Consultant for WHO AFRO Public Health Journal

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO's work is guided by the principles of equity, inclusiveness, and accountability, and it aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The consultant will provide technical and operational support to the WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO) as it seeks to establish the WHO AFRO Public Health Journal. This peer-reviewed, open-access platform aims to amplify African research and policy-relevant evidence, thereby strengthening knowledge translation and supporting evidence-informed decision-making across Member States. The consultant will also assist in revitalizing the WHO AFRO Research Ethics Committee and enhancing research governance mechanisms in the region. This role is crucial for addressing the gaps in research governance, coordination, and dissemination that currently exist in Africa, as well as for ensuring that African research is adequately represented in global scientific literature.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support the establishment of the WHO AFRO journal within the provided timelines, which includes finalizing the agreement with BMJ Publishing Group, establishing the editorial board, and coordinating the official launch of the journal at the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in August 202
• Assist in research governance efforts both within WHO AFRO and among Member States.
• Provide additional support in various areas of the Research Unit as needed.
• Engage with external partners, including Ministries of Health and donor institutions, to facilitate collaboration and communication.
• Coordinate multi-stakeholder research initiatives and provide training or mentorship in ethics and publication practices.

Required Qualifications:

• Essential: A Master’s degree in health research, public health, or social sciences.
• Desirable: Certification in publishing, research ethics, bioethics, health research governance, or research methodology.
• Strong functional knowledge of health research systems and ethical review processes for research involving human participants.
• Expertise in scientific writing and editorial standards, as well as experience managing peer-reviewed journals.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as health research, public health, or social sciences. Additional certifications in areas related to publishing or research ethics are considered advantageous.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least 7 years of experience in health research and research systems. Experience with scientific publishing, editorial processes, and managing peer-reviewed journals in a regional or international context is desirable.

Languages:
Essential: Expert knowledge of spoken and written English. Desirable: Working knowledge of French or another UN official language is considered an advantage.

Additional Notes:
The consultant will work off-site and is not expected to travel. The remuneration for this consultancy is set at Band level B, amounting to USD 8,500 per month. This vacancy notice may also be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. Candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test may be used as a form of screening. Candidates selected for an interview will need to provide scanned copies of their required educational qualifications. WHO is committed to diversity and encourages applications from women and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization adheres to the highest ethical standards and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of abusive conduct.