Qualifications

CONTEXT AND RATIONALE

The World Health Organization (WHO) leads and supports global efforts to improve and promote the health of the population, particularly the vulnerable, in order to preserve global health security. She brings technical expertise to preventing disease, combating the root causes of health problems and expanding access to medicines and health care.

Research plays a central role in economic development and global health security. It is increasingly recognized that, to be effective, it must be multidisciplinary and intersectoral. To do this, quality research and scientific data are essential to improve health and achieve greater health equity around the world. This initiative allows WHO to achieve its goal of “Bringing all people to the highest possible level of health”. At a time of many needs and limited resources, it is particularly important that health policies and practices are based on the best scientific knowledge.

Faced with current and new threats to health: antimicrobial resistance (AMR), pandemics, chronic diseases, food insecurity, consequences of climate change on health and fragility of health systems, member States and partners must together ensure that research and scientific data help achieve health-related development goals and improve health outcomes. The Eleventh General Program of Work assigns six core functions to WHO, all of which require strong research skills; one of which is to set research priorities and encourage the acquisition, application and dissemination of useful knowledge.

Thus, the WHO Country Office in Madagascar is recruiting a Public Health Research Officer to provide its technical expertise in the development of research activities meeting the needs of Public Health, One Health and RAM.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

The World Health Organization (WHO)’s mission is to promote and coordinate high-quality research that meets global health needs. Ensuring that individuals and society as a whole achieve the highest possible level of well-being is WHO’s central objective. They consist of promoting cooperation with specialized institutions and scientific groups which contribute to the progress of health, in particular:

• Support for research work in health promotion;

• Strengthening health knowledge to improve the health and well-being of all.

PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY:

The position holder will provide technical support in promoting research in Public Health, One Health and AMR within the various Health programs, in collaboration with partners, in order to provide data and analyzes that support the health policies and programs.

• It will support the organization and management of research projects in collaboration with the various health programs and partners;

• He will ensure compliance with scientific standards and rigors throughout processes in his area of expertise;

• It will support the preparation of various scientific communication activities.

DELIVERABLE

Tasks and responsibilities of the consultant(e)

Under the general supervision of the WHO Representative in Madagascar, the incumbent will be responsible for supporting the following activities:

• Identification of research topics in health programs including One Health and AMR;

• Participation in the collection, use of data and capitalization of achievements;

• Development and monitoring of the ethical validation of research protocols with the competent authorities and ethics committees (Ethics Committee on Bio-Medical Research (CERBM), and National Animal Ethics Committee CENA), with scientific methodologies appropriate;

• Participation in the development and pretesting of data collection tools;

• Support for the implementation of research protocols in collaboration with health programs and partner institutions;

• Proposal of analysis plans and interpretation of data;

• Support for scientific data analysis with specific software;

• Writing research results and producing scientific reports;

• Support for publications of scientific work: communication of research results internally and externally: scientific articles, abstracts/abstracts;

• Other tasks entrusted by the WHO Representative.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND LANGUAGES

Diplomas and qualifications:

Essential:

– University Diploma in Public Health, Epidemiology or an equivalent diploma;

– Work experience in the field of public health research, demonstrated by the publication of research work or scientific articles in national and/or international scientific journals, of which the position holder is author and/or co-author

– Skills in statistical analysis and use of research software (SPSS, Epi-Info, In Vivo, R…)

– Work experience in the field of public health research, demonstrated by the publication of research work or scientific articles in national and/or international scientific journals, of which the position holder is author and/or co-author.

Desirable:

Practical experience in the design, implementation, statistical analysis of data, monitoring and publication of scientific and research work at the national health system level and/or with health partners.

Skills:

Generic skills:

• Produce quality results

• Communicate credibly and effectively, clearly and concisely, orally and in writing

• Promote integration and teamwork

• Respect and promote individual and cultural differences

• Rational and efficient use of resources

Functional skills:

• Excellent knowledge of IT tools and software for analyzing qualitative and quantitative data

• Good knowledge of priority health programs and the national health system.

Languages and levels required:

Essential : Mastery of Malagasy and French

Desirable : Good communication in English

Location:

Antananarivo

Duration of contract:

5 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 candidacy 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.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce gazeless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

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 (ie, discrimination, abuse of authority and abuse). 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 substantial 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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For roster vacancy announcements:

The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the advertised roster. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments; however, contracting of rostered candidates is not guaranteed.