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QUALIFICATIONS

Purpose of consultancy

To build on the findings of the papers in a special journal supplement and further refine and implement a research priority setting exercise regarding the sexual and reproductive health of very young adolescents using a methodology recognized by WHO.

Background

In 2010, WHO/HRP convened an expert group meeting to define research priorities on sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of very young adolescents. At that meeting, ten priorities were proposed including items related to research, programs, and policies: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/70569.

Objectives for the 2023 Stocktaking exercise: In consultation with both collaborators and HRP’s Gender Advisory Panel, plans were developed in 2022 to 1) take stock of what has been learned regarding young adolescents since 2010 and 2) to identify research, program, and policy priorities for the next decade. To accomplish these objectives, a global advisory board was convened to provide guidance for the commissioned papers and the stocktaking exercise to be published in a special supplement.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Research priority setting exercise protocol.
  Expected by 12 April 2024
  • Activity 1.1: Review the manuscripts submitted for the special journal supplement.
  • Activity 1.2: Using the priority recommendations proposed in the manuscripts as a basis, develop a research priority setting exercise protocol based on a methodology recognized by WHO: A systematic approach for undertaking a research priority-setting exercise: guidance for WHO staff.
• Deliverable 2: A list of priority research questions.
  Expected by 30 September 2024
  • Activity 2.1: Identify and recruit stakeholders working in the area of adolescent sexual and reproductive health including researchers, practitioners, policy makers, professional associations, advocates and civil society groups.
  • Activity 2.2: Use participatory methods to identify and refine a list of domains and questions.
  • Activity 2.3: Use quantitative methods to rank and prioritize questions and analyze the results.
  • Activity 2.4: Participate in regular meetings with WHO/HRP staff and an advisory group to provide updates or flag any issues to be raised about the methodology for the research priority setting.
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• Deliverable 3: Presentation of the findings to support dissemination.
  Expected by 31 October 2024
  • Activity 3.1: Present the preliminary findings to an advisory group convened by WHO/HRP and incorporate their inputs.
  • Activity 3.2: Develop a presentation of research priorities including an interactive map organizable by different tags (regional, thematic, type of stakeholders), as well as other dissemination products and activities.
• Deliverable 4. Publication in a peer reviewed journal.
  Expected by 13 Dec 2024
  • Activity 4.1: Produce a research manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and respond to feedback from reviewers/editors.
  • Activity 4.2: Disseminate the results of the exercise to stakeholders through organizing and participating in webinars and other communication/dissemination activities once the results are completed.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in public health or other relevant field.

Desirable:

• PhD in public health or other relevant field.

EXPERIENCE:

Essential:

• Over 10 years relevant experience in areas relating to adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
• Experience in developing research/systematic review protocols.
• Experience using mixed methods, including data analysis.

Desirable:

• Experience with a systematic research priority setting methodology recognized by WHO.
• Experience with collaborative submissions and involving individuals, firms or organizations the Global South.

SKILLS:

• Demonstrated expertise within the field of adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
• Competence using research priority setting methodologies.
• Ability to work independently and efficiently whilst working remotely from other members of the team.
• Accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to produce high-quality outputs whilst working to meet short deadlines.
• Track record of leading peer-reviewed publications within the field of adolescent sexual and reproductive health.

LANGUAGES REQUIRED:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

Intermediate knowledge of French, Spanish or another UN language.

LOCATION

Off site: Home-based.

TRAVEL

The consultant is not expected to travel.

REMUNERATION AND BUDGET (TRAVEL COSTS ARE EXCLUDED):

REMUNERATION:

Band level C – USD 500 – 625 per day.

LIVING EXPENSES (A LIVING EXPENSE IS PAYABLE TO ON-SITE CONSULTANTS WHO ARE INTERNATIONALLY RECRUITED):

N/A

EXPECTED DURATION OF CONTRACT:

80 days during 9 months’ period.

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