Operational Research Fellowships for Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance at World Health Organization (WHO)

Under the direct supervision of the WCO AMR team and in link with the SORT IT coordinator in Geneva and overall direction of the WHO country Representative, the AMR fellow will specifically:

• Attend and provide support on all AMR SORT IT trainings conducted by TDR and WHO country offices.
• Develop operational research protocols and obtain ethics approvals for studies addressing the country and/or WHO priorities on AMR.
• Ensure that approved protocols are implemented within the stipulated time-frame and a manuscript is prepared for submission to an international peer-reviewed journal within 3 months of completion.

Summary of Assigned Duties

• Submit each year at least two papers to peer-reviewed journals as part of annual performance targets. Failure to fulfil this requirement will result in discontinuation of the annual contract.
• Submit brief quarterly progress reports according to a standard template. This will describe: a) AMR related operational research activities in the country b) engagement in building “communities of practice” on AMR and c) how operational research is influencing policy and/or practice.
• Participate in quarterly conference calls conducted by WHO/TDR
• Support dissemination activities at district, national and international conferences.
• Perform other relevant tasks that may reasonably be assigned by WCO.

Competencies

• Creating an empowering and motivating environment
• Building and Promoting Partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Ensuring the effective use of resources
• Producing Results.
• Communicating in a credible and effective way

Functional Skills and Knowledge

• Proven skills in operational research protocols and obtaining ethics approvals for studies addressing the country and/or WHO priorities on AMR.
• Sound knowledge of data collection, critical thinking and analysis and report writing
• Demonstrated ability to provide sound methodological, and scientific advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders and partners in health sector policy reform based on evidence generated.
• Demonstrated ability to innovate, integrate, synthesize and communicate complex concepts and ideas verbally and in writing.
• Ability to monitor and communicate progress in terms of process and results.

Education

Essential: An advanced university degree (Master’s level and above) in public health or an equivalent qualification. 

• Experience in designing and implementing operational research studies with a track record of publications
• Fluency in spoken and written English – the most common language of scientific paper writing.

Desirable: A PhD would be of added advantage. Successful completion and/or having facilitated in previous SORT IT courses would be an additional asset.