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Roster of Consultants - QSP Technical Experts

Anywhere

  • Organization: WHO - World Health Organization
  • Location: Anywhere
  • Grade: Consultancy - International Consultant - Internationally recruited Contractors Agreement
  • Occupational Groups:
    • HQ/QNS Quality Assurance of Norms and Standards
  • Closing Date: Closed

Purpose of consultancy

Reporting to the Unit Head, Methods and Standards Unit (MST), the consultant will provide guidance for the technical appraisal and coordination of the quality assurance process for all normative and standard-setting (N&S) products that are not guidelines. The consultant is expected to provide expert advice to technical units that are developing N&S products that are not guidelines on process, methods and quality appraisal.

Background

The Quality Assurance of Norms and Standards Department (QNS) sits within the Science Division. Its mandate is structured around four key roles:

1. Ensure that all N&S products meet WHO highest quality standards by providing tailored, state of the art methodological support and guidance
2. Support project teams developing N&S products by ensuring the utmost efficiency of the N&S process
3. Secure maximum country impact by helping to develop fit for purpose N&S products
4. Advance and ensure timely, peer-reviewed, and accessible scientific evidence and information, through the WHO Library and Digital Information Outreach, and the WHO Press

The QNS Department is made up of 5 units: Methods and Standards, Process Efficiency, Product Design and Impact, WHO Library and the Office of the Publisher. Within the department, the Methods and Standards (MST) unit is more specifically dedicated to:

1. Producing and continuously update robust quality-assured methodologies, building upon best practices as well as internal and external expertise
2. Providing tailored methodological support and guidance to Technical Dept. project teams, and consultation with regions
3. Ensuring highest-quality services from technically skilled subject matter experts in a diverse array of standard-setting methods, including but not limited to public engagement, clinical and social epidemiology, modelling, and implementation studies.

Deliverables

To provide technical guidance to the MST team for the operation, maintenance and management of Quality Support Panel and provide consistent, timely and agile support to technical units in the quality appraisal of N&S products that are not guidelines.

Output 1: Provide expert technical advice and guidance to technical units on methodological and procedural issues at initiation, planning, execution and finalization stages go the development of N&S products that are not guidelines.
Deliverable 1.1: Monthly summary of issues raised for technical advice and support from technical units; a list of frequently asked questions and answers updated monthly.

Output 2: Quality appraise all submissions, request clarifications and reply to queries from technical units with submissions to the QSP; attend all meetings of the QSP; finalize the QSP annual report.
Deliverable 2.1: Monthly summary of issues raised, and their resolution reached during reviews of submissions.

Output 3: Evaluate the quality, consistency, timeliness of the appraisals and feedback; evaluate and suggest improvements to the efficiency, effectiveness of the appraisal mechanism; assess the current processes and procedures to meet the needs of WHO.
Deliverable 3.1: Quarterly report on quality, consistency and timeliness of quality appraisals, including recommendations for improvement.

Output 4: Coordinate and organize training, build capacity of technical units, other potential reviewers and contribute to the overall Organizational capacity to develop and quality appraise N&S products; coordinate with Regional and Country Offices for needs assessment and capacity building for the development and review of N&S products.
Deliverable 4.1: Quarterly report on training and other capacity building activities.

Output 5: Propose an implementation plan to build and expand a roster of members and chairs of the QSP with gender balance and diversity in expertise, perspective and geographical representation; implement this plan once approved; evaluate the implementation of the QSP roster of members and chairs.
Deliverable 5.1: Report on the readiness of the Organization for a QSP roster; Implementation plan, and Evaluation plan.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

An advanced university degree (corresponding to a Doctorate level degree) in public health, epidemiology, medicine or any related field.

Desirable:

Additional post-graduate training courses in advanced epidemiology and research.

Experience:

Essential:

Over 10 years of experience in the development or quality assessment of guidelines, implementation guidance and tools, learning materials, strategic frameworks, research agenda, policy documents public health standards, or other public health normative documents.

Desirable:

Experience with WHO, the UN or other international organizations.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

  • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and to deliver high quality written work within short timelines.
  • Excellent communication skills.

Desirable:

  • Familiarity with software applications used in evidence synthesis and development of normative and standard-setting products (e.g. GRADEpro, MAGICapp, RevMan, Panelview, Covidence)
  • Familiarity with WHO technical/administrative systems.

Language requirements:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

Knowledge of French.

Location

Off site: Remote work / home-based

Home-based, though generally expected to overlap with WHO Headquarters Core Hours (9:00-16:00, Central European Standard Time) with strong internet connectivity in order to participate in web-based meetings, as needed.

Travel

No travel is expected.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Pay band level C - USD 10,000 - 12,500 per month

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

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

6 to 11 months (further extension would be subject to funding availability, satisfactory performance and the needs of the Organization)

Expected start date (for first selection from the roster): 01/01/2022

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.
  • 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter 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 final candidates.
  • 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 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

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.

This vacancy is now closed.