Consultant Technical Writing of WHO Publications

Purpose of consultancy

WHO seeks a technical writing expert for incorporation of feedback received during a three-phase Interregional Field Exercises (IFX) and from the evidence review in the draft Minimum Operational Standards (MOS) and to prepare a final draft document ready to be published as a WHO normative product.

Background

The development of Rapid Response Mobile Laboratory (RRML) capacities is an important part of a global approach to deal with public health crises, natural disasters, and infectious disease outbreaks on an international scale. RRMLs provide critical laboratory diagnostic support in crisis situations and are an important asset of the global health emergency workforce. In 2018, the Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) at the WHO Regional Office for Europe established the RRML Network, driven by the European partner institutions of the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN), to advance and integrate RRMLs into existing preparedness and response structures and to standardize RRML operations in the field.

To strengthen the capacities and coordination of RRML in Europe and globally, WHE at the WHO Regional Office for Europe with Regional GOARN partner institutions and the GOARN Operational Support Team (OST) at WHO headquarters developed a conceptual framework to support RRML activities and establish minimum operational standards (MOS).

Each workstream developed a set of MOS including key actions and recommendations, which were compiled in a draft document. An additional workstream, Coordination and Interoperability in the field, is yet to be integrated into the draft standards.

As a next step, the draft MOS are tested and validated during a three-phase Interregional Field Exercise (IFX) for applicability, feasibility, and comprehensiveness, addressing each phase of the RRML deployment cycle. The recommendations from the exercises will be examined by technical experts for integration into the MOS.

Deliverables

The consultant will synthesize and integrate partner feedback and evidence review findings into draft Minimum Operational Standards for RRMLs, with structure and content aligned with WHO style and WHO normative product requirements:

Output 1: Preparation of a final draft of RRML Minimum Operational Standards (MOS) for publication as a normative WHO document.
Deliverable 1.1: Manage integration of technical feedback on RRML/MOS accumulated during a global review process (including feedback from 3 levels of WHO and from a global review group) and finalization of draft RRML/MOS for article editing. This includes:

• Alignment of the overall structure of the document

• Incorporation of final feedback from the RRML/MOS development group

• Finalization of RRML/MOS annexes

• Preparation of draft RRML/MOS for WHO clearance and publication

Deliverable 1.2: Contribute to the RRML global review process by participating in group discussion in the function of a rapporteur, including managing and sharing meeting minutes.
Deliverable 1.3: Integration of an adapted Classification system for RRMLs into draft RRML/MOS

Output 2: Project manage the drafting of articles in peer reviewed journals and coordinate with co-authors including: peer-reviewed publication: The IFX program as a tool for in-field refining of RRML/MOS
Deliverable 2.1: Preparation of a final manuscripts including adaptations to journal format requirements.
Deliverable 2.2: Article submission to the selected journal, management of the journal required revision process, manuscript finalization, and article publication.

Qualifications

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Master´s level university degree in communication, politics, international affairs, public health, life science or comparable.

Experience

Essential: 7 years of experience in the field of communication as well as writing and publication in peer-reviewed journals (writing of normative product would be an asset) and experience in emergency response and international field deployments, including mobile laboratories, is desired.
Desirable: Previous experience with the development of technical documents or communication material for WHO or another international public health organization.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential: Strong communication and writing skills and ability to analyze and distil technical information for informed decision-making.
Desirable: Familiarity with WHO emergency response.

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Working knowledge of any other UN language.

Location

Off-site (Home-based)

Remuneration

a. Remuneration: USD 430/day (Band level B)
b. Expected duration of contract: 3 months (45 working days)

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.

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