Consultant - Research and Publication

The consultant will provide dedicated technical and operational support to finalize and operationalize the WHO AFRO Public Health Journal, support the reactivation and functioning of the WHO AFRO Research Ethics Committee, and advance regional research governance and coordination efforts. This role contributes to strengthening evidence systems, ethical governance, knowledge dissemination, and research translation into policy and practice in the African Region.

Responsibilities

• Support the establishment of the WHO AFRO journal including finalizing the agreement with BMJ, establishing the editorial board, and coordinating the official launch at the 76th session of the WHO Regional Committee for Africa in August 2026.
• Support work related to research governance both in WHO AFRO and in Member States.
• Provide support in other areas of the Research Unit.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in areas related to health research, public health or social sciences.
• Certification in publishing, research ethics, bioethics, health research governance or research methodology (desirable).
• At least 7 years’ experience in health research, research systems.
• Experience with scientific publishing, editorial processes, and managing peer-reviewed journals in a regional or international context (desirable).
• Strong functional knowledge of health research systems, research governance, and ethical review processes for research involving human participants.
• Expertise in scientific writing, editorial standards and peer-reviewed journals management.
• Familiarity with WHO or UN research governance frameworks, publication policies, or digital publishing platforms.
• Ability to engage and communicate effectively and diplomatically with external partners including Ministries of Health, donor institutions, Civil Society, and other stakeholders.
• Experience in coordinating multi-stakeholder research initiatives, organizing committees, and providing training or mentorship in ethics and publication practices.
• Expert knowledge of spoken and written English.
• Working knowledge of French or another UN official language is an advantage.

Skills

• Health Research
• Research Systems
• Scientific Publishing
• Editorial Processes
• Peer-Reviewed Journals Management
• Health Research Governance
• Ethical Review Processes
• Research Ethics
• Bioethics
• Research Methodology
• Scientific Writing
• Editorial Standards
• WHO Research Governance
• UN Publication Policies
• Digital Publishing Platforms
• Stakeholder Coordination
• Training and Mentorship in Ethics
• Research Translation
• Policy Dissemination

Languages

English, French