Consultant – Scientific Writer

Purpose of consultancy

The consultant will act as the scientific writer and contribute to the development and publication of key strategic and scientific documents.

Background

The Epidemic Forecasting and Infectious Hazard Strategies (EFI) Unit, under the Epidemic and Preparedness and Prevention (EPP) Department, serves by developing strategies on infectious hazards to protect the world from ongoing and future epidemic and pandemic threats. The areas of work include: 1) Epidemic Vulnerability Assessment (EVA), 2) Epidemic Forecasting, 3) Annual report on epidemic and pandemic threats, 4) Strategic and Technical Advisory Group on Infectious Hazards with Pandemic and Epidemic Potential (STAG-IH) Secretariat, 5) Infectious hazards horizon scanning and foresight, 6) publication of policies related to infectious hazards and relevant technical documents, e.g., normative guidance, evidence synthesis, and research agenda. The Unit also hosts innovative/novel initiatives as tasked by executive management of the Organization.

The Scientific Writer will contribute to the program by providing quality products in support to the discussion of WHO programs and STAG-IH.

Deliverables:

Output 1: Develop derivatives of the 1st annual report (2022) on pandemic and epidemic preparedness published early 2023.
Expected by: June 2023.

• Activity 1.1: To develop at least 3 LinkedIn posts for Director EPP.
• Activity 1.2: To develop at least 10 Twitter posts for Director EPP.

Output 2: Outline of the 2nd annual report (2023) on pandemic and epidemic preparedness revised based on experts feedback.
Expected by: July 2023.

• Activity 2.1: Organize meetings with relevant experts to gather their inputs.
• Activity 2.2: Integrate feedback from experts.
• Activity 2.3: Conduct literature reviews for areas requiring more information.

Output 3: Foresight article ready to be published.
Expected by: August 2023.

• Activity 3.1: Draft foresight article based on EFI recent activities in the areas.
• Activity 3.2: Facilitate the clearance process.
• Activity 3.3: Ensure timely publication in the WHO Weekly Epidemiological report and at least one peer-reviewed journal.
• Activity 3.4: Prepare relevant derivatives (PPT, LinkedIn or Twitter posts, etc.) as necessary.

Output 4: Inputs from the STAG-IH annual meeting integrated to the draft annual report.
Expected by: September 2023.

• Activity 4.1: Attend the STAG-IH annual report early October 2023 and take notes.
• Activity 4.2: Integrate main discussion points to the draft annual report.
• Activity 4.3: Prepare “STAG-IH recommendations” for distribution to Senior Leadership.

Output 5: Organize epidemics version 2 translated in the 6 UN languages.
Expected by: October 2023.

• Activity 5.1: Organize the process with the company hired to translate the Managing Epidemics v2.
• Activity 5.2: Facilitate the clearance process.
• Activity 5.3: Ensure timely publication of the translated versions.

Output 6: Content of the 2nd annual report (2023) on pandemic and epidemic preparedness finalized.
Expected by: November 2023.

• Activity 6.1: Finalize the annual report.
• Activity 6.2: Facilitate the clearance process.
• Activity 6.3: Follow up with designer and WHO Press to ensure timely publication.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced University degree degree in health, health sciences, life sciences.

Desirable:

• PhD in health, health sciences, or life sciences.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in scientific research.
• Demonstrated professional experience in evidence/literature review experience.
• Publication experience with peer-reviewed journal (attach publication list) as first author, or peer-reviewed journal.
• Demonstrated experience in technical editing.

Desirable:

• Experience related to infectious diseases.

Skills

• Expertise in copyediting with WHO style.
• Knowledge of research methods (public health, health science, epidemiology).
• Expertise in literature search.
• Expertise in reference/bibliography management.
• Knowledge of MS office (Word, Excel, PPT) and other essential software computer literacy.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of another WHO official language.

Location

Off-site: Home based.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B-USD USD 7,000 to 9,980 per month.

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

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

6 months.

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