Operational Research Consultant, Cairo, Egypt At World Health Organization (WHO)


Operational Research Consultant

( 2309091 )

Contractual Arrangement : External consultant

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 2 months

Job Posting: Oct 11, 2023, 12:27:06 PM

1. Purpose of consultancy

The main objective of this consultancy is to identify and articulate specific emergency operational research needs; improve access to and the use of research evidence for programme planning and implementation; and create an enabling environment for countries to use operational research findings for programme and policy decision making.

2. Background

The Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) is committed to saving lives, minimizing suffering and providing relief during times of crisis. We work with Member States and partners in the EMR across the emergency management cycle to prevent, prepare for, detect, respond to, and recover from emergencies due to all hazards that pose a risk to health and wellbeing by:

  •  Enhancing local capacities for early detection of health emergencies, especially those due to diseases of epidemic and pandemic potential;
  •  Assessing and address gaps in national preparedness for emergencies, with emphasis on implementation of the International Health Regulations;
  •  Scaling up country capacities to effectively respond to acute and protracted emergencies through consistent application of emergency management best practices;
  •  Supporting robust national response to emergencies, through timely and effective deployment of WHO HR, emergency supplies, and technical assistance.

The Health Emergency Programme is seeking the services of a consultant to support and strengthen the uptake of and the regular use of context-specific research evidence to improve programme planning, implementation, decision making in order to enhance emergency management capacities across the region.

3. Work to be performed

The WHE operational research consultant will act as a knowledge broker to bridge the gap between research, policy and practice for Emergency Preparedness, Response, Surveillance, and Information Management. The consultant will work closely with the four EMRO WHE units (CPI, HIM, EMI, IHP) as well the EMR WCO to enhance coordination of research efforts, prevent duplication, and streamline activities within the EMR health emergencies programme.

Proposed TORs include and are prioritised as follows:

  •  to propose an agenda for emergency operational research in the EMR, with special emphasis on health security, international health regulations, emergency preparedness and response and Health information management.
  •  To engage regional and global partners, donors and academic institutions with the design of advocacy material and strategy for operational research

This will be done through four sets of activities, in full collaboration with WHE and SID divisions: TOR 1: to propose an agenda for emergency research in the EMR, with special emphasis on health security, international health regulations, emergency preparedness and response

Activity: building consensus on a prioritized agenda for research in the EMR, with special emphasis on health security, IHR, emergency preparedness and response and health information management within FCV countries; organizing working sessions/discussions with EMRO WHE and EMR WCO to ensure an appropriate list of research statements is prepared / ranked / disseminated

Output 1: draft agenda for emergency research priorities in the EMR, with special emphasis on health security, IHR, emergency preparedness and response, based on related information sources, technical programme priorities and outcomes of dialogue with WHE staff on regional and country levels

Output 2: Update, if necessary, the Request for Proposal (RFP) Template for identified research priorities to support the implementation of research projects

TOR 2: To engage regional and global partners, donors and academic institutions with the design of advocacy material and advocacy strategy for operational research.

Activity: adapt the HIM Resource Mobilisation (RM) strategy and logical framework to the operational research for WHE and produce advocacy material to engage partners (e.g., PPT, flyers…)

Output: Support the production of advocacy material for operational research (e.g., social media material, PPT presentations, flyers) guided by the HIM Resource Mobilisation (RM) strategy and logical framework, in collaboration with CRP and SID shared with WHE RED and PAMs

TOR 3 (if time): to map and assess health research capacity of EMR academic institutions, with respect operational research related to emergency preparedness and response

Activity: Conducting a regional survey on health research capacity assessment of lead EMR academic institutions, with special emphasis on operational research related to emergency preparedness and response (EPR)

Output: draft report on research capacity of selected academic institutions on emergency preparedness and response (EPR) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). This report would contain a line list of the main academic institutions with contact points, in addition to information on resources (human, technical, logistic), training facilities, track record in support of EPR operational research, possible collaboration with WHO.

4. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

  •  Master’s degree in Public health, emergency preparedness/response/surveillance or any related area

Experience:

  •  Essential:
  •  5 to 10 years relevant experience conducting independent research, analysis and publishing health related issues in low-income countries
  •  Documented field-based experience and exposure to fieldwork in low-income countries and/ or vulnerable settings
  •  Experience with quantitative and/or qualitative research methodologies and experience applying them in public health context
  •  Experience of supporting organisational and capacity development of national actors in an international context
  •  Practical experience of working in support of national partner organisations, establishing and developing partnerships
  •  Demonstrable experience in Calls for Proposals and managing research grants
  •  Desirable:

Experience in working in government, UN or health emergency settings

Skills/Technical skills and knowledge:

  •  Excellent technical writing skills with focus on epidemiological content including track record experience publishing public health / epidemiology papers in peer reviewed publications
  •  Good communication and interpersonal skills ability to communicate to multiple audiences, including donors and academics
  •  Demonstrated experience in working in multi partners programmes
  •  Demonstrated Ability to work in a multicultural team and maintain effective working relationships with recognized experts and stakeholders
  •  Strong commitment and ability to deliver work on time under tight deadlines
  •  Strong methodological and analytical skills, with the ability to conduct research, identify and analyze literature relevant to the programme area
  •  Good planning and organizational skills, attention to detail and the ability to multi-task and work under pressure
  •  Strong IT skills: MS Word, Excel, PPT presentation software, web search engines

Languages and level required:

o Essential: Expert knowledge of English

o Desirable: French or Arabic

5. Location

Cairo, Egypt

6. Planned timelines (Subject to confirmation)

Start date: 01/11/2023

End date: 31/12/2023

7. Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

8. Travel

Travel expected in EMR and globally.

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 .
  •  The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States ( https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

  •  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.
  •  WHO shall have no responsibility 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.
  •  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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