Roster of consultants - Quality of vector control products

Purpose of consultancy

The consultant will be performing the following tasks:

• evaluate the scientific data submitted to support the WHO prequalification of vector control products,
• review new products,
• propose/recommend changes to existing prequalified products,
• perform science protocol reviews and product labelling,
• develop content for guideline development and/or provide comments on scientific information developed by the PQT/VCP,
• contribute to policy development.

Background

As of 1 January 2017, the PQT/VCP assumed the responsibility for the evaluation of vector control products for the purpose of WHO prequalification and as such has convened a group of qualified science assessors to conduct the evaluation of applications submitted to WHO for prequalification.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Assessment of applications.
  • Activity 1.1: Assess data submitted with the PQT/VCP applications and develop evaluation reports reflecting the analysis of this data. The data to be assessed supports the quality of the product and includes the review of the product composition, product manufacturing process, physical and chemical characteristics of the product, storage stability, product specifications, manufacturing release specifications and associated data.
  • Activity 1.2: Review other information related to quality submitted to PQT/VCP including new products, changes to already prequalified product, product complaints, product labels and testing protocols.
  • Activity 1.3: Conduct/lead assessments of data submitted with the PQT/VCP applications including training of new assessors and develop synthesized evaluation reports reflecting the analysis of this data.
• Deliverable 2: Contribute to the development of WHO guidelines and guidance.
  • Activity 2.1: Contribute to the development of WHO guidelines related to the identification of dossier and data requirements for the prequalification assessment of vector control products.
  • Activity 2.2: Contribute to the development of WHO guidance and operational policies related to the prequalification of vector control products.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• For band level C: Advanced university degree in a science discipline related to the quality assessment of pesticides and vector control products, eg., chemistry, materials science, engineering, natural sciences, and life sciences.
• For band level D: Advanced university degree in a science discipline related to the quality assessment of pesticides and vector control products, eg., chemistry, materials science, engineering, natural sciences, and life sciences.

Experience

Essential:

• For band level C: Over 10 years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in safety assessment of pesticides (agricultural/public health) and/or preventative health products.
• For band level D: Over 15 years of relevant experience, at the national and international levels, in safety assessment of pesticides (agricultural/public health) and/or preventative health products.

Desirable:

• Experience in performing safety assessments for international and national regulatory authorities.

Skills:

• Ability to assess data and information and develop clear and concise conclusions from relevant data.
• Knowledge of vector borne diseases and the different products used to prevent transmission.
• Knowledge of the data required to support the quality of the product.
• Knowledge of the different methods used to generate data to support the quality of vector control products.
• Understanding of the data generated to support the product and ability to analyse the data.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Skills/knowledge acquired from having worked in regulation/prequalification at WHO, other UN agencies or national regulatory authorities.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Off site: Home-based.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level C - USD 10,000 - 12,500 per month/ USD 500 - 625 per day.
Band level D - USD 12,520 - 14,400 per month/ USD 626 - 720 per day.

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

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

Contract duration varies based on the programme needs.

Additional Information

• 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.
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• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
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• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
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For roster VNs:

The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.