Expression of interest
The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking approximately 20 individuals for each of three new clinical guideline development processes covering sepsis, diphtheria, and viral respiratory diseases. Selected individuals will serve on the respective Guideline Development Groups (GDGs), which are responsible for formulating recommendations based on the best available evidence presented during the guideline development process.
Each clinical area will constitute an independent WHO guideline process and result in a separate publication. The guidelines will incorporate living recommendations, which are continuously reviewed and updated to ensure they remain relevant and aligned with emerging evidence.
This call provides information on the guideline development and expression of interest processes. WHO is committed to assembling GDGs that collectively reflect a broad diversity of geographical representation, professional expertise, and experience. In addition to clinical, ethics, and health systems experts, applications are encouraged from individuals with lived experience of these diseases, including patients and patient advocates.
Applicants will be required to complete an online form (click here) and upload the required supporting documents.
Applications must be submitted by Monday 19 October 2026 at 23:59 Geneva time.
Background
The new clinical guidelines areas cover diphtheria, sepsis, and viral respiratory diseases. These guidelines will address priority research questions identified during the development of recent WHO recommendations and provide updated, evidence-based guidance for clinical practice.
WHO will apply the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework to systematically assess and synthesize evidence and to support the formulation and presentation of recommendations. This process includes consideration of contextual factors that may influence the relevance and implementation of the recommendations. The guidelines are intended for global use and will specifically take into account the challenges of delivering care in resource-constrained settings and, where relevant, humanitarian contexts.
Each guideline will adopt a living guideline approach; whereby emerging evidence is actively and regularly monitored.
In line with the living guideline approach, the relevant Guideline Development Group (GDG) will be reconvened whenever consequential new evidence is identified to review the updated evidence base and, where appropriate, update the recommendations.
This approach enables WHO to provide timely, transparent, and evidence-informed guidance while maintaining rigorous reporting standards.
Functions of the guideline development groups
The GDG shall have the following functions, consistent with the WHO Handbook for Guideline Development:
- Support the development and refinement of key guideline questions in PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome) format.
- Review priority outcomes that guide the evidence reviews and focus the recommendations;
- Comment and input into the protocols of evidence searches, the ensuing results, and any assessments of the quality of the evidence identified.
- Formulate and agree draft recommendations and accompanying supporting text.
- Review final proposed guideline text for accuracy and readability.
Expertise Sought
WHO particularly seeks experts with recognized expertise in one or more of the following areas:
- Medical, nursing and allied health professionals with subject area expertise – this includes those drawn from primary and secondary level care, although each guideline will have a mostly hospital-based scope.
- Individuals with lived experience of in-patient care related to the guideline subject areas;
- Individuals working in health systems implementation, quality improvement and/or guideline implementation at national level;
- Individuals with specific experience in medical ethics, health equity and social determinants of health in relation to clinical decision making.
Guideline Development Group (GDG) meetings and discussions will be conducted in English. Applicants should therefore possess sufficient technical proficiency in English to actively contribute within their area of expertise. WHO is committed to fostering an inclusive environment and, where feasible, will make reasonable accommodations to address specific communication needs.
Individuals with expertise spanning multiple or cross-cutting disciplines are welcome to apply to more than one guideline area.
Previous experience of guideline development or health technology assessment is desirable, but not a pre-requisite. More important is the ability to objectively interpret and balance different sources of evidence.
Constitution of these WHO guideline development groups
- Each GDG will be independent and multidisciplinary, with approximately 20 members.
- All WHO GDG members serve in their individual expert capacity and do not represent any governments, commercial industries or entities, research, academic or civil society organizations, or any other bodies, entities, institutions, or organizations.
- Representatives of commercial organizations cannot serve as members of a GDG.
- No honoraria or remuneration will be provided to any GDG members for their services or otherwise. They are expected to fully comply with the Code of conduct for WHO experts.
Expected commitment
The GDG will initially be constituted for the period November 2026 until May 2028 to develop and review recommendations, with the possibility of extension by mutual agreement.
Due to the nature of the guidelines, especially of the living recommendations, the exact time commitment is difficult to define. The need to review emerging evidence may require meetings to be convened at short notice (i.e. 2–4 weeks lead-time). The following estimates reflect WHO guideline groups’ previous experience:
- Orientation and preparatory reading for members unfamiliar with WHO guideline development methods and the GRADE approach: approximately 2 hours.
- For each guideline meeting: 1–2 hours preparation and review of materials; 2–3 hours meeting participation.
- Guideline meetings will be held at the inception of each guideline, and then when additional evidence becomes available.
- Each guideline at inception may require 2 to 3 meetings.
- Thereafter, no more than 4 meetings per year are anticipated for any guideline and only when emerging evidence necessitates review.
As part of the guideline process, one or more GDG members may be invited to serve as (co)-chairs. In such cases, and by mutual agreement, this would entail additional preparatory work with the methodology and evidence review teams.
Given the global composition of the GDG and the need to accommodate participants across multiple time zones, meetings may routinely take place outside standard working hours for some members, typically early in the day for those in the Americas, and late in the day for those in Asia and the Western Pacific.
GDG members are expected to attend over 75% of scheduled meetings; non-attendance is highly detrimental to the timelines and functioning of the overall committee.
Individuals who are unlikely to be able to meet these participation requirements are encouraged not to apply.
Submitting your expression of interest
Please submit the following no later than Monday 19 October 2026 23:59 Geneva time (CET).
Applications must be received through the electronic portal (click here) and accompanied by uploaded documents, specifically:
- Brief curriculum vitae, maximum 3 pages A4;
- A signed and completed Declaration of Interests (DOI) form for WHO Experts, available at https://www.who.int/about/ethics/declarations-of-interest; and
- A signed and completed Confidentiality Undertaking form
- A field within the application form includes a cover letter in which you may explain your motivation to apply (maximum 300 words).
Selection processes
Selection of Guideline Development Group (GDG) members will be based on technical expertise, experience in policy development and implementation, demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, complex and practical decision making, and ability to engage constructively with colleagues from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
WHO may schedule telephone interviews with shortlisted applicants to discuss their professional experience and technical expertise, and to evaluate their eligibility and suitability for membership in the relevant Guideline Development Group (GDG).
WHO reserves the right to accept or reject any expression of interest, to cancel or modify the open call process at any stage, and to reject any or all applications without incurring any liability to applicants or any obligation to provide the reasons for such decisions. WHO also reserves the right, at its sole discretion, not to proceed with the establishment of the Guideline Development Group (GDG).
WHO is under no obligation to disclose or discuss the outcome of any application, the manner in which applications were assessed, or any aspect of the evaluation and selection process. Nor is WHO required to provide reasons for the selection or non-selection of any applicant.
Given the anticipated high level of interest, only applicants selected for further consideration will be contacted.