Medicines and Local Production Officer

The Medicines and Local Production Officer supports the development and implementation of national strategies for local production of medicines and health technologies. The role involves providing technical assistance to government institutions, supporting regulatory systems strengthening, coordinating stakeholder engagements, and contributing to policy development and capacity-building activities in South Africa.

Responsibilities

• Support development and implementation of national strategies and roadmaps for local production of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and other health technologies.
• Provide technical assistance to government institutions in strengthening pharmaceutical manufacturing ecosystems and access to quality-assured health products.
• Support implementation of WHO strategies and regional frameworks on local production and pharmaceutical systems strengthening.
• Support SAHPRA and relevant stakeholders in regulatory systems strengthening, including WHO Global Benchmarking Tool assessments, regulatory harmonization initiatives, regulatory strengthening action plans, GMP oversight and pharmaceutical quality assurance activities.
• Convene, coordinate and facilitate technical consultations, policy dialogues and stakeholder engagements, and strengthen collaboration between government, industry, academia, development partners and regional institutions.
• Support assessments and mapping of pharmaceutical manufacturing capacities, technology transfer opportunities, workforce needs, supply-chain bottlenecks and market access barriers.
• Analyze evidence and develop recommendations to inform policy decisions and strategic investments.
• Prepare technical reports, concept notes, policy briefs, presentations, investment cases and strategic planning documents.
• Monitor and report on implementation progress of local production initiatives and associated action plans, and document lessons learned, best practices and innovations.
• Organize and facilitate workshops, training programmes and capacity-building activities, and support development of technical guidance and tools for regulators, manufacturers and government officials.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the supervisor in support of WHO programme priorities.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Industrial Pharmacy, Public Health, Health Economics, Regulatory Sciences, Pharmaceutical Policy, Health Systems, Biotechnology, Life Sciences, or related field.
• Registration as a Pharmacist with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) is desirable.
• Additional training in regulatory affairs, pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality assurance, technology transfer, health policy, or public health is desirable.
• At least five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in pharmaceutical systems, medicines regulation, pharmaceutical manufacturing, health technologies, public health, or related areas.
• Demonstrated experience working with government institutions, regulatory authorities, pharmaceutical manufacturers, development partners, or international organizations.
• Experience working with WHO, other UN agencies, development partners, or international health organizations is desirable.
• Experience supporting regulatory systems strengthening, GMP compliance, pharmaceutical production, or technology transfer initiatives is desirable.
• Experience in policy development, programme implementation, stakeholder engagement and technical advisory services is desirable.
• Experience in resource mobilization, project management and donor-funded programmes is desirable.
• Knowledge of South Africa’s pharmaceutical manufacturing environment and regulatory landscape is desirable.
• Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical systems and medicines policy.
• Understanding of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, GMP, quality assurance and regulatory systems.
• Knowledge of pharmaceutical supply chains, access to medicines and health technologies.
• Ability to analyze complex technical information and translate it into policy recommendations.
• Strong report-writing and analytical skills; stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills; project management and coordination skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines; strong presentation and negotiation skills.
• Core competencies: teamwork and collaboration; communication and interpersonal skills; respecting and promoting individual and cultural diversity; producing results; building and promoting partnerships; ensuring effective use of resources; moving forward in a changing environment.
• Excellent written and spoken English is required.

Skills

• Pharmaceutical Systems
• Medicines regulation
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
• Health Technology
• Public Health
• Legal Regulatory Affairs
• Quality Assurance
• Technology Transfer
• Health Policy
• Pharmaceutical Policy
• Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
• GMP Compliance
• Policy Development
• Programme Implementation
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Technical Advisory
• Resource Mobilization
• Project Management
• Donor-Funded Programme Support
• Report Writing
• Analytical Skills
• Presentation Skills
• Negotiation Skills
• Pharmacist Registration
• South African Pharmaceutical Regulations

Languages

English