The Pandemic Fund

1. Background

The devastating human, economic, and social cost of COVID-19 has highlighted the urgent need for coordinated action to build stronger health systems and mobilize additional resources for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) in International Development Association (IDA) and International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) countries.

Against this backdrop, the World Bank, in close collaboration with the World Health Organization, as the lead international technical agency responsible for PPR and custodian of the International Health Regulations (IHR, 2005), established the Pandemic Fund on June 30, 2022, as a dedicated, multilateral funding mechanism to support critical investments to strengthen PPR capacities at national, regional, and global levels, with a focus on IDA and IBRD countries. The Pandemic Fund was formally established as a Financial Intermediary Fund (FIF) in September 2022, with its Secretariat hosted by the World Bank. It has been evolving since then, maintaining its principles and focus areas as detailed in the Pandemic Fund Medium term Strategic Plan (2024-2029). 

The Pandemic Fund is a collaborative partnership among donor governments, co-investors (countries that are eligible to receive FIF funding), foundations, civil society organizations, and Implementing Entities (IEs), including the World Bank, IFC, other MDBs; UN agencies, including the WHO; and other specialized global health institutions. 

The governing and administrative bodies of the Pandemic Fund are (i) the Governing Board, (ii) the Technical Advisory Panel (TAP), (iii) the Secretariat, and (iv) the Trustee.  The IEs support implementation of Pandemic Fund-financed projects and activities.

As set out in the Pandemic Fund Governance Framework, and according to the Terms of Reference for the TAP, the TAP is an advisory panel to the Governing Board (hereinafter “Board”) of the Pandemic Fund. The TAP provides independent advice to the Board on critical gaps in pandemic PPR, funding priorities and Calls for Proposals, as well review of funding proposals submitted to the Pandemic Fund, in line with the principles for evaluating submissions approved by the Board. In this way, the TAP can support the Pandemic Fund with its goal of financing projects and activities that help strengthen capacity building and implementation of PPR under the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005) and other internationally endorsed legal frameworks, consistent with a One Health approach (see Governance Framework, paragraph 17). 
 

2. Expertise and Key Qualifications

TAP experts shall possess strong expertise across the full set of technical areas in which the Pandemic Fund operates, including scientific, programmatic, operational, systems and structural contexts of PPR which are required to build resilient health and community systems. This will be in full support of the implementation of the IHR (2005) core capacities for PPR integrated into health system strengthening, particularly in the following key areas: (i) disease surveillance; (ii) laboratory systems; (iii) health workforce capacities, including community health workers; (iv) health  emergency management; (v)  emergency and clinical care; (vi) infection prevention and control; (vii) risk communication, and community engagement and leadership; (viii) zoonotic diseases and One Health approaches; (ix) medical countermeasures; and (x) multisectoral coordination structures such as National Institutes of Health and Health Emergency Operation Centers. 

Collectively, the cohort of TAP experts should have: i) deep knowledge of the latest scientific evidence, up-to-date international guidelines and normative guidance, including new developments, approaches, good practices, and technologies for strengthening PPR; ii) expertise in economics and financing, including in assessing strategic investments and evaluating value for money and sustainability in the review of funding proposals as well as in expertise in innovative financing mechanisms, partnerships and health finance ; iii)  expertise in assessing expected results/impacts of funding proposals and in monitoring and evaluating programs in IDA and IBRD countries, preferably in the context of PPR programming; and iv) expertise in integrating gender equality, human rights and broader health equity considerations into health systems strengthening programs and projects in IDA and IBRD countries. Individual applicants should demonstrate deep knowledge, expertise, and experience in one or more of these areas. 

Additionally, the TAP expert shall possess the skills and competencies required to carry out the TAP’s roles and responsibilities, including:

1. Proven experience and ability to assess and prioritize the appropriate mix of interventions and choices for maximum impact, and program quality, effectiveness and efficiency;
2. Proven experience and ability to review programmatic plans, including funding proposals, and associated documentation;
3. Ability to articulate and communicate effectively the outcomes of reviews, complex results, and lessons learned in writing (in English). Proficiency in other World Bank official languages is an advantage;
4. Demonstrated commitment to the highest standards of professional integrity;
5. Excellent ability to communicate and synthesize effectively complex concepts effectively in both written and spoken English;
6. Capacity to work effectively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds; and
7. Preferably, practical experience in working on PPR in IDA and IBRD countries, including with governments, civil society, and other partners. 
    

3. Deliverables

1. Review Funding Proposals: Conduct a qualitative and quantitative review of funding proposals submitted to the Pandemic Fund’s Call for Proposals process and provide individual recommendations and contribute to developing consensus-based recommendations for the Pandemic Fund Governing Board’s consideration.
2. Participate in Technical Working Groups: offer expertise and actively participate in working groups focusing on technical issues related to PPR as requested by the Pandemic Fund Governing Board.
3. Provide Technical Advice on Project Modifications: Review and provide technical input on any changes requested for projects after they have been approved for funding by the Pandemic Fund, ensuring that adjustments align with the Fund’s goal and objectives. 
4. Engage in Meetings and Calls: Attend both virtual and in-person TAP meetings and calls to discuss ongoing projects, new proposals, and other aspects related to the Pandemic Fund and within the TAP ToR. 
5. Contribute to Evaluations: Participate and provide feedback for the annual TAP self-evaluation and any other evaluations conducted on behalf of the Pandemic Fund Governing Board to assess the Pandemic Fund’s performance and effectiveness.
6. Support Project Visits and Implementation: When requested by the Secretariat, take part in and provide technical support to project visits in order to strengthen the proposal review process as well as the implementation of funded projects, as needed. 
    

4. Duration

The appointment as TAP expert will be for a two-year period with a total of 25 working days from February 1, 2025 to January 31, 2027. Please note that if selected, membership will be in a personal capacity.

For details on the selections experts please refer to the Procedures for Resetting the TAP and to the Terms of Reference for the TAP.
 

Submitting your expression of interest:    

[DEADLINE EXTENDED]
To express your interest in being considered for the Pandemic Fund TAP, please submit the following documents by 11:59PM EST, 22 September 2024 using the subject line “Expression of interest for the Pandemic Fund TAP” to the_pandemic_fund@worldbank.org. 

• A cover letter, indicating your motivation to apply and how you satisfy the selection criteria. 
• Your curriculum vitae