Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS Ethiopia Multi-Country Office (ETMCO) exciting career opportunity.

UNOPS-ETMCO is recruiting for this position: Project Management Support Officer (Retainer) based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Qualified females and candidates from underrepresented groups in UNOPS are highly encouraged to apply.

Organizational Context

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner. 

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. 

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. 

A flexible structure and global reach means that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs, while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Ethiopia Multi-country office (ETMCO) sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Addis Ababa which manages a portfolio of engagements in four (4)  Horn of Africa countries  (Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan).  ETMCO focuses on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management, HR and Transactional Services, and Fund Management services across a wide range of sectors including Health, Education, Agriculture, Resilient infrastructure among others.  

Our goal is to support countries, help people in need and enable our partners through  delivering on our mandate of infrastructure, procurement and project management in the countries in the Horn of Africa.  Building on our global experience successfully delivering projects in complex operating environments, a healthy pipeline of engagements are at various stages of discussion with our priority partners.  

Project Background

UNOPS has signed a project agreement with the Ministry of Health to strengthen the Capacity of the Ministry for the Realization of Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP-II) on selected priorities. This project will be implemented in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the overall objective/purpose is to contribute towards the realization of selected strategic priorities of the Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP-II) which is more on project management focusing on institutional capacity building, technical assistance etc. UNOPS is selected to manage and implement the project by creating a project management unit (PMU).

This unit will be formed by a group of experts and specialists in the relevant matters that will be in charge of delivering the outputs.

The Project Management Support Officer will report to the UNOPS Project Manager, and will be working day-to-day in close and collaboration with the client institution, particularly the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA) Director General Office. The PM will also gather feedback from the client to manage and assess the deliverables.

Strategic Initiative:  

• Improve Regulatory Systems

• Improve access to pharmaceuticals and medical devices and their rational and proper use

 Scope of Work/ Objective

The Project Management Support Officer will provide technical support to the Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (Director General Office ) on the implementation of FHRSTP II focusing mainly  on objectives and strategic initiatives related to strengthening regional regulatory bodies, attaining WHO maturity level 3, realization of commencement of vaccines quality control test and advancing existing testing laboratories, improve regional collaboration and coordination with the ultimate goal of harmonization.  The Officer will also prepare regulatory tools (such as standards, guidelines, manuals, etc ) which help for  advancing regulatory functions, enhance coordination at national and regional level and ensure consistent law enforcement.

Functional Responsibilities

• Prepare guidance document for the establishment and implementation of three tier quality assurance scheme and expand accreditation scope at branch laboratory  

• Support the development of a roadmap for the realization of EFDA regulatory center of excellence 

• Follow up on the implementation of joint action plans as per the memorandum of understanding signed by all parties, both at national and regional level

• Support the development and implementation of institutional development plans for marketing authorization functions and laboratory testing functions that helps EFDA for attainment of  WHO maturity level 3 

• Support development of standardized regulatory tools and provide trainings on  existing and new tools to improve consistency of legal enforcement

• Support with preparation and technical review of MOU, strategic documents, guidelines, manuals and Standard operating procedures those enhance  national and regional harmonization

• Prepare guideline, protocol SOPs for effective implementation of post market quality monitoring  of  medical products 

• Develop and support implementation of quality management system documentations required for EFDA laboratories accreditation scope expansion

• Support EFDA headquarter medicine quality control laboratory WHO prequalification and accreditation transfer to the Ethiopian accreditation service 

• Support other priority  related assignments as given by the Director general Office

 
Expected Deliverables

• Strengthened regulatory system across all regions

• EFDA attain WHO maturity level 3 

• Guidance document developed to implement three tier Quality control testing schemes

• New tests started by EFDA laboratory

• Road map developed for realization of EFDA  regulatory center of excellence 

• Number of Quality management system documents  developed

• Monthly and quarterly performance report

The above deliverables are only indicative and are subject to change within the scope of role.

Job Requirements

Education/Experience/Language requirement

Education

• A first University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in  Pharmacy or related fields is required. OR

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in pharmaceutical analysis and quality assurance, or other relevant fields is desirable.

Experience 

• At least two (2) years of proven experience of work  in the regulatory sector directly related to top management positions in the sector is required

• Two (2) years of experience working in regulatory system strengthening projects and program management is required

• Ability to demonstrate in depth understanding and analytical capacity across issues related to global , regional and national medicine regulatory systems is desirable

• Experience working  in establishment and implementation of quality management systems for quality control laboratory is an asset

• Experience working  with development partners, international organizations, and relevant agencies working on  medicine regulatory system is an advantage

• Experience in developing strategic and Quality  management system documents is desirable

• Strong understanding of comprehensive regulatory requirements and Ethiopia’s health care system is desirable

• Ability to promote teamwork between EFDA and regional regulatory bodies is an asset

• Good communication and negotiation skills is desirable

Language 

• Fluency in spoken, written and reading English is required.

• Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should use the link below to apply. CLICK HERE