World Health Organization (WHO)
Geneva
Technical Manager (Strategic Sourcing and Supply)
- 18 June 2026
- 100%
- Permanent position
- Geneva
About the job
Job Description - Technical Manager (Strategic Sourcing and Supply) (2602399)
Technical Manager (Strategic Sourcing and Supply) - (2602399)
Grade: P4
Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 2 years
: Jun 18, 2026, 8:29:49 AM
: Jul 9, 2026, 9:59:00 PM
: Switzerland-Geneva
: UT/UTD UNITAID International drug purchase facility
: 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
Within the delegated authority, the Technical Manager, Strategic Sourcing & Supply:
- Manages strategic sourcing and supply activities across a portfolio of innovative health products, supporting cross-functional workstreams and teams on market-shaping and strategic access initiatives.
- Ensures that sourcing strategies support access to innovative products while adhering to Unitaid policies on quality assurance and international public procurement.
- Provides strategic, operational and policy guidance to operationalize Unitaid's supply-side objectives through efficient, innovative approaches, while serving as a key internal technical resource to support portfolio reviews, identify access barriers, conduct root-cause analysis, and design and implement market-shaping interventions, including assessment of market intervention options and manufacturer negotiations.
- Ensures implementation of programme-facing supply-side interventions through active engagement with governments, manufacturers, global health financing organizations, regional institutions, procurement agents, and other partners that influence market dynamics and access to essential health commodities, while maintaining close collaboration with PSM counterparts at the Global Fund, USG, PAHO, AU and other relevant institutions to align strategies for manufacturer engagement, procurement agent management, pricing, supply terms and related strategic matters.
- In collaboration with Strategy, Programmes and Results, guides the design, maintenance and use of data on manufacturers, procurement agents, and health products, to provide accurate and up-to-date information on prices and supply terms for project- and portfolio-level decision-making and efficient use of Unitaid resources.
- Monitors current and emerging developments in market evolution, sourcing and delivery of health products across Unitaid's active portfolio, particularly in markets influenced by major procurers such as governments, multilaterals and bilateral agencies.
- Participates actively in Unitaid project performance oversight teams and in meetings with international organizations, governments, implementing partners and industry.
- Designs and undertakes in-depth analyses and knowledge management on sourcing, market coordination and delivery.
- Contributes to development and dissemination of Unitaid knowledge products on access to innovation, procurement, market shaping, and regional manufacturing of health products. Coordinates the development and delivery of capacity-building initiatives for Unitaid staff and partners on access, market dynamics, and procurement and supply chain management.
- Perform all related duties as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: Advanced university degree (master's level or above) in business administration, public health, medicine, economics, supply chain management or pharmacy
Desirable: Additional qualifications in development policy, supply chain management, or quality management
Experience
Essential:
- At least 7 years of progressive experience on market access and industry engagement across health products for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal/newborn/child health.
- At least 5 years of demonstrated international experience designing and executing strategic market-based approaches to support scale-up and equitable access to health commodities in challenging and resource-limited health systems.
- Established networks based on experience working on health product access - including government stakeholders (especially in low- and middle-income countries), development financing agencies(foundations, multilateral and other donors), civil society groups, NGOs, procurement agents, and manufacturers.
- Experience working in resource-limited settings in low- or lower-middle-income countries.
Desirable:
- Experience in building and/or overseeing information management systems that support supply and delivery.
- Experience in pharmaceuticals and/or diagnostics regulatory affairs, quality assurance, and/or intellectual property.
- Demonstrated capacity leading and/or coordinating cross-functional and dynamic teams.
Skills
- Excellent analytical, data management, and communication skills
- Excellent project and people management skills; ability to build networks and effective partnerships
- Tact and diplomacy; strong negotiation skills and an ability to influence others for positive results
- Ability to develop innovative approaches and solutions; strong skills designing interventions to increase access to health products in low-income countries and resource-limited settings; skills in market shaping and industry engagement across health products (diagnostic, medicines, and preventive tools)
- Ability to conduct due diligence and identify and manage risks.
- Ability to adapt to rapidly changing environments.
- Ability to share knowledge and expertise openly and freely, providing guidance, coaching and advice on technical areas.
- Team spirit and time management skills.
WHO Competencies
1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Ensuring the effective use of resources
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 6223 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
- 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 Manual.
- 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.
- 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 E-Mail schreiben 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 E-Mail schreiben.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
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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.