Consultant for Responsible AI Adoption in Health

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) is dedicated to improving health and well-being across the region. Established to address health challenges and promote health equity, WPRO collaborates with member states to implement health policies and programs. The organization operates in multiple countries within the Western Pacific region, focusing on various health issues, including disease prevention, health promotion, and the integration of technology in health systems. WPRO's mission is to ensure that all people can achieve their highest possible level of health, emphasizing the importance of innovation and technology in achieving health equity.

Job Overview:
The consultant position within the Research, Ethics and Innovation Unit (REI) at WHO WPRO is aimed at providing technical support for projects related to the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in health. This role is crucial as WHO seeks to leverage AI to enhance health systems and promote health equity across the Western Pacific region. The consultant will work closely with the REI team to develop guidance for member states on AI governance, ethical considerations, and the implementation of AI technologies in health. The position requires a strong understanding of research ethics, AI concepts, and the ability to conduct both qualitative and quantitative research. The consultant will also be involved in organizing stakeholder meetings and contributing to the development of technical papers and briefing materials that synthesize key findings for internal discussions and consultations with member states.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key deliverables, including:

• Producing regional guidance on the minimum ecosystem required for responsible health AI adoption, which involves assisting in data collection, expert consultations, and landscape analysis of current AI governance models across member states.
• Identifying and compiling national policies, laws, strategies, and guidelines related to AI in selected Western Pacific member states.
• Preparing structured country dossiers that summarize policy scope, governance arrangements, and ethical considerations for AI in health.
• Conducting research and contributing to the development of a technical paper for the AI agenda session at the 77th Session of the Regional Committee.
• Supporting the organization of stakeholder meetings to ensure the successful execution of the AI agenda session.
• Developing thematic briefs on priority issues in AI ethics and governance for health, and assisting in drafting technical briefing materials for WHO discussions and consultations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as public health, epidemiology, health sciences, public policy, or technology management from a recognized institution. Essential qualifications include a minimum of two years of experience in ethics and law at the international level. Desirable qualifications include experience working with WHO or other United Nations agencies in health research, ethics, or innovation. Strong knowledge of research ethics and AI concepts is essential, along with excellent writing, research, analytical, communication, and reporting skills.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as public health, epidemiology, health sciences, public policy, technology management, or a related discipline from an accredited institution. This educational foundation is critical for understanding the complexities of health systems and the ethical implications of AI technologies in health.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of two years of relevant experience in ethics and law at the international level. Candidates with experience working with WHO, other United Nations agencies, or major international organizations in health research, ethics, or innovation will be preferred. This experience is vital for understanding the regulatory and ethical landscape surrounding AI in health and for effectively contributing to the organization's goals.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is mandatory for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly languages relevant to the Western Pacific region, as it may enhance communication with diverse stakeholders and member states.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is home-based, and the consultant is not expected to travel. The expected duration of the contract is six months, from March to September 2026, with a remuneration of USD 198.00 per day, paid for a maximum of 20 days per month. This vacancy 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 part of the screening process. WHO emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented member states. Candidates must provide proof of vaccination as required by WHO before undertaking any assignment.