Background
The WHO GISRS Investigations and Studies (GISRS Unity) provide a pandemic preparedness and readiness framework for conducting targeted investigations and studies that are critical to the risk assessment of novel influenza viruses or other emerging respiratory viruses of pandemic and epidemic potential. WHO’s role is to develop standardized protocols, provide governance to the GISRS Unity network of sites and develop and provide supporting items such as statistical analysis plans, reporting templates and an ethical considerations toolkit.
The Global Influenza Programme (GIP) at WHO headquarters in Geneva seeks to recruit a consultant to contribute to the maintenance and effective operation of the GISRS Investigations and Studies (GISRS Unity) expert group, as well as its network of GISRS Unity sites, which are primed to undertake the required range of special studies in response to an emerging or re-emerging new influenza and other respiratory viruses within the remit of GISRS.
Deliverables
- Deliverable 1: Work with WHO regional offices and countries to facilitate country site participation through the GISRS Unity network Terms of Reference agreements, including providing guidance to countries in exercising GISRS Unity Studies protocols during a seasonal influenza epidemic or a zoonotic influenza outbreak.
- Deliverable 2: Contribute to GISRS Unity activities, including organizing quarterly meetings of internal WHO experts, facilitating meetings, supporting the Expert Group, and engaging regularly with external partners.
- Deliverable 3: Actively engage with the GISRS Unity network including maintaining a Community of Practice and organizing a series of webinars and in-person meetings.
- Deliverable 4: Develop toolkit items to support GISRS Unity studies protocol implementation including data collection tools, data sharing agreements, launching a data reporting system in RespiMart, and supporting countries in piloting these tools.
- Deliverable 5: Analyze the Network capacity, identify gaps, and prepare a report summarizing highlights from the second year of the GISRS Unity network, including sites engaged, sites piloting and activities accomplished, and a proposal of priorities for the third year.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational qualifications:
Essential: Minimum first university degree in microbiology, virology or other relevant areas.
Desirable: Advanced university degree and/or PhD in virology, biomedical science or other related areas.
Experience:
Essential: Experience synthesizing complex technical public health information for systematic review and meta-analysis. 5 to 10 years of relevant experience working on pandemic preparedness and respiratory virus surveillance and epidemiology.
Desirable: Experience at the international level
Skills/Knowledge:
Essential: Excellent analytical skills complemented by good interpersonal and communication skills. Excellent writing skills. Demonstrated knowledge on influenza surveillance and/or research.
Languages:
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Working knowledge of another WHO official language.
Location:
Off site: Home-based
Travel:
The consultant is expected to travel.
Remuneration:
Remuneration: USD 7,000–9,980 per month
Duration:
6 months (January–June 2027)
How to apply:
Please submit your Stellis profile in PDF format by email to whoinfluenza@who.int, using the following subject line:
CONSULTANT – WHO GLOBAL INFLUENZA SURVEILLANCE AND RESPONSE SYSTEM (GISRS) INVESTIGATIONS AND STUDIES
Please note that applications for this consultancy cannot be submitted directly through Stellis (WHO’s recruitment website).
How to create your Stellis profile:
Access the WHO Careers website via the following link: WHO Careers, then click Sign In in the top right corner.
- If you already have an account, enter your login credentials.
- If you do not have an account, select New User and create your account.
- If you have forgotten your username or password, use the relevant recovery option or contact globalservicedesk@who.int for assistance. Temporary credentials can be provided if required.
- Please do not create duplicate accounts.
How to save your Stellis profile as a PDF:
Once you have created your profile, click your name at the top right-hand corner of the page and click “Profile”. Please click “Print” at the right-hand corner of the page to create a PDF file.
Only responses received by 28 September 2026 at 17:00 Geneva time with the above-indicated document will be considered.
Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. Due to the large number of applications received, individual inquiries concerning this vacancy notice cannot be answered. Candidates who fail to provide all required information and documentation will not be considered for this position.