International Consultant - Research Ethics and Governance, WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, Manila, Philippines, Manila

..

Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy  

This consultancy will support both the operational strengthening of WPRO-ERC and the development of practical AI-enabled approaches, tools and learning resources to enhance ethics review and research governance across the Region.

Background

The Research, Ethics and Innovation (REI) unit in the Division of Data Strategy and Innovation (DSI) supports ethical, responsible and high-quality health research across the WHO Western Pacific Region. The WPRO Ethics Review Committee (WPRO-ERC) provides independent ethics review of research involving human participants that is funded, supported or otherwise conducted under the auspices of WHO.

As research methodologies continue to evolve, including the increasing use of artificial intelligence (AI), ethics review systems face growing demands for efficiency, consistency and technical expertise. At the same time, AI technologies offer opportunities to strengthen ethics review processes, reviewer support, training, knowledge management and research governance functions.

Deliverables

Outputs and deliverables

Under the supervision of the Technical Lead for Research, Ethics and Innovation Unit, the Consultant is expected to deliver the following:

Output 1: Strengthened governance, review quality and operational effectiveness of WPRO-ERC
Deliverable 1.1: Screen research proposals and prepare documented assessments, reviewer briefing materials and recommendations to support ethics review and decision-making.
Deliverable 1.2: Develop a consolidated repository of ERC review outcomes, reviewer feedback and common protocol deficiencies, with recommendations to improve submission quality and review efficiency.
Deliverable 1.3: Update of WPRO-ERC operational resources, including reviewer guidance, review templates, decision letter templates and documentation tools, in line with WHO ethics governance requirements.
Deliverable 1.4: Prepare an annual analytical report on ERC activities, review trends, recurring ethical issues, review timelines and recommendations to strengthen ethics governance and review processes in the Western Pacific Region.

Output 2: Develop AI-powered research ethics support for health-related research developed 
Deliverable 2.1: Analyze information on international practices, opportunities, risks and governance considerations for using AI in research ethics review and prepare a technical briefing paper for WHO.
Deliverable 2.2: Contribute technical input in the development of guidance framework on the responsible use of AI in ethics review and research governance, including safeguards, limitations and quality assurance measures.
Deliverable 2.3: Contribute technical input in the design and testing of AI-enabled tools or workflows to support ethics review, such as protocol screening, checklist generation, reviewer support, knowledge retrieval or administrative process improvement, and document lessons learned.
Deliverable 2.4: Develop and deliver training for WHO staff, ERC members and researchers on ethics review of AI-enabled research and responsible use of AI in research governance, including at least two virtual capacity-building sessions and a summary report.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:    

Essential: University degree in bioethics, public health, medicine, law, health sciences, social sciences, artificial intelligence, data science or a related field.

Desirable: Additional training in research ethics, health research governance, digital health or AI governance.

Experience   

Essential: Minimum three years of professional experience in research ethics, research governance, health research management or ethics committee operations. Experience developing technical reports, guidance documents or training materials

Desirable:
Experience working with WHO, United Nations agencies or international organizations. Experience applying artificial intelligence or digital technologies within research, governance or health systems contexts. Experience designing and delivering capacity-building activities.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:
•     Strong knowledge of international research ethics standards and governance frameworks.
•     Knowledge of ethical issues related to artificial intelligence, health data and digital technologies.
•     Strong technical writing, analysis and document development skills.
•     Ability to synthesize complex technical information into practical guidance materials.

Desirable:
•     Familiarity with WHO ethics review processes and WHO research governance frameworks.
•     Knowledge of AI-assisted workflow tools, large language models or knowledge management systems.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

•     Expert knowledge of English

Location

This is an onsite consultancy. The selected consultant will be based at the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office in Manila, Philippines for the duration of the contract.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel to WHO Western Pacific Regional Office, Manila, Philippines, or other locations within the Western Pacific Region to facilitate consultations, workshops or training activities, subject to programme needs and funding availability.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration: Payband level A at USD 4,000 per monthLiving Allowance: USD 2,100 per monthExpected duration of contract: 11 months

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: Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
•     For information on WHO's operations please visit:
•     The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. 
The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States ( are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. 
Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to  View email address on uncareer.net 
•     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 ( 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 short-listed candidates.
•     WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
•     Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. 
•     WHO shall have no responsibility 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 each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
•     Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at View email address on uncareer.net.
•     In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates    .