Consultant – Research Coordination and Harmonization

1. Background

The overall objective of the Research Unit is to lead and facilitate the processes for conducting country-led, well-coordinated, cross-organizational, high quality and outcome-focused research. The unit also works to generate impactful health research to improve the health of populations in the African Region. This contributes to building and sustaining resilient health systems that provide equitable access to quality essential health services to people across the life course using people-centered approaches.

The Unit seeks to facilitate the process of applying research to achieve impact for people’s health in the areas of research and development in the WHO African Region by: supporting countries to develop and implement policies and strategies for scaling-up the translation of new evidence and impact in Member States; promoting and supporting priority research in countries according to the unmet needs of Members States, including strengthening partnerships; and promoting appropriate options for governance for research, including promoting ethical considerations in related decision making. The goal is to enable countries in the WHO African Region to ensure evidence-based policies and strategies are in place to achieve universal access to high-quality, integrated, people-centered health services, increase the coverage and quality of effective interventions, and to create mechanisms to measure the impact of those strategies and interventions.

These terms of references are intended for a consultant for a three-month contract to support the Team Lead a.i to work on strengthening coordination and harmonization of research in the region including collaborations with research/academic institutions and networks.

Scope of work

1. Support coordination of key research activities including ethics review processes
2. Provide support for strengthening collaboration and engagement with WHO collaborating centers and the partner institutions in the region.
3. Support work aimed at strengthening national health research systems

4. Perform other related responsibilities as assigned.

5. Deliverables

• Contribute to developing a framework for National research development support
• Support the harmonization of existing and future health research activities in AFRO
• Support the strengthening of national health research systems
• Support the strengthening of collaborations and engagement on health research in the region

3. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

• Essential: Master’s Degree in areas related to health research or social sciences.
• Desirable: PhD in areas related to Public Health, health research or social sciences

Experience

• A minimum of seven years’ experience in research management, leadership and capacity building and strengthening, including experience in the area of health policies and strategies, complemented by experience in low- and middle-income countries. A minimum of five (2) years’ of combined national and international work experience in ethics review of human subjects research.

Desirable

• Experience in managing projects, policy formulation and strategic planning for health systems.

Skills and competencies

• Demonstrated knowledge of the current issues in association and scholarly journal publishing, including Open Access journals, use of the Internet, social media, pricing, education and scientific knowledge dissemination challenges
• Practical knowledge of ethics review and review processes for research with human subjects;
• Understanding of the regional normative landscape for research ethics;
• Excellent organizational skills and strict attention to details;
• Expertise in research, research methodologies and research capacity building and strengthening.
• Concrete skills in the planning and coordination of multidisciplinary public health research programmes
• Strong skills in the area of developing and establishing policies and strategies.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders.
• Proven expert knowledge in research and research management, as evidenced by recent record of publication in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Knowledge of ethics of research with human subjects

Languages

Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is essential. Working knowledge of French or another UN language is an advantage.

4. Technical Supervision

   The selected consultant will work under the supervision of the ARD at P4 level.

5. Location

   On site: WHO AFRO, Brazzaville

6. Travel: Yes

7. Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

   Rate: Monthly rate at P4 USD 8,500 per month.