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Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy

To collaborate with the WHO team and country project teams working on the ACTION III trial, to verify ongoing data collection, run analyses and provide feedback to the country teams, and to the stakeholders including the data safety and monitoring board.

Background  

The ACTION III trial comprises a multi-country, multi-center, three-arm, parallel group, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of antenatal corticosteroids for women at risk of imminent birth in late preterm periods in hospitals in low-resource countries to improve newborn outcomes. 7 country teams from the SEARO and AFRO regions are implementing the study. 

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1:
  • To interact with each country project team from different WHO regions and the technical unit to discuss issues identified with accruing data. 
  • To follow up with each country team, trouble shoot and advise on issues related to data management. 

The deliverable will be a quarterly report on the database monitoring done with each country team, issues identified, and solutions provided. 

• Deliverable 2:
  • Conduct interim analysis of data including serious adverse events and preparation of quarterly statistical reports for the data safety and monitoring boards. 

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• University degree in a public health related field, nutrition /global health/ development studies.

Desirable:

• Master’s degree in epidemiology and biostatistics.

Experience

Essential:

At least 4 years of relevant experience in the field of research and data analysis, including:

• Experience with research, data management and analysis in perinatal medicine.
• Experience of data support in large multicounty trials in the area of newborn health clearly demonstrable.
• Experience of preparation of interim data reports for DSMBs for perinatal trials clearly demonstrable.
• International peer reviewed publications in the area of newborn health/ perinatal studies.

Desirable:

• Previous experience with WHO-coordinated multi-center studies.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Strong knowledge and fluency in SAS/STATA.
• Knowledge of preparing interim data reports for DSMB perusal.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of executing a trial statistical analysis plan from a database perspective

Languages required:

Essential:  

• Expert knowledge of English.

Location 

Off-site – Home based.

Travel 

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level A – USD 3,955 – 6,980 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.
• 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