Consultant for AI in Health

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO has a mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With over 7,000 employees, WHO operates in more than 150 countries, working to combat diseases, improve health systems, and respond to health emergencies. The organization is committed to ensuring that everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.

Job Overview:
The consultant will play a crucial role in supporting the establishment of an expert advisory group on artificial intelligence (AI) in health for the WHO Regional Office in the Western Pacific (WPRO). This position is vital as AI technologies are rapidly evolving and being integrated into healthcare systems, often outpacing existing governance structures. The consultant will assist in organizing the first in-person expert group meeting, which aims to address the urgent concerns surrounding the adoption of AI in health, including safety, algorithmic bias, data privacy, equity, and accountability. The consultant will work closely with the Research, Ethics and Innovation (REI) team to ensure that the advisory group is grounded in evidence and effectively translates normative frameworks into operational tools for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in the region. The consultant will be responsible for developing governance frameworks, conducting comparative analyses of existing WHO advisory groups, and facilitating the selection process for qualified experts to join the advisory group.

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

• Support the establishment of the governance framework and Terms of Reference for the expert group, including a comparative analysis of at least three analogous WHO advisory groups.
• Assist in creating a transparent open call process for selecting qualified experts, including developing documentation packages and a dissemination plan.
• Contribute technical expertise to the screening and ranking of candidates, ensuring diversity and eligibility assessments are documented.
• Provide technical support for the first in-person expert group meeting, including agenda development, participant coordination, and drafting meeting reports. The consultant will also be expected to maintain regular communication with the REI team and provide updates on work progress.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in a relevant field such as public health, health policy, digital health, or health technology assessment. A master's degree or higher in these disciplines is desirable. Additionally, candidates should have a minimum of three years of professional experience in public health, health policy, or digital health and AI, particularly within the Western Pacific region. Experience with WHO or other UN organizations is preferred, along with a demonstrated ability to produce technical reports and frameworks. Candidates should also have experience managing advisory group processes and a strong understanding of AI and digital health governance.

Educational Background:
Essential educational qualifications include a university degree in fields relevant to the assignment, such as public health, health policy, digital health, or health technology assessment. A master's degree or higher in these areas is strongly preferred, particularly for candidates with a background that combines technical understanding of digital or AI systems with health policy or governance experience.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least three years of professional experience in public health, health policy, or digital health and AI, specifically in countries within the Western Pacific region. Desirable experience includes international exposure within WHO or other UN organizations, evidence generation for public health, and producing technical reports or frameworks. Experience working with LMIC health systems and understanding their governance and regulatory constraints is also beneficial.

Languages:
The essential language requirement for this position is expert-level proficiency in English (reading, writing, and speaking). Desirable languages include French and Chinese, also at an expert level, which would enhance the candidate's ability to engage with a broader range of stakeholders in the region.

Additional Notes:
The consultant will be offered a full-time onsite contract for insurance purposes, expected to work five days a week. The contract duration is 11 months, with a daily pay rate of USD 340, totaling USD 6,800 monthly. The consultant will participate in weekly teleconference meetings and is expected to undertake travel as part of the assignment. Visa requirements are the consultant's responsibility, and they must ensure compliance with WHO's vaccination policies before starting the assignment. The WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States.