Research Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: JKCGWHO/2102/202481

Research Officer Vacancy-Job Ref: JKCGWHO/2102/202481

Brazzaville (Republic of the Congo)

JOB DESCRIPTION

The overall objective of the Research Coordination Unit is to provide leadership and facilitate the processes for strong research ecosystems. The WHO AFRO research programme focuses on supporting countries to develop high quality, country-led research. This work includes collaborating with academic institutions, research institutes and collaborating centres, promoting research ethics systems, promoting domestic investment for research as well as developing collaboration for funding important research and priority research work. The team is responsible for supporting multidisciplinary and multisectoral research activities and working to develop research capacities for research governance as well as for capacities in key disciplines.

This contributes to building and sustaining resilient health systems that provide equitable access to quality essential health services to people across the life courses using people-centred approaches. The Unit seeks to facilitate the process of applying research to achieve impact for people’s health in the areas of research and development in the WHO African Region by supporting countries to develop and implement policies and strategies for scaling-up the translation of new evidence and impact in Member States; promoting and supporting priority research in countries according to the unmet needs of Members States, including strengthening partnerships and promoting appropriate options for governance for research, including promoting ethical considerations in related decision making.

The goal is to enable countries in the WHO African Region to ensure evidence-based policies and strategies are in place to achieve universal access to high-quality, integrated, people-centered health services, increase the coverage and quality of effective interventions, and to create mechanisms to measure the impact of those strategies and interventions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Coordinating health research initiatives at the Regional Office in line with the Research workplan, ensure that objectives are met for each area of work Provide technical expertise in assisting Member States in formulating their National Health Research Programmes towards ensuring a coherent research ecosystem Provide secretariat support to the African Advisory Committee for Health Research and Development (AACHRD) and coordination of the recommendations of the committee Support in coordination of the Research Coordination workstream Support the Regional Office intramural research processes including the ethics review process, research publication review process and support the cross-cutting research work from other clusters Provide technical assistance in countries for priority setting, training and other key areas of the research ecosystem Support in developing the regional office research priorities agenda Monitor and provide support for implementation of the global and regional resolutions for research and related areas of work Perform other related responsibilities as assigned in his/her area of expertise, including replacing and backstopping, as required

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
Essential: A bachelor’s degree in humanities, a social or health science, law or in any other discipline related to the functions of the post, plus training on research ethics from a recognized university
Desirable: Training on bioethics, research management, and research methodology would be an asset.

EXPERIENCE
Essential: A minimum of five (5) years’ of combined national and international work experience in ethics review of human subjects’ research. Management of research ethics committee using an online system for the review process.
Desirable: Experience conducting research ethics training, software use training, and implementing online systems for ethics review would be an asset. Experience in user experience development support and website management is highly desirable.

SKILLS
Functional knowledge of research systems Understand important agenda in research for key diseases and other areas towards achieving SDGs Knowledge of ethics, priority setting skills.
Practical knowledge of ethics review and review processes for research with human subjects
Technical expertise and skills with online systems for ethics review
Strong professional, oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization
Knowledge of research methodology
Excellent organizational skills and strict attention to details.
WHO COMPETENCIES
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Creating an empowering and motivating environment
USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS
Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese.

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