The UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP) is the main instrument within the United Nations system for identifying research priorities on sexual and reproductive health and rights; for promoting, conducting, evaluating and coordinating interdisciplinary research on sexual and reproductive health; for collaborating with countries to build national capacity to conduct research; and for promoting the use of research results in policy-making and sexual and reproductive health programmes.
As such, HRP, executed by the World Health Organization (WHO), organizes four advisory bodies, composed of independent experts in their respective fields, to review the work of the Special Programme and provide advice on advancing the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of sexual and reproductive health. The range of expertise represented on these advisory bodies is diverse and includes research experience in sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, contraception, maternal and perinatal health, comprehensive abortion care, sexual health, health systems and research capacity strengthening, among many other areas.
1. Scientific and Technical Advisory Group (STAG), is the principal scientific advisory body for HRP.
Its role is to review, from a scientific and technical standpoint, the content, scope, and dimensions of the Special Programme, including the research areas covered and approaches to be adopted; recommend priorities within the Special Programme; provide a continuous and independent evaluation of the scientific and technical aspects of the Special Programme; review the plans of action and the budget of the Special Programme during each financial period.
2. Gender and Rights Advisory Panel (GAP) advises on the integration of gender equality and human rights in all aspects of HRP’s work on sexual and reproductive health.
Its role is to review and provide advice on all aspects of the Special Programme’s work with attention to gender equality considerations and sexual and reproductive rights perspectives; propose mechanisms by which gender equality and rights concerns can be brought to bear across the Special Programme’s work; examine key concepts in the area of sexual and reproductive health from the perspective of gender equality and human rights, and provide guidance in this area.
3. HRP Alliance Advisory Board advises on HRP’s work in research capacity strengthening (RCS).
Its role is to provide strategic guidance and recommendations to the HRP Alliance and the broader RCS mandate of HRP; propose mechanisms and strategies to promote inter-regional collaboration among HRP and HRP Alliance partners and engagement with key organizations/external partners to harmonize global efforts for RCS in sexual and reproductive health and rights; provide scientific and technical review of the implementation of HRP’s RCS work, including that of the HRP Alliance.
4. Research Proposal Review Panel (RP2) is HRP’s institutional review board.
Its role is to organize expert review of research projects supported by the Special Programme. Such projects may involve human participants, including biological material obtained from human participants, information obtained from human participants, records accessed on human participants, or may involve animals in experiments. The type of research under consideration is not restricted and includes basic sciences, clinical, epidemiological, social sciences, operations, implementation, and health systems research.
Would you like to be considered?
More information about the selection criteria and the application process here.
The deadline for applications is 30 September 2025.