The Position:
The Technical Specialist is responsible for the support of development and implementation of the UNFPA Quality Assurance (QA) Framework for RH (Reproductive Health) commodities including humanitarian supplies. The Technical Specialist will also support the creation/revision of RH commodity technical specifications, manage and perform technical evaluations of bid submissions, and manage product changes/variations. The Technical Specialist will support Country Offices and other business units to ensure all RH commodities and components of IARH (Inter Agency Reproductive Health) and dignity kits in the UNFPA catalog are relevant to UNFPA programmes and meet internationally acceptable quality standards.
You will report directly to the Procurement/Supply Coordinator (P4).
How you can make a difference:
UNFPA occupies a unique position in the Reproductive Health Commodity ecosystem as a critical player in supply chain management, a leading public procurer of reproductive health commodities, a trusted partner to national governments, and one of the few organizations with the scale and partnerships necessary to build accountability for last mile delivery.
The Supply Chain Management Unit (SCMU), which will be operational from January 2022, ensures that UNFPA is able to effectively and efficiently support the delivery of life-saving reproductive health products and other programme supplies to the end user when and where they are needed. To do so, it provides enabling services to Regional Offices and Country Offices and ensures coordination, end-to-end visibility and accountability on all supply-chain-management related activities, in particular for programme supplies, across all UNFPA Programmes.
Job Purpose:
You will assist in the development and maintenance of a sound and robust quality assurance system by focusing on technical work related mainly to Reproductive Health (RH) commodities such as in vitro diagnostics, medical devices, medical equipment, components of Dignity Kits, components of IARH kits, condoms, intra-uterine devices and lubricants. Working in a global environment at UNFPA Headquarters undertake technical evaluation of bid submissions and take part in continuous quality compliance monitoring of pharmaceuticals, other RH commodities, and humanitarian supplies.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
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Duties and Responsibilities:
- Support the development and implementation of the QA framework and policies for the management of reproductive health commodities
- Manage technical evaluations of RH commodities and Humanitarian Supplies on a global setting;
- Manage the development of and develop specifications of all RH commodities for RFQ/ITB/RFPs on RH commodities based on existing documentation, international guidelines and standards (e.g. WHO, MDR, GHTF);
- Manage evaluations of suppliers for compliance with relevant WHO guidelines and ensure that no Substandard and Falsified RH products are approved for procurement;
- Liaise with UNFPA consultants in quality assurance of medical devices for quality assessments and training purposes;
- Manage a risk-based approach on technical evaluation and approval of products;
- Support the QA team in the monitoring of compliance of RH commodities and Humanitarian Supplies to the approved technical specifications during procurement;
- Support the management of the Expert Review Panel of RH medicines;
- Support the Procurement/Supply Coordinator in the development, implementation, monitoring and reporting for UNFPA’s Quality Assurance framework, policies and related tools;
- Support the development and updates to the Quality Assurance Manual and any others related documents (training materials, manuals, guidance materials) in collaboration with the relevant UNFPA units and in consultation with technical partners;
- Develop improvements on quality assurance of pharmaceuticals and other RH commodities such as condoms and IUDs;
- Maintain a UNFPA database of qualified suppliers and products eligible for tendering;
- Manage the product and supplier changes/variations and maintain the change register for each product and supplier; and
- Review and assess the procurement of RH commodities and consult the UNFPA Technical Division to ensure the UNFPA catalog includes commodities relevant to UNFPA programmes.
- Coordination of Technical Team activities
- Provides support to consultants who assist in QA of RH commodities and Humanitarian Supplies;
- Establishes relevant work plans and priorities, monitors achievements and evaluates performance; and
- Contribute to the recruitment processes for consultants and the maintenance of a roster of specialized consultants.
- Supports knowledge management, information sharing and partners’ relationships for quality assurance of health products
- Support the preparation of internal and external reports, including the annual reports;
- Facilitate the communication with other UNFPA business units, WHO, other UN agencies, the Global Fund, USAID, IPPF, MSI, PSI and others key actors for all technical matters related to quality assurance of RH commodities and humanitarian supplies;
- Support the Procurement/Supply Coordinator in representing UNFPA in relevant technical meetings with partners, working groups and works towards harmonization and updates of the QA policy related to specifications and norms for RH commodities and humanitarian supplies;
- Contribute to information sharing on quality of sources with other agencies/partners at the global, regional and local level;
- Participate in UNFPA and other relevant internal and external networks to promote the UNFPA QA Framework and its implementation in relevant forums (conferences, e-forum), and development and implementation of training plans; and
- Collaborate with different stakeholders (UN agencies, the RHSC (Reproductive Health Supply Coalition), other partner agencies, pharmaceuticals suppliers, manufacturers and technical experts) to advocate for the introduction of innovative and quality assured RH commodities and Humanitarian Supplies.
- Provides technical support to UNFPA Country Offices and Regional Offices on technical requirements of RH commodities
- Provide advice and guidance to UNFPA’s staff on issues related to the specifications and technical requirements of products and suppliers and provides recommendations where appropriate; and
- Support the logistical management for UNFPA staff training and coordination and logistical support for events where the Procurement/Supply Coordinator is representing UNFPA, trainings, knowledge products and technical updates.
- Support innovation in Product Quality Assurance
- Review and research new technologies to improve on technical specifications of pharmaceuticals and other RH commodities
- Contribute to the creation and sharing of knowledge in implementing innovative approaches to QA activities; an
- Development new ways of technical evaluation of pharmaceuticals and RH commodities.
Carry out any other duties as may be required by UNFPA leadership.
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Education:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in pharmacy, public health or related field with an undergraduate degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical engineering, Material Science, Medical Laboratory Science/Technology, Nursing, Biomedical Sciences
- Completion of relevant training, academic and/or professional certification in Quality Assurance of health products is an asset.
Knowledge and Experience:
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant professional experience in the area of regulation, quality control, quality assurance or production of pharmaceuticals/medical devices;
- Demonstrated technical knowledge of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, including WHO standards and guidelines, and International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF) and Global Harmonization Task force (GHTF) standards;
- Demonstrated knowledge of international markets (sources, certifications and controls) is an asset;
- Work experience with UN or an international organization is an asset;
- Work experience or support to developing countries;
- Experience in supervising staff is an asset;
- Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communications skills.
Languages:
Fluency in English is required; knowledge of other official UN languages, preferably French and/or Spanish, is desirable.
Values:
- Exemplifying integrity
- Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system
- Embracing diversity in all its forms
- Embracing change
Core Competencies:
- Achieving Results
- Being Accountable
- Developing and Applying Professional Expertise/Business Acumen
- Thinking analytically and Strategically
- Working in Teams/Managing Ourselves and our Relationships
- Communicating for Impact
Functional Competencies:
- Providing logistical support
- Managing documents, correspondence and reports
- Managing information and work flow
- Planning, organizing and multitasking
- Supporting financial data analysis
- Technical expertise
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UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, Embracing diversity in all its forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.
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This position offers an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the post. The package includes a competitive net salary plus annual leave, health insurance and other benefits.
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WARNING TO APPLICANTS:
UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web. Should you feel that you have received a fraudulent notice, letter or offer that makes use of the name or logo of UNFPA, you may submit a report through the UNFPA fraud hotline http://www.unfpa.org/help/hotline.cfm
HOW TO APPLY:
UNFPA has established an electronic application management system. This allows applicants to create a candidate profile, which can be updated regularly and submitted for more than one vacancy. Download the Step by Step Guide to Applying in the E-Recruit System of UNFPA at http://www.unfpa.org/employment. Please print out the Guide for your reference during the registration and application process.
NOTICE:
There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
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