Consultant - Research and Publication

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1. Background In line with the Fourteenth General Programme of Work (GPW14), which emphasizes the critical role of evidence, innovation, and impact in accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3), the WHO Regional Office for Africa (WHO AFRO), through the Research, Digital Health and Innovation (RDI) Unit within the Health Systems and Services (HSS) Cluster, is intensifying efforts to strengthen research governance, ethical oversight and the dissemination and utilization of high-quality evidence across the African Region. Despite increasing recognition of the importance of research in informing policy and practice, significant gaps persist in research governance, coordination, and dissemination. At the same time, African research remains underrepresented in global scientific literature due to limited access to high-quality, regionally relevant publishing platforms. To address these challenges, WHO AFRO is in the advanced stages of establishing a WHO AFRO Public Health Journal, a peer-reviewed, open-access platform developed in strategic partnership with BMJ Publishing Group. The Journal aims to amplify African research and policy-relevant evidence, strengthen knowledge translation, and support evidence-informed decision-making across Member States. The Journal is scheduled for official launch at the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in August 2026. In parallel, WHO AFRO is undertaking efforts to revitalize the WHO AFRO Research Ethics Committee (WHO AFRO REC) and strengthen broader research governance mechanisms, including support to national health research ethics committees and capacity building across the Region. Given the strategic importance and advanced stage of these initiatives, as well as existing human resource constraints within the RDI Unit, there is a need to engage a consultant to provide dedicated technical and operational support. The consultant will play a key role in finalizing and operationalizing the WHO AFRO Public Health Journal, supporting the reactivation and functioning of the WHO AFRO REC, and advancing regional research governance and coordination efforts. This engagement will directly contribute to GPW14 impact areas, including strengthened evidence systems, enhanced ethical governance, improved knowledge dissemination, and accelerated translation of research into policy and practice in the African Region.

2. Deliverables

1. Support the establishment of the WHO AFRO journal in the provided timelines
a. Assist to finalize the agreement with BMJ
b. Help to establish the editorial board
c. Coordinate the official launching of the journal at the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in August 2026
2. Support work related to research governance both in WHO AFRO and in Member States
3. Provide support in other areas of the Research Unit

3. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

o Essential: Master’s degree in areas related to health research, public health or social sciences.
o Desirable: Certification in publishing, research ethics, bioethics, health research governance or research methodology.

Experience

o Essential: At least 7 years’ experience in health research, research systems
o Desirable: Experience with scientific publishing, editorial processes, and managing peer-reviewed journals in a regional or international context.

Skills and competencies

1. Strong functional knowledge of health research systems, research governance, and ethical review processes for research involving human participants.
2. Expertise in scientific writing, editorial standards and peer-reviewed journals management.
3. Familiarity with WHO or UN research governance frameworks, publication policies, or digital publishing platforms.
4. Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, donor institutions, Civil Society, and
other stakeholders.
5. Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder research initiatives, organizing committees, and providing training or mentorship in ethics and publication
practices.

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of spoken and written English.
Desirable: Working knowledge of French or another UN official language is an advantage.

4. Technical Supervision

The selected consultant will report to the Coordinator of Research, Digital Health and Innovation Unit

5. Location

Off-site - Home based

6. Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Band level B - USD 8,500 per 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

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.