Call for nominations

Call for nomination of experts to serve on the Polio Research Committee

Background

The Polio Research Committee (PRC) was established in March 2008 to provide guidance to the director of the Polio department at the World Health Organization (WHO) on the research and development (R & D) part of the poliovirus eradication. Over the years, PRC oversaw the identification of knowledge gaps, evolving needs for research into acceleration of eradication and for the policy formulation for the post-eradication era. A bi-annual process of inviting research proposals and review by PRC has been established, by which the proposals are reviewed and the relevant scientifically sound proposals are recommended for funding from the International Polio Plus Committee (IPPC) of Rotary International. Multiple proposals on the new poliovirus vaccine trials, new immunization schedule, affordable vaccines, novel vaccine delivery devices, safer vaccine production, outbreak response plan, and innovative monitoring and program evaluation tools have been implemented through this mechanism.

PRC continues its operations of guiding and monitoring the research needs for acceleration of polio eradication and the post-eradication immunization policies and the risk management.

On behalf of the Director, Polio Department of WHO, the PRC has been charged to: (For more details, see PRC’s Terms of Reference)

  1. Identify the remaining gaps in knowledge for interrupting wild poliovirus transmission and assessing and managing risks in the post-eradication era.
  2. Propose appropriate studies to be initiated, commissioned or funded to address priority knowledge gaps and review external research proposals in terms of conception, design and scientific merit, and determine their respective program and funding priorities.
  3. Monitor, evaluate and direct the dissemination of progress and findings from all relevant research.

Duration of membership and meetings

Duration of membership is established at three years, with the possibility to serve consecutive terms.  In any given year, efforts will be made to ensure that no more than two members shall be replaced.

PRC meetings are usually organized twice a year and each meeting is of two days duration. In addition, some teleconferences are held periodically to take up any priority projects/situations for discussion.

Expected expertise

  • Expert in vaccinology, or virology, or biosafety, or epidemiology, or clinical trial design or immunization programmes;
  • Expert in conduct and interpretation of clinical trials;
  • Knowledge of poliovirus eradication program; and
  • Where feasible, priority will also be given to those with experience in conducting vaccine-related research in developing country settings, particularly those of greatest programmatic importance to the GPEI.

Eligibility criteria

No research subcommittee member can have a financial or professional engagement with a commercial entity the use of whose products may be influenced by the PRC or its work.  In addition, PRC members may neither submit proposals for funding, nor shall they receive funds through any decision of the PRC. In addition, prior to being appointed as PRC members and prior to renewal of term, nominees and current PRC members shall be required to complete a WHO Declaration of Interest.

Process of selection

Selection of members will be performed by a panel including; current PRC Chair, WHO Polio Director, and representatives from Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) partners. In selection of PRC members, consideration will be given to attaining an adequate distribution of technical expertise, as well as balanced geographical and gender representation.

Proposals for nominations should be sent by email to polioresearch@who.int including brief statement of interest, Curriculum Vitae, indication of relevant expertise, and a completed declaration of interest form, with a subject line “Application for polio Research Committee”. Only complete nominations received by 31 December 2018 will be considered.