Background Information - Job-specific

UNOPS Ethiopia Multi-Country Office (ETMCO) exciting career opportunity.
UNOPS-ETMCO is recruiting for this position: Project Management Support Officer - Food and Medicine Regulatory System Strengthening, Nutrition (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 guidance and 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 food safety regulation sectors(such as strengthen enforcement action, food product marketing authorisation, etc), matters related to establishment of quality management system in the health  regulatory sector, capacity building of regulatory workforce. The Officer will also prepare regulatory tools (such as standards, guidelines, checklists etc )which help for standardization of regulatory requirements and coordination among EFDA main office, branch offices, and regional regulatory bodies; and matters related to CGMP compliance of local food manufacturers.

Functional Responsibilities

• Support the development and implementation of the 3-year EFDA transformation  plan (FHRSTP II) and co-develop monitoring and evaluation tools for 3-year transformation plan of the Authority;

• Develop/revise standards, guidelines checklists which help for standardization of regulatory requirements and coordination among EFDA main office, branch offices, and regional regulatory bodies;

• Support the development and revision of tools on food product regulation 

• Engage on establishment and implementation EFDA quality management system;

• Support   in development of tools and meeting that support cGMP compliance of the local food manufacturers;

• Support implementation of strategic and flagship activities of EFDA;

• Support and facilitate and arrange capacity building interventions in the areas of food registration,  inspection and the overall regulatory system;

• Other related assignments within the scope of role

 
Expected Deliverables

• High level advisory is provided to the director general office  on the implementation of the Food and health product regulatory  sector transformation plan with respect medical product sector regulation

• Number of regulatory tools developed and/or revised

• Number of regulatory workforce trained on specific regulatory areas

• EFDA food inspection directorate attain ISO/IEC 17020 accreditation and extend accreditation scope of food quality and safety laboratory  

• EFDA own staff are coached and mentored in different regulatory activities 

• Monthly and quarterly  progress report submitted

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

Job Requirements

Education/Experience/Language requirements
Education

• A first University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in  Food Science, Nutrition, Public Health, or other related fields is required. OR

• Advanced university degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in  Food Science, Nutrition, Public Health, or other relevant fields is desirable.

Experience 

• At least two (2) years of proven experience of work  in health system including management positions is required.

• Ability to demonstrate in depth understanding and analytical capacity across issues related to food regulatory system is desirable

• Experience working with development partners, the food and medicine regulatory system, strong understanding of GMP compliance of food manufacturing  and Ethiopia’s health system is an added advantage

• Ability to promote teamwork between EFDA and DPs is desirable

• Good communication and negotiation skills is an asset

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