Consultant – Innovation and Research (INR)

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Purpose of the Consultancy

The Innovation and Research (INR) unit under the Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI) Group in the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) is seeking a consultancy to provide support to the organization of the Expert Meeting on Accelerating Access to Human Genomics for Public Health on 29-30 April 2024.

Background

Genomics is a rapidly evolving field of science that uses biological information in DNA and RNA, along with methods from biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology to understand and advance solutions for medicine and public health. Although the full extent of its role in the future of human health remains unclear, advances in human genomics have led to new insights on the causes and mechanisms of human diseases and traits such as cancers, other non-communicable and metabolic diseases, congenital and rare diseases, paving the way for the development of precision public health genomics.
The journey of genomics in the context of global health policy can be traced back to the announcement of the sequencing of the human genome in 2001. Following this landmark achievement, the Advisory Committee on Health Research (ACHR) for WHO prepared its inaugural report on Genomics in 2002, titled “Genomics and World Health: Report of the Advisory Committee on Health Research.” This comprehensive report detailed the latest advances in genome research and explained how these developments could lead to clinical applications across various diseases. Simultaneously, it highlighted the potential risks associated with such research and underscored the need to address complex ethical issues in diverse social and cultural contexts of individual Member States. The report also made recommendations on how genomic research could contribute to health equity, particularly among developing countries. Building upon this report, the resolution WHA 57.13 on Genomics and World Health was endorsed in 2004.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the application of genomic technologies in various aspects of public health. Genomic tools played a pivotal role in expediting the development of diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines while enhancing our understanding of epidemiology. Governments and organizations increased funding for genomic research, particularly in the context of COVID-19. This surge in funding supported a plethora of genomic research projects, expanded sequencing capacity, and spurred the development of novel genomic technologies in both developed and developing nations. The pandemic also served to elevate genomics to the forefront of public awareness.
Recognizing the historic significance of genomics for public health and its heightened importance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WHO’s Science Council of experts designated genomics as the focus of its first report in 2022. The report, titled “Accelerating Access to Genomics for Global Health: Promotion, Implementation, Collaboration, and Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues: A Report of the WHO Science Council”, recognizes the applications of genomics in humans, animals, and agriculture across high-, low-, and middle-income countries, as well as the challenges in implementing genomic technologies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It makes recommendations for WHO and Member States to take actions and expand access to genomic technologies, particularly in LMICs.

To further these objectives and identify priority actions for the implementation of genomic technologies for the health of populations in the Western Pacific Region with a focus on less-resourced settings, WHO will convene an expert meeting aimed at facilitating discussions with both state and non-state stakeholders. Although the Science Council’s report encompasses a wide spectrum of genomic technologies, this meeting will primarily focus on human genomics for medical purposes, and biological and medical Research. Genomic areas outside this scope, such as microbial genomics, agriculture and aquaculture genomics, and other applications (e.g., ancestry and parentage assessment, environmental and ecological sciences, forensic science), will not be included in the meeting’s agenda.

Planned timelines

Start date: 1 February 2024
End date: 31 May 2024

Deliverables

The work shall be performed virtually and will require regular meetings with the technical unit. The service provider is required to:
• perform research and literature review as necessary to capture relevant information related to the programme agenda, key topics, themes, and issues to be discussed
• communicate with potential participants and experts from different countries in the Region
• prepare materials and information packages for the use of meeting
• arrange for documentation and recording of the meeting (e.g. photography, note-taking)
• carry out follow-up activities including the meeting report development to summarize the meeting’s proceedings and outcomes
• other related technical and logistical activities pertinent to the organization of the meeting

Output 1: Finalized meeting agenda
Deliverable 1.1: Finalize the meeting agenda outlining the schedule, topics, sessions, speakers and any other relevant information based on participants’ background and profile.

Output 2: Meeting materials
Deliverable 2.1: Handouts, presentation slides, informational packets, and any other printed or digital materials to be distributed to meeting participants

Output 3: Meeting report
Deliverable 3.1: A summary meeting report of key outcomes, decisions, and recommendations resulting from the meeting
Deliverable 3.2: A comprehensive documentation of the meeting’s proceedings and outcomes.

Qualifications, experience, skills and knowledge, and language

Qualifications required:

The applicant should have a master’s degree in public health or other relevant field from a recognized university.

Experience required:

A least 5 years of work experience in global health agencies in positions with research and project management components.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

– Demonstrated skills in project management
– Strong communication skills
– Proven track record for professional delivery of high-quality products
– Demonstrated ability of working in a high-level environment at an international level, and ability to collaborate across different disciplines
– Relevant work experience with WHO and/or UN agencies, governmental agencies and/or non-governmental organizations
– Excellent writing skills in English, including for technical and general audience

Language requirements:

Written and spoken fluency in English (expert: read – write – speak)

Place of assignment

This is a hybrid project that involves off-site and on-site consultancy. The consultant must be physically present in Manila for one week before and one week after the meeting period.

Travel

The supplier/contractor may be required to travel occasionally for tasks that require in-person communication.

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.
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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.
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