Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical and methodological input to advance the normative work in knowledge translation, contribute to the development of a WHO Global Knowledge Translation Research Agenda, and the operationalization of the WHO Coalition of Partners on Evidence to Policy and the Action Plan of the WHO Evidence-informed Policy Network (EVIPNet).

Background

The Evidence to Policy and Impact (ERP) Unit in the Research for Health Department/Science Division has the dual mandate, both within the Organization and with Member States, to support and strengthen the regular use of context-specific research evidence to accelerate the achievement of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into the limelight the need to strengthen and institutionalize evidence-informed decision-making and to establish sustainable, multisectoral collaboration for health policy and practice. Building on COVID-19 lessons learned and to increase country resilience against future crises, the Evidence to Policy and Impact Unit is looking for a consultant to expand its work in view of soliciting high-level commitment, set a global Knowledge Translation Research Agenda, and provide technical and normative assistance to Member States on evidence-to-policy/action mechanisms.

Deliverables

Specific deliverables will be pre-defined for each consultancy. The consultant is expected to perform a variety of tasks, including but not limited to the following:

  • Provide technical input and methodological guidance to the development and application of new knowledge translation norms, tools and standards, including conducting evidence syntheses and expanding the portfolio of WHO E2P tools accessible in the WHO EIDM repository of tools.
  • Conceptualize, plan and contribute to the development of a WHO Global Knowledge Translation Research Agenda, including:
    • Finalize the methodological approach and contribute to its implementation.
    • Organize and facilitate a series of stakeholder consultations.
    • Conduct web-based surveys and other consensus-building methods.
    • Ensure close engagement and involvement of the three levels of the Organization.
    • Incorporate findings into a summary document.
  • Conceptualize, plan, and organize high-level ERP events, including a WHO Global Evidence-to-Policy Summit at the three levels of the Organization, in August 2023.
  • Develop and contribute to the implementation and monitoring of plans aimed at continued engagement, outreach and operationalization of the WHO Coalition of Partners on Evidence to Policy and the related Action Plan of the WHO Evidence-informed Policy Network (EVIPNet).
  • Provide technical expertise and guidance to strengthen Member States’ capacity to identify, generate, translate and use evidence for policy, including the provision of country trainings and the review of knowledge translation products produced by national stakeholders.
  • Provide input and/or develop short-term and medium-term operational and strategic plans to implement WHO Evidence to Policy work at the three levels of the Organization.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

  • Advanced university degree in public health or health policy, epidemiology, political or social sciences, international relations, public affairs or communications.

Desirable:

  • Advanced university degree (PhD level) in any of the above-mentioned disciplines.

Experience

Essential:

  • At least seven years of relevant experience performing systematic evidence reviews.
  • Demonstrated technical experience in the development of complex research questions and reviewing the associated literature with high efficiency to develop evidence review briefing reports to leadership.

Desirable:

  • Experience working with WHO.
  • Solid list of research publications with a focus on health policy, health policy analysis, knowledge translation, monitoring and evaluation, including the publication of tools promoting evidence-informed decision-making.

Skills/Knowledge:

  • Strong conceptual and analytical skills.
  • Adapts readily and efficiently to changing priorities and demands.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Demonstrated advanced skills in knowledge translation and evidence-to-policy/action processes, including in production of evidence syntheses.
  • Demonstrated skills in working with multisectoral and -disciplinary teams across a wide range of content topics.
  • Working knowledge of WHO technical units and processes.
  • Written and verbal communication skills in presenting evidence and information on complex health topics, with ability to tailor the presentation to specific audiences.

Languages required:

Essential:

  • Expert knowledge of English

Location

Off-site - Home based.

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B - USD 7,000 - 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:

Contract duration varies from 1 to 11 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

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.

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