Consultant – International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, WPRO

Consultant – International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, WPRO – (2500506) 

Contractual Arrangement: External consultant

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 2 months

Job Posting

: Jan 31, 2025, 9:49:39 AM

Closing Date

: Feb 14, 2025, 10:59:00 PM

Primary Location

: Philippines

Organization

: WP/DSI Data, Strategy and Innovation Team

Schedule

: Full-time 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device’s system settings. 

Purpose of the Consultancy

The Research, Ethics and Innovation (REI) unit under the Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI) group at WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) is seeking a consultant to provide technical and analytical support for the review of international trial registry entries for clinical research in WPRO Member States. 

Background

At the Seventy-fifth World Health Assembly in May 2022, Member States of the World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the resolution WHA75.8 on strengthening clinical trials to provide high-quality evidence on health interventions and improve research quality and coordination. The resolution acknowledges the importance of reinforcing global, regional, and national clinical trial ecosystems to advance equitable capacity development, enhance health outcomes for endemic diseases at the national and regional levels and ensure functional capacities that can pivot during emergencies. 

In November 2023, WHO HQ organized a global clinical trials forum which agreed to develop a framework for clinical trials ecosystem strengthening to enable capacity development of clinical researchers, research institutions, of research ethics committees, and of national regulatory authorities regarding clinical trials oversight. In March 2024, WPRO convened an expert consultation on strengthening clinical trials in the Western Pacific, which identified priority actions and principles to implement the resolution in the region. In June 2024, WHO HQ convened stakeholders on clinical trial ecosystem strengthening. Following this series of consultation, WHO HQ is leading the development of tools for assessing the maturity of clinical trial unit and capacity-building, and each region has been tasked with assessing clinical trial ecosystem capacity. 

In response, the REI unit has been conducting situational analyses of clinical trial ecosystem in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, and Viet Nam through key informant interviews and workshops beginning October 2024. Beyond the clinical trial work, REI has been conducting a situational analysis of public health research in the Western Pacific to inform its strategic priorities and functions. Performing a systematic review of registry-based clinical research in Member States in the region will yield critical insights into 1) local capacity in designing, conducting, and financing clinical research, especially trials, 2) the state of regulatory and ethical oversight and standards at the national level, and 3) key areas where WHO can strengthen the research ecosystem. Many LMICs in the region lack publicly available national clinical trial registries, limiting visibility into their clinical research priorities, resource allocation, and other essential health research capacity indicators. Recognizing these gaps and the understanding that a large proportion of studies in LMICs are sponsored by international funders, the REI proposes the use of international registry (e.g., International Clinical Trials Registry Platform [ICTRP])-based study as an efficient approach to assess both the breadth and depth of local clinical research capacity and priorities in the region. Moreover, insights from the registry-based analysis can validate and complement the findings from the clinical trial situational analyses in selected countries. 

The consultant is expected to complement the work of REI and support the data extraction, management, and analyses required to perform the review. 

Deliverables

Output 1: Develop a comprehensive database of extracted items from eligible ICTRP entries. 

Deliverable 1.1: Create a dataset containing criteria-based eligible entries from ICTRP. (30 March 2025)

Deliverable 1.2: Produce a cleaned database of extracted data items from these ICTRP entries. (30 March 2025)

Output 2: Perform data analysis and provide relevant data visualization according to the study protocol. 

Deliverable 2.1: Develop replicable analysis code and conduct all necessary quantitative and qualitative analyses based on the review questions and objectives. (30 April 2025)

Deliverable 2.2: Generate dissemination-ready summary tables, figures and insights. (30 April 2025)

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: First university degree (bachelor’s level) in public health, epidemiology, health sciences, or a related discipline from a recognized institution.

Desirable: Advanced university degree (master’s level) in a relevant field as described. 

Experience

Essential: At least five years of research experience at international level in public health or relevant health science or social science field, with extensive experience in performing evidence synthesis, especially systematic review.

Relevant experience on clinical research including clinical trials and international trial registries.

Relevant experience on professional delivery of high-quality products.

Desirable: Relevant work experience with WHO and/or UN agencies, governmental agencies and/or international non-governmental organizations.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential: Proficiency in evidence synthesis including the conduct of systematic reviews and registry-based reviews.

Expert-level proficiency in data extraction, cleaning, management, and analysis.

Proficiency in using at least one relevant data management and analysis software and/or programming language (e.g., R, STATA, SAS)

Languages and level required

Essential: Expert-level proficiency in the use of written and spoken English language

Location

Off site: The contractor will perform the work from their office, and communications will be through phone calls, exchange of emails and online meetings. 

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel and will be based in their residence.

Remuneration and budget

Professional Fee: Payband B, USD 7500 (monthly) 

Work schedule: Full-time

Duration: 2 months, March to April 2025

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.
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• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.
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• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
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