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Qualifications

  Lead Writer / Ghostwriter (Commemorative Publications) 

Consultant Contract administered by:

1.    Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to engage a senior-level international consultant to lead the development of two commemorative publications documenting ten years (2016–2025) of the WHO African Region’s Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response Programme. The consultant will design research protocols, conduct comprehensive document reviews, synthesize technical and historical information, and draft two publication-ready manuscripts that capture the programme’s evolution, key achievements, lessons learned, and impact across Member States, while strengthening institutional memory and showcasing WHO AFRO’s contributions to emergency preparedness and response in Africa.

2.    Background

Established in 2016 following the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the WHO African Region's Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response Programme aims to ensure that countries in the Region are ready to prevent, detect, and effectively respond to public health emergencies. With the end of 2025, the programme has reached ten years of existence (2016-2025). This decade has been marked by unprecedented health challenges (Ebola, COVID-19, Mpox, cholera, natural disasters, etc.) and major reforms in how WHO AFRO supports its Member States. To capitalize on this experience and document lessons learned, successes, and the transformation of the health emergencies landscape in Africa, the Director's Office wishes to produce two reference publications. Prior to drafting these publications, it is necessary to develop two rigorous research protocols to structure data analysis and ensure the scientific validity of conclusions. To this end, it is necessary to recruit an experienced international consultant capable of acting as a "Ghostwriter" to draft these manuscripts from archives, reports, and testimonials from key actors.

3.       General Objective

Produce two complete manuscripts ready for publication, tracing the history and impact of the WHO African Region's Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response Programme over the period 2016-2025, to capitalize on a decade of experience and strengthen institutional memory. This mission includes, upstream, the development of two research protocols to guide analysis and writing.

Specific objectives

The holder will work within the Director's Office of the Health Emergencies Preparedness and Response Programme at the WHO Regional Office for Africa, under the direct supervision of the Regional Emergencies Director (RED). They are responsible for methodological design (research protocols), documentary research, synthesis of complex information, and drafting the publications. Tasks require regular contact with technical teams (incident management, surveillance, response, emergency operations) and the communications team to gather testimonials, validate technical information, and ensure narrative coherence with the Organization's strategic priorities.

Summary of Assigned Tasks

The post holder will perform the following tasks:

·         Develop two detailed research protocols to frame the production of the publications:

                                            I.            A quantitative protocol on epidemiological trends, effectiveness of responses, and determinants of success of the WHO AFRO Emergency Programme ;

                                          II.            A qualitative protocol on best practices, learning mechanisms, and organizational determinants of success in the WHO AFRO Public Health Emergencies Programme.

·         Conduct an exhaustive documentary review of strategic reports, evaluations, meeting minutes, and publications of the Health Emergencies Preparedness & Response Programme over the period 2016-2025 ;

·         Synthesize a decade of technical data and archives to extract key narratives, strategic turning points, and significant case studies ;

·         Develop and submit for validation a detailed plan for each of the two publications (structure, narrative framework, list of chapters, and thematic focus) within the first two weeks of the consultancy ;

·         Draft the manuscripts adopting an accessible and engaging narrative style, while respecting scientific rigor and the institutional voice of WHO ;

·         Highlight, through the narrative, unsung heroes (health personnel, communities, field experts) and the concrete impact of the Programme in Member States ;

·         Collaborate closely with the communications team and technical focal points to organize potential interviews with key staff (current and former) to enrich the narrative with direct testimonials ;

·         Submit a first complete manuscript (Version 0) for both books, intended for review and comments by the editorial committee ;

·         Integrate feedback and validations from the technical team and Director's Office to produce a final revised manuscript for both publications ;

·         Provide a database / annex listing sources, interviewed persons (if applicable), and references used to ensure traceability of information ;

·         Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, related to the editorial finalization of the publications.

4.       Technical Supervision

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of Regional Emergencies Director (RED) 

5.       Deliverables

The consultant will be responsible for producing the following deliverables:

        I.            Two validated research protocols (quantitative and qualitative) within the first three weeks of the consultancy.

      II.            A detailed and validated plan for each of the two publications (structure, chapters, focus) within the first four weeks.

   III.            A first complete manuscript (Version 0) for both books, submitted for review and comments.

   IV.            A final revised manuscript for both books, incorporating feedback and validations.

     V.            A database / annex listing sources, interviewed persons, and references used.

6.    Duration

6-months Assignement : Start date: 1/6/2026

7.    Remuneration

This consultancy is at P4 level , Salary:   USD 8,500 - 9,980 per month corresponding to Band level B of WHO consultant fees grid.

8.    Specific requirements

a)       Qualifications required

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master or Doctorate) in Medicine, Public Health, Epidemiology, or related field..

 Desirable: Additional training in research methodology, scientific writing, creative writing, or history of public health

b)      Experience required:

Essential:

·         At least ten (10) years of proven professional experience in public health, including significant international-level experience, with tangible evidence of producing scientific writings and developing research protocols.

Desirable:       

·         Proven experience in writing books, strategic reports, research protocols, or high-level institutional documents for ministries of health or international organizations.

·         In-depth knowledge of the United Nations system, particularly the WHO environment, its regional structures (AFRO), and its emergency response mechanisms (International Health Regulations, incident management systems).

·         Good understanding of health and geopolitical issues specific to the African continent.

9.    Skills / Technical skills and knowledge

·         Excellent research methodology skills (design of quantitative and qualitative protocols);

·         Excellent writing and narrative skills (storytelling) with the ability to popularize complex scientific and technical concepts without losing rigor;

·         Proven ability to synthesize large volumes of information (reports, data, archives) to extract a coherent and engaging narrative framework;

·         Professional discretion and ability to work as a "Ghostwriter" (the consultant will not be credited as the main author, but their role will be contractually acknowledged);

·         Excellent interpersonal skills to conduct interviews with high-level staff and technical experts with tact and diplomacy;

·         Autonomy, rigor, and adherence to strict deadlines, with the ability to work remotely with a team based in different time zones

10.Language requirements

Essential: Excellent command of English or French is required (depending on the language of the publications).

 Desirable: Good working knowledge of the other language (English/French) would be an advantage for consulting bilingual documents.

11.Place of assignment

Remote (Telework)/work from home