Scientist (Quality Support Panels)

Contract

This is a P-4 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 168,113 USD and 216,746 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme):

The QNS Department sits within the Science Division. Its mandate is structured around four key roles:

1. Ensure that all normative and standard-setting (N&S) products meet WHO highest quality standards by providing tailored, state of the art methodological support and guidance

2. Support project teams developing N&S products by ensuring the utmost efficiency of the N&S process

3. Secure maximum country impact by helping to develop fit for purpose N&S products

4. Advance and ensure timely, peer-reviewed, and accessible scientific evidence and information, through the WHO Library and Digital Information Outreach, and the WHO Press

The QNS Department is made up of 5 units: Methods and Standards, Process Efficiency, Product Design and Impact, WHO Library and the Office of the Publisher. Within the department, the Methods and Standards unit is more specifically dedicated to:

1. Producing and continuously update robust quality-assured methodologies, building upon best practices as well as internal and external expertise

2. Providing tailored methodological support and guidance to Technical Dept. project teams, and consultation with regions

3. Ensuring highest-quality services from technically skilled subject matter experts in a diverse array of standard-setting methods, including but not limited to public engagement, clinical and social epidemiology, modelling, and implementation studies.

Organizational Context

Reporting to the Unit Head, Methods and Standards Unit, the Scientist is responsible for technical oversight and coordination of the quality assurance process for all N&S products that are not guidelines. The Scientist provides specialist advice to technical units that are developing N&S products that are not guidelines on process, methods and quality appraisal. The Scientist is the technical focal point within the Organization for the operation, maintenance and management of Quality Support Panels (QSP).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• As Secretary and Manager of the QSP, provide the specialist technical advice and guidance to technical units on methodological and procedural issues at initiation, planning, execution and finalization stages go the development of N&S products that are not guidelines.

• Review all submissions, request clarifications and reply to queries from technical units with submissions to the QSP; attend all meetings of the QSP; finalize the QSP annual report;

• Evaluate the quality, consistency, timeliness of the reviews and feedback from the QSP; evaluate and improve the efficiency, effectiveness of the QSP; assess the current processes and procedures to meet the needs of WHO;

• Build and expand the roster of members and chairs of the QSP with gender balance and diversity in expertise, perspective and geographical representation;

• Organize training, build capacity of the QSP reviewers and contribute to the overall Organizational capacity to develop and quality appraise NS products; coordinate with Regional and Country Offices for needs assessment and capacity building for the development and review of N&S products;

• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders and partners to ensure the effective, efficient functioning of the QSP to ensure high-quality WHO N&S products.

Main achievements include: Secretary and manage the QSP to provide consistent, predictable, timely and agile support to technical units in the quality appraisal of N&S products that are not guidelines.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree (corresponding to a Doctorate level degree) in public health, epidemiology, medicine or other related field.

Desirable: Additional post-graduate training courses in advanced epidemiology and research.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 7 years’ experience in the field of guideline development, research, policy or patient management.

Desirable: Experience with WHO, the UN or other international organizations; Familiarity with WHO technical/administrative systems.

Use of language skills

Excellent knowledge of English. Knowledge of French would be an asset.

Skills

Reporting to the Unit Head, Methods and Standards Unit, the Scientist is responsible for technical oversight and coordination of the quality assurance process for all N&S products that are not guidelines. The Scientist provides specialist advice to technical units that are developing N&S products that are not guidelines on process, methods and quality appraisal. The Scientist is the technical focal point within the Organization for the operation, maintenance and management of Quality Support Panels (QSP).

Specific skills required:

Familiarity with software applications used in evidence synthesis and guideline development (e.g. GRADEpro, MAGICapp, RevMan, Panelview, Covidence)

REMUNERATION

The salary is made up of two components: daily net base salary, which is linked to the grade and step 1, and a variable post adjustment that reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station (and which is subject to fluctuations on a monthly or mid-monthly basis).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Location: Off site - work can be performed via teleworking from any location respecting Geneva local time office hours.

Another 60 days contract may be offered subject to funding, continued need of functions and performance.

This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

A written test may be used as a form of screening.

In the event that your candidature is retained for an 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.

Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.