Consultant - Strengthening Research Governance and Clinical Trial Ecosystems...

Purpose of Consultancy To provide technical expertise in advancing country and regional initiatives to strengthen research governance and clinical trial ecosystems in alignment with WHO priorities under the Research, Ethics and Innovation (REI) Unit, Division of Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI), WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific. Background The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO), through the Research, Ethics and Innovation (REI) Unit under the Division of Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI), works with Member States to strengthen national research and innovation systems for health. This includes improving research governance, enhancing ethics oversight, and building enabling environments for innovation and clinical research. In line with the World Health Assembly Resolution WHA75.8 on strengthening clinical trials and the Global Action Plan on Clinical Trial Ecosystem Strengthening (GAP-CTS), WHO supports Member States to assess, benchmark, and develop national strategies to advance their clinical trial ecosystems. Parallel to this, REI assists countries in reinforcing research governance mechanisms through ethics capacity-building, research prioritization, and implementation research training to promote evidence‑based decision‑making. The consultancy will contribute to these goals by developing analytical outputs, training materials, and documentation that facilitate regional and country‑level implementation of these initiatives. Deliverables Output 1. Strengthened clinical trial ecosystems in Member States Deliverable 1.1: Coordinate and provide technical input to situation analyses of clinical trial ecosystems across selected Member States, in collaboration with national counterparts and WHO country offices. Deliverable 1.2: Support the application of WHO’s Global Action Plan on Clinical Trial Ecosystem Strengthening (GAP-CTS) by facilitating technical discussions and country‑level planning activities. Deliverable 1.3: Facilitate Member State pilot implementation of the Clinical Trial Unit Maturity Framework (CTU‑MF), including documentation of lessons learned and coordination of follow‑up actions. Deliverable 1.4: Identify and consolidate examples of good practices in clinical validation of health AI tools in low‑resource settings to inform regional learning and policy dialogue. Output 2. Enhanced research governance and capacity in Member States Deliverable 2.1: Provide technical and coordination support for regional and country‑level capacity‑building workshops on implementation research, including preparation of materials and facilitation notes. Deliverable 2.2: Organise and document regional training sessions on research prioritisation for health, synthesising key recommendations for national planning. Deliverable 2.3: Develop a draft training curriculum and related tools for Research Ethics Committees and national research authorities to strengthen ethical review of AI‑enabled health technologies. Method(s) to Carry out the Activity Review relevant WHO frameworks, tools, and country documents to inform technical inputs; Participate in coordination and technical meetings with WHO staff and national counterparts; Support the planning, facilitation, and documentation of regional and country‑level activities (including workshops, consultations, and pilot exercises); Provide technical input and draft materials, presentations, or guidance notes as needed; and Ensure that all deliverables are aligned with WHO’s strategic priorities, ethical standards, and quality assurance requirements. Qualifications, Experience, Skills and Languages Educational Qualifications – Essential: University degree in a relevant field such as public health, epidemiology, health sciences, public policy, technology management, or a related discipline from a recognised institution. Educational Qualifications – Desirable: A doctoral degree in public health. Experience – Essential: Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in the design and implementation of public health or research‑for‑health programmes; experience in coordinating multi‑stakeholder research or innovation activities, preferably in international or regional settings. Experience – Desirable: Experience working with WHO, other United Nations agencies, or major international organisations in the field of health research, ethics, or innovation; experience collaborating with health research institutions in developing countries within the Western Pacific Region. Skills/Knowledge: Strong writing skills; research and analytical skills; communication and reporting skills; familiarity with WHO frameworks and tools related to research governance, clinical trials, and innovation; knowledge of the Global Action Plan on Clinical Trial Ecosystem Strengthening (GAP‑CTS) and ethical aspects of emerging technologies such as AI in health. Languages Required: Expert knowledge of English. Location Off‑site: Home‑based. Travel The consultant is expected to travel to country missions attached to the scope of work as needed. Remuneration and Budget Remuneration: Band level B, USD 350 – USD 400 (monthly). Expected duration of contract: 11 months, January to November 2026. 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. Candidates retained for interview will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio‑economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent to WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity and are solely responsible for withholding and paying any applicable taxes and contributions. #J-18808-Ljbffr