Medicines and Local Production Officer

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 more than 7,000 employees worldwide, working towards achieving health equity and improving health outcomes globally. WHO collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, NGOs, and the private sector, to implement health programs and policies.

Job Overview:
The Medicines and Local Production Officer will play a crucial role in supporting the development and implementation of national strategies and roadmaps aimed at enhancing local production of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, and other health technologies. This position requires providing technical assistance to government institutions to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystems and improve access to quality-assured health products. The officer will also support the implementation of WHO strategies and regional frameworks focused on local production and the strengthening of pharmaceutical systems. The role involves engaging with various stakeholders, including government, industry, academia, and development partners, to facilitate technical consultations and policy dialogues. The officer will be responsible for assessing and mapping pharmaceutical manufacturing capacities, analyzing evidence to inform policy decisions, and preparing technical reports and strategic planning documents. Monitoring and reporting on the progress of local production initiatives will also be a key responsibility, along with organizing workshops and capacity-building activities.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The key duties and responsibilities of the Medicines and Local Production Officer include:

• Supporting the development and implementation of national strategies for local production of health technologies.
• Providing technical assistance to government institutions to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystems.
• Supporting the implementation of WHO strategies and regional frameworks on local production.
• Assisting SAHPRA and stakeholders in regulatory systems strengthening.
• Convening and facilitating technical consultations and stakeholder engagements.
• Supporting assessments of pharmaceutical manufacturing capacities and market access barriers.
• Analyzing evidence to inform policy decisions and strategic investments.
• Preparing technical reports, policy briefs, and strategic planning documents.
• Monitoring and reporting on local production initiatives and documenting best practices. 1
• Organizing workshops and capacity-building activities. 1
• Performing any other duties assigned by the supervisor in support of WHO program priorities.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications for the position include:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in relevant fields such as Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Public Health, or related areas.
• Registration as a Pharmacist with the South African Pharmacy Council is desirable.
• Additional training in regulatory affairs, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or public health is advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical systems and medicines policy is essential.
• Understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes and regulatory systems is required.
• Ability to analyze complex technical information and translate it into policy recommendations is necessary.
• Strong report-writing, analytical, and stakeholder engagement skills are essential.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Industrial Pharmacy, Public Health, Health Economics, Regulatory Sciences, Pharmaceutical Policy, Health Systems, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or a related field. Registration as a Pharmacist with the South African Pharmacy Council is desirable, along with additional training in relevant areas such as regulatory affairs or quality assurance.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in pharmaceutical systems, medicines regulation, or related fields. Experience working with government institutions, regulatory authorities, and international organizations is essential. Desirable experience includes working with WHO or other UN agencies, supporting regulatory systems strengthening, and involvement in policy development and program implementation.

Languages:
Excellent written and spoken English is required for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The position is based at the WHO South Africa Country Office in Pretoria and requires full-time commitment. The consultant will be expected to undertake duty travel within South Africa and internationally as authorized. The monthly remuneration is approximately ZAR 74,852, in accordance with WHO South Africa SSA NOB rates. The assignment is subject to satisfactory performance and compliance with WHO policies. All outputs developed during the assignment will remain the property of WHO, and the consultant must adhere to strict confidentiality and ethical standards.