Technical Officer, Essential Medicines, Brazzaville, Congo

## Technical Officer, Essential Medicines, Brazzaville, Congo - Organization:WHO - World Health Organization - Office:WHO Brazzaville, Congo Technical Officer, Essential Medicines Contractual Arrangement : Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4 Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 12 Months Job Posting: Sep 30, 2026, 12:12:24 PM The overall objective of the MDI Programme is to support Member States in the WHO African Region to improve the availability of, and equitable access to, quality-assured and affordable medicines, health products, and health technologies, health infrastructure and equipment towards the attainment of Universal Health Coverage. The Programme achieves this by developing implementing, and monitoring evidence-based policies, strategies and plans[1]to ensure sustainable access by Member States to essential health products, technologies, health infrastructure and diagnostics, prioritizing cost-effective best practices. It strengthens the capacity of Member States, through guidance and specialized technical assistance, to: (i) strengthen regulatory systems for quality-assured medicines and other health technologies, blood safety and organ transplant services, products, health infrastructure and diagnostics, including market surveillance for quality, safety and performance; (ii) In collaboration with concerned units, conduct coordinated researching line with public health priorities for the improvement of access to health technologies, including efficient management of intellectual property rights; and (iii) address non-communicable diseases and antimicrobial resistance by strengthening surveillance systems, laboratory capacity, infection prevention and control, awareness raising and evidence-based policies and practices in collaboration with the NCD team, disease control programmes, and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Unit. The Programme also advocates and strengthens partnerships for increased resource mobilization, investments and coordinated support for actions towards improved access to medicines and other health technologies, blood safety and organ transplant services, health infrastructure and medical equipment, including enhancing regional and sub-regional mechanisms and structures such as the African Medicines Agency. The goal is to enable countries in the WHO African Region to ensure evidence-based policies and strategies are in place to achieve universal access to high-quality, integrated, health services, increase the coverage and quality of effective interventions, and to create mechanisms to measure the impact of those strategies and interventions. DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES The incumbent will perform the following duties:-Provide technical guidance for WHO's work on access to essential medicines and health products in the African region, with a focus on NCDs; Guide countries, Regional Economic Communities (REC) and other sub-regional organizations to generate reliable information on R&D, Selection, Pricing, Financing, Procurement and Supply management, Quality Assurance and Use of essential medicines as well as trends in their availability and affordability; Coordinate the related platforms, support countries, RECs, and other sub-regional organizations in implementing joint activities, including pooled procurement initiatives, harmonization of pharmaceutical practices, and local manufacturing; Define and coordinate implementation of WHO essential packages to support capacity building and transformation of pharmaceutical systems for the universal access to essential medicines in the WHO African region, in line with WHO resolutions and plans; Provide technical support to countries for planning, implementing, and monitoring of national strategies and plans for essential medicines and health products; Promote communication and partnerships within WHO and externally with national and sub regional officials, organizations, institutions, agencies, and other stakeholders, including representatives of multi- and bilateral agencies and sub-regional organizations involved in access to quality assured, essential medicines, and health products; Technically support networks, harmonization initiatives and convergence of pharmaceutical practices at sub regional and continental levels, including the African Medicines Regulatory Harmonization initiative and the African medicines Agency; Identify, develop, and strengthen strategic partnerships, including resource mobilization and advocacy strategies, in close collaboration with countries and RECs;Promote donor coordination at country and regional levels, and provide advice and guidance to partners on advocacy strategies, work plans, and their implementation; Conduct ongoing monitoring and evaluation assessments and disseminate evidence-based results, supporting ethical and evidence-based policies and decision making; Collaborate with, and support countries in the development and implementation of best practices for he above; Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for management and other colleagues as required. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Essential: Degree in Pharmacy complemented by an advanced degree in Management of Medicines and Pharmaceutical Systems. Desirable: Advanced training in Health Management and Planning or in Public Health. Essential: A minimum of seven years' relevant experience in the field of essential medicines management, analysis, costing and procurement at the national and international levels, with five years' experience in resource-limited countries, complemented by experience in capacity building and/or advising national health authorities on essential medicines. Desirable: Experience in the development of procurement protocols and guidelines on essential medicines for health professionals. Demonstrate knowledge of policies, strategies, guidelines and protocols on essential medicines, development, and management of lists of essential medicines based on WHO definitions and standards, complemented by skills in identifying clinical and pharmaceutical best practices, especially in the area of NCDs; Sound knowledge and experience in the analysis and management of medicines and medical products procurement, storage and distribution systems, the development and implementation of appropriate norms and standards, as well as participation documented participation in resource mobilization and advocacy activities; Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to write scientific documents in a clear and concise manner and ability to provide technical advice and guidance taking into consideration the views of multiple stakeholders and partners; Proven interpersonal skills with ability to promote consensus, communicate progress and results, and resolve issues in a proactive manner, while ensuring effective work practices and ethics; diplomacy, tact, and courtesy. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Driving the Organization's Position in Health Leadership Use of Language Skills Essential: Intermediate knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of French. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese. The above language requirements are interchangeable. 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 86,027 (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 3255 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 separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according t