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Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy

Provide epidemiological analysis and expertise to the R&D Blueprint and Collaborative Open Research Consortiums (CORC) and other health emergencies developing the modelling agenda and research programme. The consultant will also contribute to the analysis of the Solidarity Trial Vaccines.

Background

The R&D Blueprint for epidemics is a global strategy and preparedness plan that allows the rapid activation of research and development activities during epidemics. Its aim is to fast-track the availability of effective tests, vaccines and medicines that can be used to save lives and avert large scale crises. Information on the activities  can be found here Blueprint (who.int). At the core of its efforts lies the concept of ‘Pathogen Prioritization’ to target medical countermeasure research on pathogens that have the greatest risk of causing a future epidemic, pandemic or PHEIC.

To implement this new scientific framework, WHO is partnering with global research institutions to establish Colalborative Open Research Consortiums (CORCs) for each pathogen family. Each consortium will be anchored by a WHO Collaborating Centre that will serve as the research hub. CORCs will include researchers, developers, funders, regulators, and trial experts to foster collaboration and promote equitable participation—especially from regions where these pathogens are known or likely to circulate. This decentralized structure ensures representation from high-, middle-, and low-income countries, enhancing the global response to emerging health threats.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Contribute to the analysis of the secondary endpoint of the Solidarity Trial Vaccines expected by second quarter of 2025.
• Deliverable 2: Set up the mathematical modelling groups to support the CORCs.
• Deliverable 3: Contribute toward the development of the modelling workplan for the CORCs.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential:

• Advanced degree in epidemiology or mathematical modelling.

Desirable:

• First university degree in epidemiology.

Experience

Essential:

• 15 years of experience in infectious disease transmission, disease burden, vaccination impact, seroprevalence studies, and epidemiology.

Desirable:

• Previous experience with WHO projects in infectious disease modelling and economic analysis.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential:

• Ability to develop and refine mathematical models for infectious diseases

Desirable:

• Proficiency in programming and using computational tools

Languages and level required

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English

Desirable:

• Basic knowledge of French

Location

Offsite: 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

11 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.
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  The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. 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 for WHO jobs.
  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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
• WHO shall have no responsibility 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.
• 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].
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• 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

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements