103,165, subject to mandatory deductions. Additional benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children. The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and candidates will undergo background verification. Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO, and candidates may be assigned to any duty station worldwide. The successful candidate will be required to confirm vaccination status as per WHO requirements.