Technical Specialist

at  UNICEF

Job no: 574859
Contract type: Temporary Appointment
Duty Station: Copenhagen
Level: P-3
Location: Denmark
Categories: Health and Nutrition
UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children’s lives, defend their rights, and help them fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.
At UNICEF, we are committed, passionate, and proud of what we do. Promoting the rights of every child is not just a job – it is a calling.
UNICEF is a place where careers are built: we offer our staff diverse opportunities for personal and professional development that will help them develop a fulfilling career while delivering on a rewarding mission. We pride ourselves on a culture that helps staff thrive, coupled with an attractive compensation and benefits package.
Visit our website to learn more about what we do at UNICEF.
For every child, Essential Medicines

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education:
Advanced university degree in Pharmacy or related technical field. A Bachelor’s degree in pharmacy with Master’s degree in a field relevant to global health, such as, Masters in regulatory science, Pharmaceutics, Pharmaceutical formulations

Work Experience:

• Minimum five years of progressively responsible professional work experience relevant to medicines and nutrition products. This should include product dossier assessments for procurement or regulatory registration.

• Experience related to global health such as public health would be an added asset.

  Technical Expertise:

• Ability to evaluate technical information such as Stability studies, Comparative dissolution, analytical methods, Certificates of analysis, manufacturing processes and process validation, Manufacturing quality control measures, and product usability.

• Good understanding of International Council for Harmonization (ICH) quality guidelines http://www.ich.org/products/guidelines/quality/article/quality-guidelines.html
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications, in particular, Excel.

STRATEGIC OFFICE CONTEXT AND PURPOSE FOR THE JOB

The fundamental mission of UNICEF is to promote the rights of every child, everywhere, in everything the organization does — in programs, in advocacy and in operations. The equity strategy, emphasizing the most disadvantaged and excluded children and families, translates this commitment to children’s rights into action. For UNICEF, equity means that all children have an opportunity to survive, develop and reach their full potential, without discrimination, bias or favoritism. To the degree that any child has an unequal chance in life — in its social, political, economic, civic and cultural dimensions — her or his rights are violated. There is growing evidence that investing in the health, education and protection of a society’s most disadvantaged citizens — addressing inequity — not only will give all children the opportunity to fulfill their potential but also will lead to sustained growth and stability of countries. This is why the focus on equity is so vital. It accelerates progress towards realizing the human rights of all children, which is the universal mandate of UNICEF, as outlined by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, while also supporting the equitable development of nations.

THE PURPOSE FOR THE JOB

The Medicines and Nutrition Centre (MNC) is part of Supply Division and is responsible for sourcing and procurement of medicines and nutrition supplies globally for UNICEF. The position will be in the Medicines Technical Unit and will be responsible for the development of product specifications, technical requirements, active sourcing, and technical dossier evaluations for complex and challenging portfolio of medicines.
Under the direct supervision of the Technical Manager and dotted reporting line to the Technical Specialist, Pharma Technical Unit, the incumbent will support MNC to ensure beneficiaries access quality, safe and efficacious medicines.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop technical specifications for the products identified, taking into consideration UNICEF quality standards and context of use.
• Perform technical dossier and sample assessment in line with UNICEF quality standards and requirements, in collaboration with Quality Assurance Center.
• Prepare technical guidance documents as needed.
• Ensures that product complaints are handled in collaboration with Quality Assurance Centre in line with Division Quality Control Procedures
• Review technical cards if necessary.
• Conduct market research, and provide analyses, background information, and recommendations for improving the suitability and range of products.
• Apply active sourcing methods and tools to scope the market for products with market challenges.
• Prepare technical aspects of tender documents.
• Perform any other duties or assignments as requested by the supervisor.