Consultancy: Platform Development
COVID-19 Innovation Team (Contract: 6 months or more)
( 2002110 )
Contractual Arrangement : External consultant
Contract duration : 0
Job Posting: May 13, 2020, 10:01:49 AM
The COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed an unprecedented wave of creativity and collaboration. This wave of innovation - and the potential lessons being learned - risk being lost to history if there is no systematic approach or effort to capture what was done, and what is still being done. Despite the ever-increasing wealth of information regarding innovative products, services, approaches, and policies, evidence (and its translation into action) is still lacking given that many efforts are unprecedented, untested, iterative, and implemented in ways that prioritize practicality over scientific integrity.
Furthermore, many such innovations are inevitably context-dependent, at different levels of maturity, and pose challenges surrounding privacy and civil liberties. Research efforts must therefore be carefully crafted in order to produce the right kinds of knowledge asset for the right kind of stakeholder. The curation of such knowledge and its translation into relevant innovative solutions would better support Member States in identifying and adopting new options to address and inform strategic priorities.
Purpose/Specific Objective of the Activity
To ensure innovations being deployed as part of country response are collected and collated to inform country prioritization, strategic research priorities and innovation agendas, and provide options for future preparedness, surveillance, and response.
Method(s) to carry out the activity
Output 1: Support the collection and classification, and piloting of COVID-19 related innovations
Deliverables
Development of an online platform to support the collection and classification of COVID-19 related innovations. With a special focus on involving end users in its design.
Develop forms and records to document project activities.
Ensure accurate and complete documentation across the entire lifecycle of the project.
Development of criteria for prioritizing pilot research studies.
Support the development of feedback loop during and post review of innovations
Output 2: Ensure innovations have sufficient evidence to be scaled
Deliverables
Support the innovation review committee in review and documentation of pre-pilot and post- pilot of innovations.
Along with review committee, review and rank evidence from pilots.
Support scaling efforts.
Output 3: Synthesize information and evidence regarding COVID-19 innovations for research agenda-setting and prioritization
Deliverables
Support development of an interactive report detailing research gaps and priorities for COVID-19 innovations.
Support dissemination of knowledge of COVID-19-related innovations.
Output 4: Ongoing support to Member States and countries across the Western Pacific Region on COVID-19 innovations
Deliverables
Ongoing support to Member States and countries across the Western Pacific Region on COVID-19 innovations
Education/Qualifications
University degree in biomedical engineering or similar discipline.
Desirable: Master's degree or above degree in biomedical engineering or related studies.
Experience
At least five years' experience in positions in public health and/or health research including some experience within an international context. Experience with WHO prequalification or home countries regulatory bodies.
Skills
Strong science background. Strong IT skills. Strong people and communication skills (oral and written). Good management and coordination skills. Ability to complete tasks in the given time frame
Languages
Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage
Additional information: WHO will review all the proposals and take the best proposal, based on the prevailing industry rates
Competencies
Producing results
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Fostering integration and teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
