Research Officer – P3  

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OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objective of the Research Coordination Unit is to provide leadership and facilitate the processes for strong research ecosystems. The WHO AFRO research programme focuses on supporting countries to develop high quality, country-led research. This work includes collaborating with academic institutions, research institutes and collaborating centres, promoting research ethics systems, promoting domestic investment for research as well as developing collaboration for funding important research and priority research work. The team is responsible for supporting multidisciplinary and multisectoral research activities and working to develop research capacities for research governance as well as for capacities in key disciplines. This contributes to building and sustaining resilient health systems that provide equitable access to quality essential health services to people across the life courses using people-centred approaches. The Unit seeks to facilitate the process of applying research to achieve impact for people’s health in the areas of research and development in the WHO African Region by supporting countries to develop and implement policies and strategies for scaling-up the translation of new evidence and impact in Member States; promoting and supporting priority research in countries according to the unmet needs of Members States, including strengthening partnerships and promoting appropriate options for governance for research, including promoting ethical considerations in related decision making. The goal is to enable countries in the WHO African Region to ensure evidence-based policies and strategies are in place to achieve universal access to high-quality, integrated, people-centered health services, increase the coverage and quality of effective interventions, and to create mechanisms to measure the impact of those strategies and interventions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Coordinating health research initiatives at the Regional Office in line with the Research workplan, ensure that objectives are met for each area of work Provide technical expertise in assisting Member States in formulating their National Health Research Programmes towards ensuring a coherent research ecosystem Provide secretariat support to the African Advisory Committee for Health Research and Development (AACHRD) and coordination of the recommendations of the committee Support in coordination of the Research Coordination workstream Support the Regional Office intramural research processes including the ethics review process, research publication review process and support the cross-cutting research work from other clusters Provide technical assistance in countries for priority setting, training and other key areas of the research ecosystem Support in developing the regional office research priorities agenda Monitor and provide support for implementation of the global and regional resolutions for research and related areas of work Perform other related responsibilities as assigned in his/her area of expertise, including replacing and backstopping, as required

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in humanities, a social or health science, law or in any other discipline related to the functions of the post, plus training on research ethics from a recognized university
Desirable: Training on bioethics, research management, and research methodology would be an asset.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of five (5) years’ of combined national and international work experience in ethics review of human subjects’ research. Management of research ethics committee using an online system for the review process.
Desirable: Experience conducting research ethics training, software use training, and implementing online systems for ethics review would be an asset. Experience in user experience development support and website management is highly desirable.

Skills

• Functional knowledge of research systems Understand important agenda in research for key diseases and other areas towards achieving SDGs Knowledge of ethics, priority setting skills. 
• Practical knowledge of ethics review and review processes for research with human subjects
• Technical expertise and skills with online systems for ethics review
• Strong professional, oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization
• Knowledge of research methodology
• Excellent organizational skills and strict attention to details.

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Producing results
5. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

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

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 64,121 (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 2768 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.
• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• 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.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff 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 staff. 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.
• 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 [email protected]
• 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 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.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.
• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• 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 [email protected].
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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