World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Consultant – Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases

Job ID: 2409883
Location: Anywhere
Job type: Full-time
Contractual Arrangement: External consultant
Contract Duration: 11 months
Organization: HQ/RDB R&D Blue Print WHE

Purpose of consultancy

• Provide epidemiological analysis and expertise to the R&D Blueprint and Collaborative Open Research Consortiums (CORC) and other health emergencies developing the modelling agenda and research programme.
• The consultant will also contribute to the analysis of the Solidarity Trial Vaccines.

Background

• The R&D Blueprint for epidemics is a global strategy and preparedness plan that allows the rapid activation of research and development activities during epidemics.
• Its aim is to fast-track the availability of effective tests, vaccines and medicines that can be used to save lives and avert large scale crises. Information on the activities  can be found here Blueprint (who.int).
• At the core of its efforts lies the concept of ‘Pathogen Prioritization’ to target medical countermeasure research on pathogens that have the greatest risk of causing a future epidemic, pandemic or PHEIC.
• To implement this new scientific framework, WHO is partnering with global research institutions to establish Colalborative Open Research Consortiums (CORCs) for each pathogen family. Each consortium will be anchored by a WHO Collaborating Centre that will serve as the research hub.
• CORCs will include researchers, developers, funders, regulators, and trial experts to foster collaboration and promote equitable participation—especially from regions where these pathogens are known or likely to circulate.
• This decentralized structure ensures representation from high-, middle-, and low-income countries, enhancing the global response to emerging health threats.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Contribute to the analysis of the secondary endpoint of the Solidarity Trial Vaccines expected by second quarter of 2025.
• Deliverable 2: Set up the mathematical modelling groups to support the CORCs.
• Deliverable 3: Contribute toward the development of the modelling workplan for the CORCs.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications
Essential:

• Advanced degree in epidemiology or mathematical modelling.

Desirable:

• First university degree in epidemiology.

Experience
Essential:

• 15 years of experience in infectious disease transmission, disease burden, vaccination impact, seroprevalence studies, and epidemiology.

Desirable:

• Previous experience with WHO projects in infectious disease modelling and economic analysis.

Skills/Knowledge
Essential:

• Ability to develop and refine mathematical models for infectious diseases

Desirable:

• Proficiency in programming and using computational tools

Languages and level required
Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English

Desirable:

• Basic knowledge of French.

Remuneration

• Band level C: USD 10,000 – 12,500 per month.

Application Closing Date
31st January, 2025.