SSA - National Consultant - EDM_WCO-SRL

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Objectives of the Contract

.Achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) requires that all people have equitable access to safe, effective, quality‑assured and affordable essential medicines, vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices, and health technologies without financial hardship. A strong regulatory system, evidence‑based selection of essential medicines, robust quality assurance mechanisms, efficient use of health technologies, and well‑functioning supply and governance structures are fundamental components of a resilient health system.

Sri Lanka’s health system is currently implementing several nationally significant initiatives to strengthen the regulatory environment, update clinical and technology standards, improve essential medicines selection and use, and prevent entry of substandard and falsified medical products. These activities are central to ensuring quality of care, improving patient safety, and accelerating progress towards UHC.

WHO Sri Lanka provides technical assistance to national institutions including the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), National Medicines Quality Assurance Laboratory (NMQAL), Medical Supplies Division (MSD), Directorate of Medical Technology & Supplies (MT&S), Biomedical Engineering Services (BME), and other relevant directorates in the Ministry of Health. Strengthening these pillars will help the country safeguard quality, enhance regulatory performance, and promote the rational and equitable use of medicines and technologies.

The National Consultant will support to coordinate, and monitor these strategic efforts, ensuring high‑quality implementation across the access‑to‑medicines and medicines-regulation portfolio.

Job Description

Under the general supervision of the WHO Representative to Sri Lanka, the incumbent will work to:

• To coordinate and facilitate the implementation of activities related to improving access to medicines, updating of essential medicines lists, revision of national formularies, and strengthening supply chain management.
• To support the institutional strengthening of medicines regulation and quality assurance through NMRA, NMQAL, and other regulatory structures, enabling improved oversight of medical products and prevention of substandard and falsified products.
• To support the strengthening of the medical equipment landscape in the country including development of standard technical specifications, establishment of medical equipment information system and capacity development of Biomedical Engineers/Technicians.
• To coordinate among different divisions of the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders for effective implementation of WHO work plan activities related to above areas.
• Facilitate consultations, technical meetings, and trainings, and develop communication and visibility products aligned with WHO standards.
• Provide any additional support required in the area of health systems strengthening, as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications

Education:

Essential: First university degree (bachelor’s degree) in the area of medicine/ health/ public health.

Desirable:

Advanced university degree (master’s degree or equivalent) in the area of health/ public health or a related area.

Experience:

Essential: At least one (1) year of relevant work experience in the area of essential drugs and medicines/ health systems strengthening.

Desirable:

Experience in working with the Government Sector and or UN/ International Organizations.

Language Skills:

Expert knowledge of English and expert knowledge of a local language (Sinhala or Tamil)

Skills:

· Advanced skills in the use of office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.) and database management.

Competencies:

• · Teamwork

· Communication

· Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

· Producing Results.

Annual Salary & others Benefits

Others Benefits

WHO Offers locally competitive packages such as:

• · Health Insurance - Accident and illness insurance through CIGNA Insurance

· Annual Leave – 2.5 days per month

· Sick leave (7 days per year)

• WHO Holidays

NOTE:

1) Qualified Candidates will be evaluated and interviewed.

2) We regret that due to large volume of applications normally received, applications cannot be acknowledged individually.

3) This is vacancy is open to Sri Lankan Nationals (all genders). Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply

4) This Vacancy Notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade/level

."WHO is committed to workforce diversity". “Any attempt to unduly influence WHO’s selection process will lead to automatic disqualification of the applicant

WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or other tobacco users