Roster of consultants - Brain health including neurological conditions across the life course

Purpose of consultancy

The Brain Health Unit (BRH) within the Department of Mental Health, Brain Health and Substance Use (MSD) is updating the roster of qualified consultants to conduct a variety of technical tasks with all levels of experience to actively contribute to specific elements of the Unit’s work on brain health and neurological conditions in line with line with the mandate of the Intersectoral global action plan on epilepsy and other neurological disorders (IGAP). There may be opportunities to participate in an array of brief and longer-term projects, meetings, research and/or public health initiatives.

Background

The Brain Health Unit aims to promote optimal brain development, cognitive health and wellbeing and prevention and care for neurological conditions across the life course. BRH contributes to the overall mission of MSD through leadership and policy dialogue, development of technical and normative products and country capacity building in the following areas:

• Child and adolescent brain health and neurodevelopment
• Maternal mental health
• Treatment and care for all neurological disorders (e.g. neurological infections, epilepsy, dementia,) and neurodevelopmental disabilities
• Medication and diagnostic access for neurological conditions
• Promotion of brain health and prevention of neurological disorders

Additionally, BRH promotes collaborations and synergies with other public health areas (i.e. facilitating linkages and integration at country-level with other public health programmes such as mental health, noncommunicable diseases, infections, child, adolescent and maternal health, ageing, disability and injury and violence prevention, etc.)

This updated roster reflects the updated name of the department and includes brain health with an emphasis on neurological conditions across the life course in line with the mandate of IGAP.

Deliverables

The consultant is expected to perform a variety of tasks, not limited to the following:

• Writing and editing technical documents and normative tools; including training materials and manuals
• Contributing to resource mobilization efforts by developing results-focused proposals, donor agreements and other grant-related instruments ensuring quality and alignment with WHO policies, pertinent documents and other administrative provisions.
• Reviewing and preparing project documentation (e.g., logical frameworks, project strategies, operational/implementation plans, project reports, presentations)
• Organize peer review process and consultation with relevant stakeholders for technical products or global public health goods.
• Conduct literature and scientific reviews
• Facilitate field-testing, generation of evidence, and dissemination and implementation of WHO’s technical products at regional and country level

Specific deliverables will be pre-defined for each consultancy.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• For band level A: First university degree in psychology, medicine, social science or related health field
• For band level B: An advanced university degree in public health, child health, neuroscience, neurology, psychiatry/psychology, epidemiology, social science or related field

Experience

Essential:

• For band level A:
  • 2 to 5 years of relevant experience in the focus areas of the BRH unit.
  • Experience working in low- and middle-income countries.
• For band level B:
  • At least 5 years of relevant experience in the focus areas of the BRH unit.
  • Experience working in low- and middle-income countries.

Desirable:

• Experience working with international organizations.
• A strong academic or publication record for consultancies involving research-related tasks.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Demonstrated knowledge in the focus areas of the BRH unit (specific area depending on the task of the consultancy)
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills
• Excellent writing skills
• Excellent organizational and scheduling skills
• Self-discipline with the ability to work with autonomy and as part of a team
• Able to exercise mature judgment and sensitivity in dealing with complex situations and issues
• Depending on the type of consultancy, demonstrated expertise and knowledge will be required in the following areas of i) resource mobilization; and/or ii) project management; and/or iii) conduct desk/scientific reviews; and/or iv) normative work including developing training materials and conducting training workshops; and/or v) data management; and/or vi) supporting/advising on development of policies and services; vii) conducting large-scale research activities.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of a second UN official language and other languages

Location

Off-site: Home based.

Travel

The consultant may be required to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level A: USD 3'955 to 6'980 per month.
Band level B: USD 7'000 to 9'980 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

Actual duration of contract will depend on the needs of the Unit. Minimum 3 months is preferred. Maximum contract duration is 11 months.

Both full and part time assignments with different durations could be offered. For part-time employment remuneration will be pro-rated accordingly.

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 candidature 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.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• 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 into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). 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 substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever 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 in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html

For roster VNs:

• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.