JOB DESCRIPTION

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Purpose of consultancy

The Research, Ethics and Innovation (REI) unit under the Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI) group at WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) is seeking a consultant to provide technical and analytical support for the development of data repository of health research ecosystem components and the registry-based review of infectious disease trials in WPRO Member States.

Background

In recognition of the critical role of strengthening health research ecosystems in supporting health systems, the REI unit has been conducting situational analysis of health research in selected WPRO Member States to guide its work in the Region. This has also enabled the identification of input-process-output components of the national health research ecosystems. The REI unit seeks to expand this knowledge base to include all Member States through a comprehensive repository of country-level data that maps governance frameworks, funding flows, institutional structures, human resources, research activities, and examples of health research system outputs. This initiative provides a baseline for evidence-informed development of regional and national activities, capacity strengthening, and collaborations for strategic resource mobilization and support.

Concurrently, the REI unit has been performing a registry-based review of clinical research in Member States, yielding critical insights into 1) local capacity in designing, conducting, and financing clinical research, especially trials, 2) the state of regulatory and ethical oversight and standards at the national level, and 3) key areas where WHO can strengthen the research ecosystem. This initiative supports WHO’s work in strengthening clinical trial ecosystem to contribute to wider health system strengthening. Many lower middle-income countries in the region lack publicly available national clinical trial registries, limiting visibility into their clinical research priorities, resource allocation, and other essential health research capacity indicators. Therefore, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform-based study offers an efficient approach to generate insights on both the breadth and depth of local clinical trial capacity and priorities and can complement the findings from other ongoing clinical trial situational analyses in selected countries.

The consultant is expected to complement the work of REI and support the data extraction, management, and validation required to finalize the repository and the review.

Deliverables

Output 1: Repository of country-level dataset on key health research ecosystem components for all countries and areas in the Western Pacific region

Deliverable 1.1: By 15 October, perform relevant desk review to compile a data repository covering the following:

Health research governance (e.g., national health research policies/strategies/agenda, national research ethics committees)
Funding flows (e.g., grants, funding agencies)
Institutional structures and capacities (e.g., national institutes, specialized research units, research institutions)
Human resources (e.g., research training programmes, scientists, professional societies)
Research activities (e.g., collaborations, publications).

Deliverable 1.2: By 31 October, develop interactive visualization tools to explore and navigate the data repository.

Output 2: ICTRP-based review of infectious disease clinical trials in the Western Pacific region.

Deliverable 2.1: By 1 December, extract all relevant data and categorize entries based on predefined review rules.

Deliverable 2.2: By 15 December, perform independent validation of all extracted data by co-reviewers and all necessary quantitative and qualitative analyses.

Deliverable 2.3: By 31 December, produce publication-ready summary tables, figures and insights.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: An advanced degree in a relevant field such as public health, epidemiology, health sciences, or a related discipline from a recognized institution.

Desirable: A doctoral degree in a relevant field as described.

Experience

Essential: 5 to 10 years of research experience in public health or relevant health science or social science field, with extensive experience in performing evidence synthesis, especially systematic review;

Familiarity with health research systems and clinical research including clinical trials and international trial registries;

Proven track record for professional delivery of high-quality technical products at national and international levels.

Desirable: Relevant work experience with WHO and/or UN agencies, governmental agencies and/or international non-governmental organizations is desirable

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential: Proficiency in evidence synthesis including the conduct and reporting of systematic reviews and registry-based reviews (i.e., quantitative and qualitative analyses);

Expert-level proficiency in data extraction, cleaning, management, and visualization;

Proficiency in using at least one relevant data management and analysis software and/or programming language (e.g., R, STATA, SAS)

Languages and level required

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English language

Location

Off site: Home-based

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

a.Remuneration: Band B, USD400 daily (USD4,000 monthly)

b.Expected duration of contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year): Sep-Dec 2025, 4 months, 50%

Additional Information (For HR use only):

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements