Scientist - Research for Implementation

Overview

Lead interdisciplinary research on infectious diseases of poverty.

You have:

• Advanced university research degree in a field relevant to global public health research such as biology, public health, medical sciences, epidemiology or another related scientific discipline relevant to the field.
• At least 7 years of experience in clinical, epidemiological or disease control programme-related operational and implementation research.
• At least 3 years of experience contributing to the translation of research evidence into policy in low and middle-income countries.
• Proven achievement in grant management.
• Proven achievement in fundraising and resource leveraging.
• Publication record with at least 10 publications in peer-reviewed journals demonstrating a track record in collaborative research.
• Expert knowledge of English.
• Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 169,932 USD and 219,092 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.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objective of the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases(TDR) is to foster an effective global research effort on infectious diseases of poverty in which disease endemic countries play a pivotal role. The objective of the Research for Implementation (IMP) unit is to foster partnerships and collaborations in order to develop, evaluate and optimize research for implementation that generates evidence for the control and/or elimination of diseases of poverty.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Initiate, lead and manage interdisciplinary projects and initiatives for implementation research to generate the evidence needed to inform policies and guidelines for implementing or scaling up innovations for improved control and/or elimination of infectious diseases of poverty and translating them into practice.

2. Ensure through collaboration with the TDR grantees, through input into research protocols and implementation plans and through ensuring that all required ethical and governmental approvals are obtained that studies involving human subjects are conducted with the highest standards of ethics and good clinical and research practice and in accordance with local laws.

3. Provide scientific technical advice and guidance to TDR grantees and their national and international collaborators to ensure the implementation of research will result in scientifically valid data that can support policies and guidelines for scaling up innovations for improved control and/or elimination of infectious diseases of poverty at country and global levels.

4. Manage the administration and financial reporting of the projects led to ensure their time monitoring and evaluation within TDR and by TDR external advisory committees and governing bodies for alignment with department and unit objectives.

5. Build and/or maintain partnerships with other WHO units in headquarters, regional or country offices, with TDR co-sponsor agencies (UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank) and with intergovernmental, international or national partners that co-fund or provide other contributions to TDR-supported research to ensure effective collaborations for the smooth conduct of the scientific research and utilization of its outputs to inform guidelines and policies.

6. Identify funding opportunities and lead the preparation of proposals to raise and/or leverage funds for TDR-supported research and collaborate on funding proposals prepared by others in the Unit or TDR.

7. Conduct the monitoring and evaluation of the implementation and translation research initiatives to generate evidence for scaling up innovations for improved control and/or elimination of infectious diseases in poverty

8. Write scientific reports for the projects led and collaborate in the writing reports for other unit projects and TDR overall to be presented to donors, stakeholders or governing bodies and the public.

9. Collaborate with TDR grantees on scientific publications and with the TDR communication unit on the dissemination of the activities, results and outcomes.

10. Communicate effectively on these activities and contribute to other TDR projects and activities as required.

11. Performs all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university research degree in a field relevant to global public health research such as biology, public health, medical sciences, epidemiology or another related scientific discipline relevant to the field. Desirable: PhD or Doctorate level degree in a field relevant to global public health research such as biology, public health, medical sciences, epidemiology or another related scientific field discipline relevant to the field.

Experience

Essential:

• At least7 years of experience and exposure at the national and international level in clinical, epidemiological or disease control programme-related operational and implementation research.

• At least3 years of experience in contributing to the translation of research evidence into policy in low and middle-income countries.

• Proven achievement in grant management.

• Proven achievement in fundraising and resource leveraging

• Proven experience in strengthening research and research implementation capacities ofLMIC institutions and national programmes

• Publicationrecord with at least 10 publications in peer-reviewed journals demonstrating a track record in collaborative research

• Strong track record in operational and implementation research on infectious diseases of poverty in LMIC and the ability to advise on good practices for research, project management and research ethics.

Desirable:

• Experience in neglected tropical diseases, malaria and/or tuberculosis research.

• Experience in health research among hard-to-reach populations.

• Publicationrecord includes at least 5 publications as first, second or last author.

• Publicationsdemonstrate a track record in interdisciplinary research.

• Experience working in public health programmes in disease-endemic countries.

• Experience in policy development, working with policymakers or as a decision maker.

• Experience in the UN System or WHO.

Skills

• Strong scientific skills and knowledge in the operations and implementation of research on infectious diseases of poverty in low and middle-income countries (LMIC) and the ability to advise on good research practices with an emphasis on research in vulnerable populations, project management and research ethics.
• Strong skills in developing scientific guidelines, strategies or policies in the field of infectious disease.
• Strong skills in fundraising, grant management, and resource leveraging. Broad knowledge of the infectious diseases of poverty.
• Demonstrated appreciation of the requirements associated with the implementation of research in LMIC.
• Ability to work in a team, and collaborate with other experts and colleagues.
• Good written and oral communication skills and ability to manage and effectively negotiate interactions with internal and external partners including funders.
• Demonstrated project management skills, ability to lead, guide and motivate partners towards success, and capacity to manage and plan projects in relation to objectives.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 75,602 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 4845 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• 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 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.

• 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.

Potential interview questions