WHO Science Council

WHO is soliciting applications and nominations of high-level experts to serve on its Science Council.

The Science Division, established in March 2019, has two main functions: (1)  to ensure WHO anticipates and remains abreast of the latest scientific developments and identifies opportunities to harness those developments to improve global health and (2) to ensure the excellence, relevance and efficacy of WHO’s core technical functions, including global public health goods that are norms and standards and research.

The Director-General has decided to establish a WHO Science Council as the voice of scientific leadership directly advising WHO about high-priority scientific issues, and advances in science and technology that could directly impact global health. The Science Division, through the Research for Health department, will facilitate the Council’s activity in setting the top WHO science, research and innovation priorities, independently from programme specifics, and focusing on areas where gaps exist.

The Council will have the following functions:

• Evaluate urgent, high priority scientific issues and provide input and guidance on translating them to public health guidelines and otherwise in furtherance of WHO’s mission;
• Identify current and new science and technology issues that WHO needs to address, including global health threats, and new advances with a potential for direct or indirect impact on global health;
• Provide strategic orientation to WHO’s actions in science, research and innovation;
• Participate in the rapid and confidential review of WHO normative products, when requested by the Director-General or the Chief Scientist; and
• Undertake other duties and functions consistent with these Terms of Reference, when requested by the Director General or Chief Scientist.

Members of Council will be internationally-renowned experts with an outstanding record of achievements in their own field and a proven understanding of global health. Members will serve in individual capacity and will not represent institutions or countries. Applications and nominations are being solicited globally. We are seeking to establish a diverse committee, in terms of regional representation, gender balance and expertise. Applications and nominations will be reviewed and selected by WHO.

It is envisioned that the Council will have its first meeting in Q4 2020, with the specific date to be decided.

Qualities of members

Members of the Council will:

• Be internationally renowned experts, recognised as top specialists and key opinion leaders.
• Have an outstanding record of achievement and personal credibility within their own field, appropriate to the remit of the group (i.e. biomedical research, health economics, equity and human rights, social sciences, health systems, law, governance, ethics, climate change and health, etc);
• Have proven experience of operating at the highest strategic level in the public or other sectors;
• Have proven experience of working effectively in high level advisory committees;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to support effective discussion with a range of stakeholders;
• Have a good command of English;
• Demonstrate a broad range of expertise and interest.

How to submit an application or nomination

To apply you must confirm interest, availability and commitment to serve on the WHO Science Council and provide:

• an up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV)
• a letter of motivation, highlighting what your potential contribution to the Council
• a completed Declaration of interests form

To submit a nomination you must confirm interest, availability and commitment of the nominee to serve on the WHO Science Council and provide:

• an up-to-date curriculum vitae (CV)

The CV should include the career history and list the main areas of employment or other relevant activity and other public appointments. The CV should also include details of any relevant academic, professional or vocational qualifications. The CV will be used in the assessment of the applicant’s or nominee’s expertise. It is important that the CV and/or letter of motivation provide evidence that the applicant or nominee has the “Qualities of Members”. The CV should be written in English and be limited to 3 pages. Provide all contact details including, if available, a cellular phone number.

Please send your completed applications/nominations using subject line "Application/Nomination for Membership to WHO Science Council [name of country and name of applicant/nominee]” to [email protected]

After receipt of the applications/nominations

• We will acknowledge receipt of your application/nomination and its completeness (by e-mail) and we will check it for eligibility, from 15^th September 2020 onwards.
• We will rely on the information provided to assess whether the applicant/nominee has the experience required at the appropriate level. Please ensure that written evidence is provided to support how the applicant/nominee meets all of the relevant criteria, which are identified in the “Qualities of Members” section;
• Telephone or video-conference interviews may be scheduled between applicants/nominees and the Secretariat to clarify areas of uncertainties about experience and expertise and ask specific questions to explore to ascertain if the specified qualities are met;
• Applicants and nominees who best fit the criteria and match the needed expertise with due consideration to ensuring a proper balance will be proposed for appointment to the Director-General of WHO, who will make the final decision;
• Successful applicants/nominees will receive a letter inviting them to serve as part of the WHO Science Council and that will specify the beginning and duration of term;
• Unsuccessful applications and nominations will also be notified by the Secretariat. Among the unsuccessful candidates, suitably qualified individuals will be kept on record for any future relevant opportunity.

Compensation

Appointments are not remunerated. However, members are compensated for expenses related with attendance to meetings. Such compensation, which includes the issuance of airline tickets, per diem to cover lodging, food and incidental expenses will be in accordance with the WHO travel rules.

Applications and nominations should be submitted no later than Monday 14^th September 2020, 17h00 CEST.

Contact

The Secretariat of the WHO Science Council, within the Research for Health department of the WHO Science Division, can be contacted via [email protected]