Team Lead (Regulatory Systems Strengthening)

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME The Health Systems, Access and Data (HSD) division is focused on supporting the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC) goals and health SDG and GPW14targets, through equitable and resilient health systems that benefit everyone,everywhere. It provides and enables health systems leadership, global public goods, and differentiated country support that are quality-assured, innovative,and sustainable, in service of all Member States.The strategic objective of the Team is to build regulatory capacity in Member States consistent with good regulatory practices to ensure access to safe, effective and quality assured medical products by developing and maintaining the policy, methodology and tools required for benchmarking (assessment) of national and regional regulatory systems to document strengths and areas for improvement as well as promoting regulatory co-operation, convergence, harmonization, networking and reliance.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Provides technical leadership and managerial support within the Department/Programme, in the area of Regulatory Systems Strengthening, regulatory cooperation, convergence, harmonization, networking and reliance ensuring that activities in this area are carried out efficiently and effectively.
2. Develops and proposes technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provides advice in developing further the Regulatory Systems Strengthening for strengthening and improving technical capacity of target clienteles.
3. Manages the programme area in delivering its objectives through efficient managing a small team of technical staff, financial resources and effective work planning to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
4. Leads and conducts research on best practices in implementing programmes and activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
5. Manages the monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the subject area of work of key performance indicators and reporting requirements and mechanisms to optimize performance of Programme deliverables.
6. Serves as the technical reference among the peer community, UN Agencies and other stakeholders at the technical levels in the respective area of expertise.
7. Liaises with and utilizes partnerships in other UN Agencies, Donor, or research institutions in the Regulatory Systems Strengthening to position the technical area of work and implementation into Global and/or National policies.
8. Represent the programme area of work at various meetings to advocate for regulatory systems strengthening and building regulatory capacity. Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Specific duties

1. Coordinates global strategies for the strengthening of national regulatory systems through providing leadership in planning, coordination and undertaking benchmarking of national regulatory authorities (NRAs) to document the maturity status of regulatory systems using the WHO global benchmarking tool (GBT), according to defined priorities.
2. Provides leadership in development and maintenance of WHO Listed Authorities (WLA) Framework and Coalition of Interested Parties (CIP) in collaboration with other teams within the Regulation and Safety Unit and the Department of Regulation and Prequalification (RPQ) as well as with Regional and Country Offices.
3. Coordinates and endorses responses to country requests for benchmarking of national regulatory systems and proposes appropriate capacity building and specialized technical support activities to address identified gaps, including technical seminars, workshops and country/regional training courses; and promotes awareness of and support for the work of Regulatory Systems Strengthening through advocacy, communication and resource mobilization activities.
4. Monitors the impact of WHO policies and strategies through regulatory intelligence systems and proposes changes or new initiatives to address needs, including development and continual improvement of the WHO global benchmarking tool, policy, procedures, IT platforms and databases.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: 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.
Desirable: A university degree in another of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential:

• A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in the management of the regulation of medical products as well as in regulatory cooperation, convergence, harmonization, reliance and work-sharing initiatives at the regional or international level.
• Relevant experience working with low- middle-income countries, including experience in the development of health and regulatory policies and strategies.
• Demonstrated experience managing human and financial resources.
• Demonstrated experience at the international level.

Desirable:

• Experience in leading or coordinating audits/benchmarking of regulatory systems.
• Experience in working with WHO guidelines and other internationally recognized technical standards and norms.
• Familiarity with WHO regulatory strengthening as well as regional and international regulatory harmonization,networking and convergence and/or WHO Prequalification programmes.

Skills

• Concrete skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health programmes, which may include the implementation of a public health/disease control programmes.
• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing polices and strategies.
• Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.
• Good skills in mobilizing resources.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, Donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders.
• Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.
• Expertise in the regulation of medical products and good understanding of WHO's policies and strategies in this area.
• Ability to work with experts and networks at national, regional and international levels.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 103,165 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 7,798 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members who have been separated as a result of the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will be given special consideration.
• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
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• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
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• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
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