WPRO-ERC Secretariat Member (Technical aspect)

BACKGROUND

The WHO Research Ethics Review Committee in the Western Pacific Region (WPRO-ERC) provides ethics review, in accordance with the provisions set forth in WHO Manual Part XV section 3 and the Standards Operating Procedures (SOPs) of WPRO-ERC, of all research projects involving human participants that are funded or otherwise supported by WHO in the Region.

The WPRO-ERC Secretariat provides technical and administrative assistance to WPRO-ERC Chair, the Secretary, and other members to ensure efficient, accountable, and transparent operation of WPRO-ERC.

WHO is looking for an expert in research ethics who will serve as a WPRO-ERC Secretariat Member (technical aspect)

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

Under the direct supervision of WPRO-ERC Secretary and overall guidance of WPRO-ERC Chair, the consultant will join the WPRO-ERC Secretariat and perform the role of WPRO-ERC Secretariat member (technical aspect).

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

The specific tasks of WPRO-ERC Secretariat Member (technical aspect) are:

• • To undertake a preliminary review of all submitted proposals to assess whether they are complete and, if not, to liaise with the WHO Responsible Technical Officer (RTO) in order to bring them up to the required standards.
• • To make readily available information to WHO staff in the Region about WPRO-ERC, including its standards, rules, procedures, activities, and disposition of proposals.
• • To provide necessary support to WPRO-ERC Secretary, the Chair and the Committee members on policy issues relating to WPRO-ERC.

The WPRO-ERC Secretariat member (technical aspect) is also expected to collaborate with WPRO-ERC Secretariat member (administrative aspect) in the following tasks:

• • To manage the Health Research Portal
• • To schedule, coordinate, and organize Committee meetings to ensure prompt reviews of new and pending research proposals
• • To inform the WHO RTO in a timely manner of the Committee’s decision for each research proposal reviewed (in collaboration with the WPRO-ERC Secretariat Member in administrative aspect)
• • To draft the minutes of the meeting, the annual report and other reports as may be required regarding the work of the Secretariat and of the Committee
• • To make readily available to WPRO-ERC Committee members’ information educational and education materials, and training on ethical issues related with human research.

Output: Quality technical assistance provided to WPRO-ERC according to the tasks described above.

Delivery 1: Monthly performance reports

Delivery 2: End of contract performance report

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

This contract will be an offsite consultancy. The consultant is expected to attend weekly team meetings and other related meetings of WPRO-ERC.  The average working days is 18 days per month with a total of 198 working days for the contract period.

The consultant will be required to submit monthly reports on the progress in achieving the output and deliverables.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential: University degree in bioethics or health-related discipline.
Desirable: Master’s degree in public health, bioethics, or health-related discipline.  Additional training in bioethics or related to discipline would be an advantage.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: 

• • At least 5 years of work experience in conducting scientific review of health-related research studies.
• • Experience in developing standard operating procedures on research review process in WPRO countries.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Ability to review complex health research proposals and make sound judgement on ambiguous research questions.
• • Knowledge on latest ethical standards used in scientific research agencies.

LANGUAGES

• • Advance written and spoken fluency in English is essential.

COMPETENCIES

• • Communicating in a credible and effective way
• • Producing results
• • Moving forward in a changing environment
• • Fostering integration and teamwork
• • Knowing and managing yourself

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 30 January 2023. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 190091 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.