Avis de recrutement : OMS recrute un Consultant – Science, innovation et R&D à Brazzaville, République du Congo.
1. Background
The objective of the Science and Innovation Office is to maximize the potential of science and innovation, as well as research and development, in a systematic manner by ensuring the excellence, relevance, value contribution, and efficiency of WHO’s core technical functions, such as norms and standards, and guidance on health innovations, in a manner that improves health outcomes in the African Region.
The Office seeks to facilitate the process of applying science and innovation to achieve impact for people’s health in the WHO African Region by: developing, supporting and promoting a regional science agenda and strategy, harnessing regional capacities to support Regional work, collaborating with HQ science division and linking Regional Office ensuring African participation in global initiatives e.g. clinical trials, supporting the establishment of new institutions, working with WHO collaborating centres, attracting new partnerships, engaging research platforms such as: African Academy of science, Academia, Research Institutes, etc., strengthening Science leadership in the region towards person focused approaches, working in close collaboration with product innovation initiatives (therapeutics, diagnostics, vaccines manufacturing, technology transfer etc.) and developing guidance related to evidence, norms, and standards.
The goal is to enable countries in the African Region ensure science and innovation are effectively leveraged 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. The Regional office’s coordinating role for science is especially important in ensuring that access to new therapies, diagnostics, and vaccines under development is equitable and that they are available to all who need them. The purpose of the position is to provide strategic coordination for Science, Innovation and R&D.
More specifically, the Science and Innovation office will focus on:
- Coordinating Science activities for the African Region using all available platforms
- Staying on top of scientific and technological advancements and epidemiological trends, so as to anticipate new trends, technologies, research, and discoveries in medical and public health.
- Strengthening confidence in science, setting the science and R&D agenda to address gaps, emerging areas, and country priorities in the region
- To identify, drive and foster internal and external collaboration through networks and partnerships to help identify and address gaps and avenues for science and innovation solutions.
- Foresight and emerging technologies, by striving to stay ahead of the curve, understanding what is needed to improve health for all in the future, and where the best new ideas are emerging.
- Leveraging and upscaling innovations for better health and wellbeing for all
2. Deliverables
- Coordinate activities related to science, R&D, product development, manufacturing, technology transfer in the region
- Support and coordinate input from regional stakeholders to develop a vaccine R&D strategy for AFRO, and partner with global funding, research and immunization partners to drive delivery of the strategy
- Conduct high level advocacy and policy dialogue and establish/strengthen partnerships
- Support the ongoing strategic priorities on strategic public health goals and global value proposition for vaccines, technologies, biologics, therapeutics and diagnostics for the African region
- Support WHO/AFRO’s overall work in relation to science, innovation & R&D and provide high level scientific advice and expertise to the Management, Scientific Advisory Groups and other scientific committees
- Leverage and implement existing global frameworks within WHO and among other partners such as the WHO R&D Blueprint to drive the vaccine R&D agenda
- Provide guidance to WHO/AFRO on emerging technologies, conceptual strategy development and management of the implementation of overall strategies related to science, technology, innovation research and development and intra and inter-divisional/departmental policies and procedures
- Support the development of well-functioning science and innovation systems in member states across the region that improves the health of populations and supports the attainment of the triple billion targets and the SDGs
- Accelerate Regional Office efforts at ensuring coordination in the region and support countries in the areas of manufacturing, technology transfer and regulatory authorities strengthening
- Manage, strengthen and proactively develop partnerships with Global health institutions, regional institutions and other stakeholders to drive sustainable strategy for WHO AFROs R&D agenda and coordinate partnerships to advance science and innovation in the region
- Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required
3. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications
- Essential: Master or advanced degree in biomedical sciences, public health and related discipline
- Desirable: PhD in biomedical sciences, public health and related discipline. Training and knowledge of science, innovation systems, public health systems and needs for research and infrastructural systems for science development.
Experience
- At least 10 years’ experience in positions related to public health, experience of vaccine implementation/vaccine immunization programmes in the African region, areas of therapeutics, diagnostics and manufacturing, and at least 5 years’ experience within an international context. Experience in organizational performance, functional analysis and stakeholder engagement is required.
- Experience in developing national or international science and innovation programmes. Knowledge of processes and product development pipelines and experience in developing a science programme and planning for science and innovation needs in a competitive and rapidly changing environment.
Languages
Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is essential. Working knowledge of French or another UN language is an advantage.
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