Consultant (Development and Piloting of a Research Front Desk€)

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical and project support to development and piloting of a “Research Front Desk.” The work will advance the objectives of the Science Division to strengthen the technical and ethical aspects of research conducted by WHO. The work will be undertaken in the Research for Health Department jointly by the HEG and EPS units, led administratively by the HEG Unit. Through the implementation of a scope-limited pilot, the consultancy will help to inform the best approach for a full research front desk within the Research for Health Department.

Background

In the context of the WHO Science Division established in 2019, WHO is renewing our operational focus on transparency, capacity building and excellence in research by ensuring high-quality technical and ethical public health research is addressed to the biggest unmet global public health needs. The Research for Health Department implements a series of activities to optimize research and development, to ensure optimal efficiency and to ultimately accelerate access to high-quality products and interventions to improve global health. As part of this overall process, technical capacity for conducting research will be strengthened through a variety of activities to be delivered through a “Research Front Desk” located in the Emerging Technologies, Research Prioritization and Support Unit of the Research for Health Department. This service will cover both scientific and ethical capacity building. As a first step, a pilot system will be built and implemented to offer WHO staff and study teams support in arranging the external scientific and technical reviews of research protocols that are required for WHO Ethics Review Committee (ERC) review submission. The aim of this first step is to improve the quality and utility of the external reviews and thus the technical quality of the research being submitted to the ERC and the overall research quality of WHO-associated research.

Deliverables

Output 1: Preparation of a report compiling internal perspectives on needs and processes (by 15.08.2021) 1.1 Coordinate consultations and interviews with key stakeholders 1.2 Analyze and compile needs and processes Output 2: Preparation of the pilot process map and plan (by 15.08.2021) Output 3: Set-up the roster of experts (Ongoing/iterative to 31.12.2021) 3.1 - Identify experts based on categories of experts described in the plan 3.2 - Coordinate invitations, administrative and technical onboarding with experts Output 4: Coordination of reviews (Ongoing/iterative to 31.12.2021) 4.1 - Communicate new system with technical units 4.2 - Coordinate reviews according to process plan 4.3 - Track activities 4.4 - Capture comments and perspectives on additional research training and capacity building needs Output 5: Prepare a final report, including the learnings from the pilot implementation, helping to inform the optimal approach for the establishment of a full Research Front Desk (by 31.12.2021)

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational qualifications:

Essential

• Master’s degree or equivalent from an accredited academic institution in public health, epidemiology, medicine, or other related field
• Research component to a degree programme

Experience:

Essential:

• At least 7 years of experience in developing and conducting public health research
• Experience with research ethics review processes

Desirable

• Experience with a range of research methodologies
• Project management experience
• Previous experience in WHO work
• Proven experience working with different stakeholders

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Proven knowledge and skills in writing and preparation of reports
• Strong capacity to work collaboratively in teams,
• Ability to analyse and synthesize relevant information,
• Ability to meet deadlines; excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Strong organizational skills;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.

Language requirements:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English Desirable Intermediate knowledge of another UN language

Location

Off site. Due to the COVID restrictions, the consultant will perform the work remotely from his/her home location, with the requirement of participating in meetings and call based on Geneva working hours.

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.)

No travel required

Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Remuneration: Band level B. For this consultancy a fixed amount is determined (3500 USD for 10 days per month)

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

Not applicable

Work schedule (if applicable) / Duration of contract:

6 months - 50% - Working schedule to be agreed with supervisors

Additional Information section:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html