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Qualifications
Purpose of consultancy
The consultant will support activities to improve equitable access to health products for antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly antibiotics. This includes supporting the development and implementation the SECURE Initiative, a global initiative focused on improving access to new and existing antibiotics, being undertaken by WHO in partnership with GARDP. It also includes providing technical support for the development of WHO country operational guidance on the introduction and preservation of new antibiotics.
Background
The mission of the Antimicrobial Resistance Division is to define, advance, promote and monitor comprehensive policies and strategies that prevent, reduce, and mitigate drug-resistant infections and the overall impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) globally based on the Global Action Plan on AMR and the 13th Global Programme of Work of WHO and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The Impact Initiatives and Research Coordination (IRC) unit is responsible for priority-setting, coordination of research and development across the One Health spectrum and facilitating access to AMR-related health products. It develops and supports global initiatives, innovative partnerships and targeted instruments to enhance the global AMR response, in close collaboration with bilateral and multilateral institutions and other stakeholders. IRC is currently collaborating with GARDP on SECURE, an initiative to improve equitable access to new and existing antibiotics. This includes leading the development of WHO country operational guidance on the introduction and preservation of new antibiotics. A consultant is required to support activities related to SECURE, including the operational guidance being developed through a WHO Task Force.
Deliverables
- Deliverable 1: Develop draft of WHO Operational Guidance on the introduction and preservation of new antibiotics based on inputs received during a technical consultation of experts and stakeholders.
Provide technical input into the development and implementation of the SECURE Initiative: - Refine SECURE proof-of-concept based on feedback received from stakeholders.
- Adapt methodology and analysis for SECURE product selection and refine product shortlist, as needed. Support regional and/or country drug selection processes.
- Contribute to discussions with stakeholders/partners, including countries, suppliers, donors, etc, including preparation of presentations and briefing documents and following-up on action points.
- Provide technical input into SECURE tools/activities, in collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Deliverable 2: Develop checklist and costing tool to accompany WHO Operational Guidance on the introduction and preservation of new antibiotics. Convene WHO Task Force to refine operational guidance and provide feedback on tools, and incorporate feedback from Task Force into guidance document and tools.
Provide technical input into the development and implementation of the SECURE Initiative: - Develop costed operational plans for SECURE Proof-of-concept, including regional/country activities. Provide technical input into regional and/or country drug selection processes.
- Contribute to discussions with stakeholders/partners, including countries, suppliers, donors, etc., including preparation of presentations and briefing documents and following-up on action points.
- Provide technical input into SECURE tools/activities, in collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Coordinate planning and hold the Reserve Antibiotic Market Working Group.
- Deliverable 3: Coordinate internal and external peer review of draft WHO Operational Guidance on the introduction and preservation of new antibiotics – identify and engage reviewers, manage inputs and incorporate feedback into guidance document.
Provide technical input into the development and implementation of the SECURE Initiative: - Develop costed operational plans for SECURE Proof-of-concept, including regional/country activities. Provide technical input into regional and/or country drug selection processes.
- Contribute to discussions with stakeholders/partners, including countries, suppliers, donors, etc., including preparation of presentations and briefing documents and following-up on action points.
- Provide technical input into SECURE tools/activities, in collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Coordinate planning and hold the Reserve Antibiotic Market Working group.
- Deliverable 4: Finalize WHO Operational Guidance on the introduction and preservation of new antibiotics by incorporating final feedback from peer reviewers and WHO Task Force.
Support the development and implementation the SECURE Initiative: - Support the development of costed operational plans for SECURE Proof-of-concept, including regional/country activities. Support regional and/or country drug selection processes.
- Contribute to discussions with stakeholders/partners, including countries, suppliers, donors, etc, including preparation of presentations and briefing documents and following-up on action points.
- Provide technical input into SECURE tools/activities, in collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Support follow-up actions from the Reserve Antibiotic Market Working group.
- Deliverable 5: Coordinate publication of WHO Operational Guidance on the introduction and preservation of new antibiotics. Develop launch and dissemination plans; draft web content and communications materials, and support the planning of a technical webinar.
Provide technical input into the development and implementation of the SECURE Initiative: - Develop costed operational plans for SECURE Proof-of-concept, including regional/country activities. Provide technical input into regional and/or country drug selection processes.
- Contribute to discussions with stakeholders/partners, including countries, suppliers, donors, etc., including preparation of presentations and briefing documents and following-up on action points.
- Provide technical input into SECURE tools/activities, in collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Support follow-up actions from the Reserve Antibiotic Market Working group.
- Deliverable 6: Develop a costed plan for country pilot testing of the WHO Operational Guidance on the introduction and preservation of new antibiotics.
Provide technical input into the development and implementation of the SECURE Initiative: - Provide technical oversight and coordination support for proof-of concept activities.
- Support regional and/or country drug selection processes.
- Contribute to discussions with stakeholders/partners, including countries, suppliers, donors, etc, including preparation of presentations and briefing documents and following-up on action points.
- Provide technical input into SECURE tools/activities, in collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Deliverable 7: Coordinate launch of WHO Operational Guidance on the introduction and preservation of new antibiotics and undertake early dissemination activities. Consult with stakeholders, including WHO regional and country offices, on costed plan for pilot testing of the operational guidance and refine plan based on inputs received.
Provide technical input into the development and implementation of the SECURE Initiative: - Provide technical oversight and coordination support for proof-of concept activities.
- Support regional and/or country drug selection processes.
- Contribute to discussions with stakeholders/partners, including countries, suppliers, donors, etc, including preparation of presentations and briefing documents and following-up on action points.
- Provide technical input into SECURE tools/activities, in collaboration with internal and external partners.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications:
Essential:
- An advanced university degree (Masters level or above) in pharmacy, medicine, public health or international development.
Experience:
Essential:
- Over 10 years of professional experience focused on improving access to medicines;
- Experience working on issues related to antimicrobial resistance;
- Experience designing/implementing introduction strategies for new health products;
- Over 10 years’ experience in health product analysis, including market analysis and forecasting; and
- Experience working with WHO or other UN agencies.
Desirable:
- Experience coordinating WHO/UN Task Forces;
- Experience working with product development partnerships; and
- Experience working with/in the pharmaceutical sector.
Skills:
- Knowledge of policies and practices for the control of antimicrobial resistance;
- Knowledge of strategies to improve access to medicines, including new product introduction;
- Ability to conduct research and analyze results, including conducting health product market analysis;
- Excellent writing and communications skills, including the ability to synthesize complex concepts for diverse audiences;
- Ability to work effectively with a wide range of stakeholders both within and outside WHO;
- Ability to work efficiently under time pressure.
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 C – USD 10,000 – 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:
7 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