Unitaid is looking for a Technical Manager (Strategy)

Application deadline: 30 September 2026

Grade: P4

Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 2 years

Location: Switzerland-Geneva

Department: UT/UTD UNITAID International drug purchase facility

Schedule: Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Unitaid, a partnership hosted by the World Health Organization is focused on accelerating the introduction and adoption of key health products primarily for HIV & co-infections, tuberculosis, malaria and women & children' s health. It creates systemic conditions for sustainable and equitable access and aims to foster inclusive and demand-driven partnerships for innovation. It designs and invests in innovative approaches to make quality health products available and affordable in low-and middle-income countries. It promotes collective efforts with partners, countries and communities, unlocking access to the tools, services and care than can deliver the best results, improve health and address global health priorities.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In this role and within the delegated authority, the Technical Manager (Strategy), will:

• Provide analytic and technical support for implementation of Unitaid's strategy, particularly as related to medicines, diagnostics, and preventive health products used in HIV and related areas.
• As required: Identify, develop and validate new topics/approaches where Unitaid could support access to health products in low- and middle-income countries, particularly as related to investments in HIV and related areas ;
• Manage proposal selection as relevant, including: design and drafting of calls for proposals; strategic leadership in cross-functional assessment of proposals, including Joint Review Committee discussions; review and revision of proposal tools as needed to maximize effectiveness and efficiency of proposal submission and review;
• Design and manage analyses to inform opportunities for Unitaid, proposal review and selection, and strategic project design and implementation; and identify, coordinate with, and supervise internal resources, external consultants and experts.
• Provide strategic support and technical expertise as part of cross-functional project teams during grant development and implementation Provide technical support to Programme Management-led project teams during the grant development process: liaise on strategic development and implementation of projects and represent Strategy in project teams;
• Collaborate with Results colleagues - e.g., on development of theory of change, assessment of impact and value for money;
• Supports Strategic Sourcing & Supply to design, establish and maintain data on manufacturers, procurement agents, medicines, diagnostics and other health commodities with a view to providing accurate and up-to-date information on prices and supply terms to inform Unitaid's project-and portfolio-level strategy and to ensure efficient utilization of Unitaid resources.
• Support efforts related to Access and lead other Strategy projects as required, e.g., develop market-based interventions, including support for new innovations and/or incentives such as volume guarantees, advanced market commitments, R&D success rewards, subsidies, etc. to increase access to healthcare products.
• Comprehensive market analysis will require close coordination with others in the Strategy team, other teams, and external partners, and may include: Product pipeline review, including assessment of market entry barriers;
• Analysis of demand (e.g., market size projections for relevant products, scenario planning and estimation of unmet need in key market segments/patient populations); fiscal space analysis including tracking of funding commitments at donor and country level to inform forecasting;
• Analysis of supply environment (e.g., analysis of cost structures, expectations for price-volume thresholds, analysis of intellectual property-related determinants of access) and development of actionable supply-side / procurement strategies.
• Draft and deliver reports, presentations, briefing notes, and other materials for Unitaid's Executive Board, Policy and Strategy Committee, and Joint Review Committee. Disseminate reports, lessons learned, and new analytic methods via satellites/symposia at International Conferences, reports and web-based materials (in collaboration with Unitaid's Communications Team), and peer-reviewed publications. Represent Unitaid at conferences, symposia, and external meetings, as relevant.
• Support broader organizational communications and resource mobilization efforts in relevant content areas.
• Leverage strong, established networks of experts and other global health stakeholders working in health product access in malaria, women's and children's health, and related areas.
• Performs other duties as deemed necessary by the supervisor.

Essential

Advanced level University degree in international development, health economics, public health /infectious disease, pharmacy, health policy or innovation.

Desirable:

Advanced university degree in business and/or a discipline related to healthcare product access or innovation.

Essential:

• At least 7 years of experience in health strategies with a focus on healthcare tools (therapeutics, diagnostics, preventive tools);
• At least 3 years of experience in analysis of health products for HIV and related coinfections in resource-limited settings, such as: analysis of markets and competitive intelligence; forecasting or market models.
• Demonstrated experience supporting design and application of market-based interventions for health products (diagnostics, medicines, and preventive tools) for HIV and related areas in resource-limited settings in low- or lower-middle-income countries;
• Demonstrated experience at the international level, with established networks of relevant global health partners in HIV and related areas (e.g. scale-up partners, other funders, technical partners, country stakeholders, community and civil society stakeholders).

Desirable:

Experience working in or with the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and/or diagnostics industry on issues including market access, regulatory, medical affairs, and intellectual property).

Skills

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills Strong planning, organizational, and project management skills.
• Proven ability to design, conduct, and manage analytical work, including market analysis Demonstrated ability to work as part of a small team to deliver high impact results
• Strong interpersonal skills, tact, discretion and mature judgment
• Strong knowledge of global health commodities and relevant established network of key stakeholders in global health
• Understanding and knowledge of Unitaid's mission, strategy, key publications and projects Familiarity with global pharmaceuticals / diagnostics policies (such as quality assurance, procurement, etc.) and knowledge of public health and market issues

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 86,027 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 6043 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to [email protected] with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].

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• As a WHO staff member assigned solely and exclusively to support this Partnership, selected staff will have no right of reassignment or transfer outside the Partnership either during or at the end of his/her appointment, including pursuant to WHO Staff Rule 1050. (This does not apply to WHO fixed-term staff members reassigned from a non-Partnership position.)

• UNITAID is a partnership hosted and administered by WHO, located outside WHO premises in Le Pommier, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex.

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