Consultant – WHO TAG-CO-VAC Secretariat

Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical expertise to the Secretariat of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC) within the Epidemic and Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness (EPP) Department.

Background

Since its emergence in late 2019, the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has continued to pose a threat to the performance of COVID-19 countermeasures. Adjustments of vaccine composition may be needed to optimize the performance of COVID-19 vaccines due to the emergence of variants of concern (VOCs). To assist countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) is assessing the impact of VOCs on countermeasures and provide, as appropriate, recommendations to adapt them. To support this work, WHO established the TAG-CO-VAC in September 2021, a multidisciplinary group of 18 experts whose main functions are to: 1) Make recommendations to WHO on the methods to assess the impact of VOCs on vaccines; 2) Provide interpretation of available evidence on the effect of VOCs on vaccines, including but not limited to vaccine effectiveness; and 3) Recommend to WHO, for each COVID-19 vaccine platform, adaptations (if any) needed so that vaccines continue to safely provide WHO-recommended levels of protection against VOCs.

The TAG-CO-VAC works closely with other WHO advisory groups – such as that of the Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE), the Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) and its Working Group on COVID-19 Vaccines, and the working groups of the WHO R&D Blueprint for Epidemics – and consults regulatory agencies and vaccine manufacturers

Deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: Finalize the re-appointment process for TAG-CO-VAC members; Expected by: 31 December 2022.
• Deliverable 2: Facilitate the drafting and submission of a scientific article authored by TAG-CO-VAC Members and Secretariat to a peer-reviewed journal for publication; Expected by: 31 January 2023.
• Deliverable 3: Facilitate the convening of an in-person meeting of the TAG-CO-VAC; Expected by: 31 March 2023.
• Deliverable 4: Coordinate the operational support of the TAG-CO-VAC Secretariat, including the preparatory and reporting work for monthly meetings, the drafting of content for external communication, and the facilitation of internal coordination with other technical areas; Expected by: 31 May 2023.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced degree in public health, epidemiology or a related health field.

Desirable:

• A PhD in one of the above-mentioned fields.

Experience

Essential:

• At least five years’ experience working in health emergencies preparedness and response at the international level.

Desirable:

• Experience working with high-level experts in the fields of virology, immunology, epidemiology or vaccine assessment, coordinating, supporting, and communicating their technical work.
• Previous experience with WHO or another international organization.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Demonstrated knowledge of vaccine effectiveness assessment and capacity to provide inputs.
• Ability to develop, maintain and strengthen relationships with a broad range of technical counterparts and institutions, complemented by excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multi-task and produce results under pressure within short deadlines.
• Ability to write in a clear and effective manner.

Desirable:

• Diplomacy, tact and courtesy.

Languages required:

Essential

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable

• Intermediate knowledge of French or another UN language.

Location

Off-site: Home based.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Level Band A-USD 198 - 349 per day.

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

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

6 Months (4 days a month).

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 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