WHO Programme Officer Essential Medicines Regulatory System Islamabad Full Time

WHO Programme Officer Essential Medicines and Regulatory System job in Islamabad is now open for experienced public health and pharmaceutical professionals who want to contribute to strengthening Pakistan’s national medicines regulatory framework through the support and technical guidance of the World Health Organization. This position is advertised through the United Nations Pakistan portal and represents one of the most professionally significant healthcare policy roles available in the country right now.

About World Health Organization Pakistan

The World Health Organization is the leading international body responsible for global public health, operating under the United Nations system and working in over 150 countries including Pakistan. WHO Pakistan works closely with the federal government, provincial health departments, and national regulatory bodies to improve healthcare standards, strengthen medicine regulation, and expand access to quality-assured health products for communities across the country. For health professionals in Pakistan, a position with WHO is widely regarded as one of the most impactful and prestigious career opportunities in the development and public health sector.

WHO Programme Officer Essential Medicines and Regulatory System Role Overview

This officer will work under the direct supervision of the Technical Officer for Health Systems at WHO Pakistan and will serve as a dedicated technical resource for the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination. The core purpose of this role is to provide expert support in essential medicines policy, pharmaceutical regulation, and health product availability to help Pakistan meet internationally recognized standards. Day-to-day work involves coordinating with DRAP, the Ministry, and WHO headquarters to ensure that WHO’s global norms, tools, and strategies are effectively adapted and implemented within the Pakistani health system context.

Key Responsibilities

1. Provide hands-on technical support to the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination on strengthening policies and systems related to essential medicines and health technologies. This involves reviewing existing national frameworks, identifying gaps against international benchmarks, and proposing evidence-based recommendations that the government can realistically implement given local capacity and resources.
2. Support the implementation and follow-up of the WHO Global Benchmarking Tool assessments for Pakistan’s national regulatory authority. The GBT is the primary international framework for evaluating the maturity and effectiveness of drug regulatory systems, and this officer will be responsible for tracking progress against its recommendations and supporting corrective actions at the institutional level.
3. Coordinate with DRAP officials and Ministry counterparts to build the technical and institutional capacity needed to improve regulatory functions including registration, quality control, pharmacovigilance, and inspection. Capacity building activities may include technical workshops, training sessions, mentoring, and development of standard operating procedures aligned with WHO best practices.
4. Assist in developing and updating Pakistan’s national essential medicines list in line with WHO’s model essential medicines list and the latest evidence on medicine efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness. This work directly influences which medicines are prioritized for procurement, coverage, and availability across the public health system.
5. Contribute to the development, review, and dissemination of national pharmaceutical policies, guidelines, and regulatory frameworks. Draft policy documents, technical briefs, and official correspondence on behalf of WHO that clearly communicate complex regulatory matters to both government and international stakeholders.
6. Monitor and analyze developments in the pharmaceutical sector and regulatory environment in Pakistan, identifying emerging challenges and opportunities for WHO’s programme work. Prepare regular situation reports, briefings, and technical updates for WHO country office management and headquarters technical teams.
7. Support the collection and analysis of data on medicine availability, affordability, and quality across different levels of the health system in Pakistan. Use this data to track progress toward national and global targets for universal access to essential medicines and to inform evidence-based programme decisions.
8. Facilitate coordination between WHO and national counterparts including DRAP, the National Institute of Health, provincial health departments, and development partners working in the pharmaceutical and regulatory space. Effective partnership management is critical to ensuring that WHO’s technical guidance translates into real improvements at the system level.
9. Contribute to resource mobilization efforts by supporting the preparation of project proposals, donor reports, and technical documentation for WHO’s essential medicines and regulatory systems programme in Pakistan. Accurate and compelling reporting is essential to sustaining international funding and support for this important area of work.
10. Represent WHO in technical meetings, working groups, inter-agency forums, and government consultations related to medicine regulation and pharmaceutical policy. Professional representation of WHO’s position requires both deep technical knowledge and strong interpersonal communication skills.
11. Support the integration of WHO norms and standards into Pakistan’s regulatory review processes for new medicines, vaccines, medical devices, and other health technologies. This includes providing technical input on registration dossiers, post-market surveillance systems, and quality assurance mechanisms for both locally manufactured and imported health products.
12. Prepare high-quality technical reports, presentations, policy briefs, and communication materials that effectively present WHO’s programme findings and recommendations to diverse audiences including government officials, international partners, civil society organizations, and the general public.
13. If you are also looking for other United Nations and international organization jobs in Pakistan, you can find more opportunities at nextjobtop and stay updated with the latest UN and WHO vacancies announced throughout the year.

Required Qualifications

• A university degree in pharmacy, medicine, public health, or a closely related health science field is required as the minimum educational qualification. A postgraduate degree such as a Master’s in Public Health, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Regulatory Affairs, or Health Policy would be a significant advantage and is strongly preferred by WHO for positions of this technical level.
• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in essential medicines, pharmaceutical policy development, or regulatory systems is required. Candidates with direct experience working with national regulatory authorities, international health organizations, or pharmaceutical governance institutions will be given clear preference during the shortlisting process.
• Demonstrated working knowledge of WHO’s global tools and frameworks including the Global Benchmarking Tool, the WHO Model Essential Medicines List, and Good Manufacturing Practices guidelines is highly desirable. Familiarity with DRAP’s regulatory processes and Pakistan’s national pharmaceutical sector context would be a strong advantage for any candidate applying for this role.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are mandatory for this position since the role involves drafting technical documents, policy papers, and official WHO correspondence on a regular basis. Proficiency in Urdu is an added advantage for effective engagement with national government counterparts and provincial health officials.
• Strong analytical and research skills are essential, including the ability to review and synthesize complex regulatory and pharmaceutical data into clear policy recommendations. Candidates must demonstrate the capacity to work independently, manage multiple priorities simultaneously, and deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines in a demanding international organization environment.

How to Apply

Visit the United Nations Pakistan jobs portal at un.rozee Search for Programme Officer Essential Medicines and Regulatory System or use job ID 1850972 Click Apply and log in or create a free account on the UN Rozee portal Complete the online application form with full academic and professional history Upload your updated CV, cover letter, and copies of relevant educational and professional certificates Submit your application before the closing date

Last Date to Apply: July 2, 2026

Qualified professionals from all backgrounds and regions of Pakistan are encouraged to apply. WHO is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that reflects the communities it serves.

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