..

Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy

To provide advice in developing technical tools and guidances to accelerate the work on NTD Diagnostics, Antimicrobial resistance and Integrated Intervention Strategies, towards the achievement of NTD Road Map 2021-2030

Background

The NTD road map 2021–2030 identifies diagnostics as critical gaps to reach the ambitious targets that the road map sets out. Accurate, reliable, and affordable diagnostic tools are an essential requirement for NTD programmes. Noting these gaps and based on the recommendation of the WHO NTD Strategic and Technical Advisory Group, the department established a Diagnostic Technical Advisory Group (DTAG) for NTDs in 2019. The main role of the DTAG is to review and prioritize diagnostic needs and use cases, support the development of target product profiles for prioritized needs, advise on test development, validation, and the development of strategies to enhance access. The road map also emphasizes the need for a stronger strategic engagement with partners, development of R&D needs, and reviewing and addressing missing tools and guidance.

Due to the diversity and epidemiological complexity of NTDs, no single national programme has the full capacity or competence to provide complete laboratory diagnostics support to NTD programmes. In this sense it is critical to establish or strengthen NTD lab networks, taking stock of few existing NTD and other related infectious disease lab networks.

Another focus area is the validation of new diagnostic tests and facilitating the regulatory pathways as part of the end-to-end approach to address all the main access barriers. NTD diagnostics do not currently fall within the scope of WHO prequalification, however, ensuring the quality and performance of these tests is critical for NTD programmes in all endemic countries.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: NTD Diagnostics and Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
  • Ensure high quality communication within the DTAG,  DTAG disease specific and cross cutting subgroups, the WHO Secretariat, and other stakeholders to align all parties to the overall NTD diagnostic development and access agenda.
  • Organization of meetings of the DTAG and its subgroups including drafting of agendas and preparing meeting reports and recommendations.
  • Facilitate meetings of the NTD diagnostics Resource Mobilization Group.
  • Facilitate the development of publication of deliverables by the DTAG and its subgroups including Target Product Profiles, positions statements, manuscripts for journals.
  • Contribute to the establishment of NTD laboratory capacity and network initiative including the development, maintenance and updating of NTD lab databases, quality assurance & control standards.
  • Update the landscape analysis for NTD diagnostics including pipeline NTD diagnostics list and the NTD web page for diagnostics.
  • Develop advocacy materials for NTD diagnostics and prevention of AMR including review of evidences and drafting of manuscripts.
• Deliverable 2: Expert Review Panel for NTD diagnostics (ERPD for NTD),
  • Identify the new diagnostics to be evaluated by ERPD and draft the invitation to manufacturers in collaboration with NTD programmes.
  • Conduct the screening of submitted dossiers to ERPD, and liaise with ERPD coordinator.
  • Contribute to the resubmission for the products under ERPD oversight.
  • Maintain the list of ERPD recommended products.
  • Facilitate organization of meetings/workshops/conferences with NTD IVD manufacturers.
• Deliverable 3: Integrated interventions & new tools,
  • Draft manuals, SoPs or any guidance documents to promote integrated NTD interventions.
  • Review and draft documents on inter-unit and inter-departmental cross cutting initiatives, programmes.
  • Prepare presentations, draft talking points, and advocacy materials on related areas.
• Deliverable 4: R&D Blueprint,
  • Prioritization of NTD diagnostic tests & contribute to the development R&D Blueprint on diagnostics and AMR.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in Public Health, Medicine or Health sciences.

Experience

Essential:

• At least ten years’ experience with global health programmes and minimum 5 years’ experience working in NTDs and diagnostics area.
• Experience in diagnostics, evaluation of diagnostics, laboratory science.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential:

• Excellent technical competence in the control and elimination of NTDs, in-depth understanding of the NTD roadmap 2021-2030 and its strategic shifts.
• Strong communication skills to convey complex information to policymakers, partners, healthcare professionals, manufacturers and the public.
• Strong writing, motivational and organizational skills.

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of WHO functions, roles and responsibilities in the fight to control and eliminate Neglected Tropical Diseases.
• Understanding of current WHO technical advisory groups on NTDs, knowledgeable of the donor landscape for NTDs.

Languages and level required

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of French or other UN languages

Location

Offsite: Home-based

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded)

Remuneration

Band level C: USD 10,000 – USD 12,500 per month

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited)

N/A

Expected duration of contract

11 months

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.
• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates    .
• 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

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements