Technical Officer - Pharmacovigilance

Organizational Context

The World Health Organization (WHO), a specialized agency of the United Nations, aims to ensure the highest possible level of health for all peoples. It achieves this by providing leadership on global health matters, setting research priorities, establishing standards, developing evidence-based policies, offering technical support, and monitoring health trends. The organization works collaboratively to address key health issues and build institutional capacity.

Job Purpose

The Technical Officer (Pharmacovigilance) will support Member States in implementing the WHO Resolution on pharmacovigilance and operationalizing the global smart pharmacovigilance strategy. This involves supporting risk-based prioritization, reliance/work-sharing mechanisms, integration into regulatory systems, and enhancing safety communication. Working under the guidance of the Regional Adviser/Team Lead and in close collaboration with WHO headquarters and country offices, the role is crucial for strengthening national capacities and ensuring the safety of medicines and vaccines.

Responsibilities

Facilitate the regional adoption of global pharmacovigilance (PV) guidance and tools, monitoring their uptake and impact. Conduct PV system assessments using tools like the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool (GBT) and assist countries in developing Institutional Development Plans (IDPs). Coordinate with WHO Collaborating Centres and support the regional implementation of WHO PV tools and protocols, especially for new medicines and vaccines. Provide feedback to WHO Headquarters on PV metrics, coordinate pilot projects, and support their scale-up. Strengthen regional PV collaboration, including information sharing and joint signal reviews with National Regulatory Authorities. Support countries in prioritizing risk-based PV actions and integrating PV within immunization and public health programs. Advocate for the Vaccine Safety Net and promote trustworthy communication channels. Represent the Region in international drug monitoring forums and support regional activities. Provide technical assistance for signal detection, causality assessment, data analysis, and advance the use of AI in PV. Conduct surveys on the Smart Strategy uptake and coordinate technical experts for effective PV activity implementation.

Work Experience

Minimum of five years of relevant experience in pharmacovigilance, regulatory science, or medicines/vaccine safety, including signal detection/assessment and safety communication. Experience supporting national authorities in low- and middle-income countries is essential. Desirable experience includes work with reliance/work-sharing, GBT benchmarking/IDP implementation, active surveillance, interoperability projects, and familiarity with WHO/Uppsala Monitoring Centre tools and MedDRA/WHO Drug Dictionary.

Skills

Applied knowledge of pharmacovigilance methods, adverse event definitions, causality assessment, and benefit-risk evaluation. Understanding of risk-based prioritization, reliance/work-sharing models, and PV system integration. Data management, quality assurance, and basic analytics skills are required. Excellent writing, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement abilities are crucial. Core competencies include teamwork, respecting diversity, communication, producing results, and ensuring resource effectiveness. Expertise in Pharmacy, Public Health, and Immunization is also noted.

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