Consultant for Research, Ethics and Innovation

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. With over 7,000 employees and operations in more than 150 countries, WHO works to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health. The organization focuses on various health issues, including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, health systems, and emergency response, among others. WHO's Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) plays a crucial role in addressing health challenges specific to the region, collaborating with member states to strengthen health systems and improve health outcomes.

Job Overview:
The consultant position within the Research, Ethics and Innovation (REI) unit under the Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI) group at WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) is designed to provide essential technical and analytical support for the development of a comprehensive data repository that encompasses the health research ecosystem components across WPRO Member States. This role is pivotal in enhancing the understanding of health research systems, which is critical for informing health policy and practice. The consultant will engage in a situational analysis of health research, contributing to the identification of governance frameworks, funding flows, institutional structures, human resources, and research activities. The position also involves conducting a registry-based review of infectious disease trials, which will yield insights into local capacities for clinical research and the state of regulatory oversight. The consultant will be responsible for data extraction, management, and validation, ensuring that the repository and review are finalized effectively and efficiently.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be tasked with several key deliverables, including:

• Developing a repository of country-level datasets on health research ecosystem components for all countries in the Western Pacific region. This includes conducting a desk review to compile data on health research governance, funding flows, institutional structures, human resources, and research activities by 15 October.
• Creating interactive visualization tools for the data repository by 31 October.
• Conducting a registry-based review of infectious disease clinical trials, which involves extracting relevant data and categorizing entries based on predefined review rules by 1 December.
• Performing independent validation of all extracted data by co-reviewers and conducting necessary quantitative and qualitative analyses by 15 December.
• Producing publication-ready summary tables, figures, and insights by 31 December. The consultant will work closely with the REI unit to ensure that all deliverables meet the required standards and timelines.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced degree in a relevant field such as public health, epidemiology, health sciences, or a related discipline from a recognized institution. A doctoral degree in a relevant field is desirable. Essential qualifications include 5 to 10 years of research experience in public health or a relevant health science or social science field, with extensive experience in evidence synthesis, particularly systematic reviews. Familiarity with health research systems and clinical research, including clinical trials and international trial registries, is crucial. A proven track record of delivering high-quality technical products at both national and international levels is also required. Relevant work experience with WHO, UN agencies, governmental agencies, or international non-governmental organizations is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, health sciences, or a related discipline from an accredited institution. A doctoral degree in a relevant field is preferred, as it demonstrates a higher level of expertise and understanding of complex health research issues.

Experience:
The consultant should have between 5 to 10 years of relevant research experience, particularly in public health or related fields. This experience should include extensive work in evidence synthesis, especially systematic reviews, and familiarity with health research systems and clinical trials. The candidate should have a proven ability to deliver high-quality technical products and insights at both national and international levels, showcasing their capability to handle complex health research projects.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of written and spoken English is essential for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not mandatory. The ability to communicate effectively in English is crucial for collaboration and reporting within the international context of WHO.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based, with no travel expected. The remuneration for this position is set at Band B, with a daily rate of USD400, totaling USD4,000 monthly. The maximum duration of the contract is 11 months, specifically from September to December 2025, with a workload of 50%. Candidates should be aware that WHO's recruitment process emphasizes diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. Additionally, candidates must confirm their vaccination status as required by WHO before undertaking any assignment.