Technical Officer, Medical Devices

Job Description - Technical Officer, Medical Devices (2405515)

Technical Officer, Medical Devices - (2405515)

Grade: P4

Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 1 year

: Jul 19, 2024, 3:46:22 PM

: Aug 9, 2024, 9:59:00 PM

: Switzerland-Geneva

: HQ/MHP Access to Medicines and Health Products

: Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Regulation and Prequalification Department (RPQ) works with Member States and partners to improve the access to essential medicines and other health technologies of assured quality, safety and efficacy or effectiveness. RPQ works within the Access to Medicines and Health Products Division (MHP) division departments in the wider framework of Universal Health Coverage and cooperates with disease-oriented programmes (among others HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, reproductive health, maternal and child health, immunization, NCDs and mental health) towards the Sustainable Development Goals. The department works with a wide range of UN organizations, international partners and expert networks, and WHO Collaborating Centres. The prequalification of priority MDs and PPE is a standardized assessment procedure of WHO to evaluate the acceptability of MDs and PPE to be purchased by WHO Member States, UN procurement agencies and other NGOs or donors so that they are assured of their quality, safety, performance and suitability for use in LMIC. The aim of the WHO prequalification of priority MDs and PPEs program is to promote and facilitate access to safe, appropriate products of good quality. The PQ program aims to develop a systematic approach to assess technical specifications, regulatory aspects and certifications, quality management system, accessories and consumables, packaging, legal and environmental requirement, installation and commissioning, product safety and post-market surveillance of existing and new products (MDs and PPEs). The program will also help to prequalify MDs and PPEs for other emergency situations and priority diseases.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the general supervision of the PQT Unit Head, the Technical officer shall:

Generic duties

• Develop and propose innovative technical health policies and strategies for implementation through collaboration with Regional and Country Offices and provides advice in developing further the prequalification of priority medical devices (MDs) and personal protective equipment (PPE) for strengthening and improving technical capacity of target clienteles.
• Manage the subunit area of work in delivering its objectives through efficient managing a small team of technical staff, to optimize the programme's deliverables in line with the mandate of the Organization.
• Develop and monitor work plans and budgets for the team's activities and follow up on the implementation of planned activities.
• Analyze data and information on best practices in implementing sustainable public health programmes and disseminates information.
• Manage research activities and the implementation of the subunit's activities and dissemination of information for capacity building in the respective area of work.
• Conduct monitoring and evaluation of the specific field of work and conduct timely reporting for decision makers.
• Provide technical guidance and work closely with counterparts in technical departments across the Organization and liaise with counterparts in partner UN Agencies, Donors and other stakeholders to harmonize recommendations on policies and strategies related to Public health and the facilitation of successful implementation of national and/or global health programmes.
• Upon delegation represent WHO at various meetings.
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

Specific duties(Two or three Specific duties could be added if required for the specific assignment in a specific region)

• Coordinate the establishment and implementation of the process for prequalification of priority medical devices (including software as medical device and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Develop technical evaluation specifications and protocols for the independent performance evaluation of products (MDs and PPE).
• Manage the invitation of expression of interests and the assessment of priority medical devices (MDs) and personal protective equipment (PPE):

a.Identify and coordinate with 3rd part laboratories (e.g., FIND for the pre-screening of CAD for TB software) in the performance evaluation of priority MDs and PPE.

b.Establish a panel of experts with the required skills and experience to support the evaluation of products (MDs and PPE).

c.Convene the expert panel to undertake product assessments.

d.Prepare final assessment reports detailing the expert panel evaluations of the product applications against the technical specifications.

e.Prepare communication with applicants on the outcomes of assessments.

f.Report to Unit Head, on the QMS performance of the process for PQ of priority MDs and PPE and where improvements are needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• Advanced level university degree (Master's) in biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering specialized in medical devices (MDs), or other related scientific field from a recognized University.

Desirable:

• Certified clinical or biomedical engineering.
• Training in Quality Management Systems ISO13485 or any other quality assurance systems for medical devices or PPE.

Experience

Essential:

At least seven (07) years of relevant experience in any one or a combination of the following:

• Assessment or regulation of a broad range of medical devices,
• High level management in the Medical Devices Industry, in production, quality control or quality assurance of medical devices (MDs) or personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Experience in specialized medical technology, biomedical field, clinical laboratories, in vitro diagnostic tests or clinical practice.

Desirable:

• Experience with WHO-PQT procedures and working with regulatory authorities in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) will be an added advantage.
• Experience in procurement or quality assurance of medical devices, preferably all types of hospital medical devices.
• Experience in project management.

Skills

• Substantial knowledge of medical devices (MDs) and personal protective equipment (PPE), especially in aspects of the regulation/assessment, organization, management and administration of medical devices (MDs) and personal protective equipment (PPE); ability to coordinate multi-sectoral projects, and excellent interpersonal negotiating and consultative skills.
• Sound skills in the management of public health programmes, which may include the implementation of public health/disease control programmes.
• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing policies and strategies
• Excellent skills and ability in managing diverse teams and financial resources.
• Good skills in mobilizing resources.
• Ability to engage 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.
• Knowledge of the science which supports the assessment of manufacture, quality, safe use and performance of medical devices (MDs) and personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Knowledge and experience of regulatory approaches required to ensure that the health product evaluation is relevant to the use of the product.
• Leadership, attention to detail, communication, time management, teamwork, Program development, enhancement and implementation

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of French.
• Intermediate knowledge of other UN languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian or Spanish).

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 77,326 (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 5703 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

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 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 E-Manual.

The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce . 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.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.

WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.

WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int

Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service.

Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the Professional category with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click this link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates