Consultant to support development of regional framework on NCD management

BACKGROUND

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of death and disability in the Western Pacific Region. NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes threaten progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, and rest on effective prevention and control measures to ensure that these targets are met.

The management of NCDs requires a strong health systems orientation that, among others, provides individual NCD services. A more integrated, patient-centred approach necessitates innovation for the long-term management of people with multiple chronic conditions, in order to improve early diagnosis and optimal treatment outcomes at primary healthcare level. Risk-based management and simplified protocols for specific diseases and conditions benefit from capitalizing on these innovative tools as well.

At a higher level, NCD management likewise entails a policy framework and evidence by which to integrate NCDs into national health plans—evidence that rests on relevant, quality and timely information, gathered from effective systems in place across all levels of care.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The Management of Noncommunicable Diseases (MND) unit of the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO WPRO) is looking for a consultant to support work towards developing a regional framework on NCD management that will guide countries in the Western Pacific Region on how to orient health systems towards providing integrated, people-centred services that “accompany” them through the continuum of care, including through a life-course approach for the management of NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, as well as cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, oral health, eye health and hearing impairment. A consultant is needed to:

• • Thorough desk review and research on the current implementation status of the Package of Essential NCD interventions (PEN), or similar primary healthcare strengthening programmes for NCDs, in countries across the Western Pacific Region
• • Provide constructive conceptual support for the regional framework on NCD management with inputs from other technical experts and develop into one consolidated document; and,
• • Provide assistance to the technical unit and Member States on the implementation of the regional framework on NCD management, upon request.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

The work will be performed at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific and will require daily interaction with the technical unit.

Output 1: Conduct a thorough desk review further research on the current implementation status of PEN, or similar primary healthcare strengthening programmes for NCDs, in each country across the Western Pacific Region

Output 2: Contribute to the development of a regional framework on NCD management that will guide countries in the Western Pacific Region on how to orient health systems towards providing integrated, people-centred services that accompany them through the continuum of care, using a life-course approach for the management of NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, as well as cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, oral health, eye health and hearing impairment

Output 3: Support other related activities in the MND unit that may be pertinent to this TOR

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Output 1: Conduct a thorough desk review further research on the current implementation status of PEN, or similar primary healthcare strengthening programmes for NCDs, in each country across the Western Pacific Region

Deliverable 1.1: A detailed mapping and report on implementation of PEN, or similar primary healthcare strengthening programmes for NCDs, in each country in the Western Pacific Region, in the perspective of 1) the continuum of care – health promotion, prevention, early detection, treatment, palliative care, rehabilitation; and 2) policy planning – coordination mechanisms, costing/financing, procurement and distribution, workforce development and supervision, service delivery and referral systems, legislation and regulation, etc.

Deliverable 1.2: Coordinate necessary regular and irregular communication with partners to collect technical information and success stories  

Deliverable 1.3: Assist the unit in developing advocacy material and policy briefs based on the findings from Deliverable 1.1

Output 2: Contribute to the development of a regional framework on NCD management that will guide countries in the Western Pacific Region on how to orient health systems towards providing integrated, people-centred services that accompany them through the continuum of care, using a life-course approach for the management of NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, as well as cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, oral health, eye health and hearing impairment

Deliverable 2.1: Draft a chapter on current status and good practices of integrated, people-centred services at the primary-care level at global, regional and country level, with a focus on cardiovascular diseases and diabetes

Deliverable 2.2: Draft a chapter on methods to integrate NCD management into national health plans and systems through governance and multi-sectoral partnership

Deliverable 2.3: Develop one consolidated document for the regional framework on NCD management by liaising with other technical experts who will draft or provide content on other diseases (cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, oral health, eye health and hearing impairment) and health system components (costing/financing, essential medicines/technologies, supply chain system, health workforce development, surveillance systems)

Deliverable 2.4: Support development of a practical toolkit to guide countries on how to implement the regional framework on NCD management

Deliverable 2.5: Conduct in-country missions for the planning and implementation of the regional framework and toolkit on NCD management, upon request.

Output 3: Support other related activities in the MND unit that may be pertinent to this TOR

Deliverable 3.1: Prepare and submit documents and materials to facilitate relevant meetings and workshops

Deliverable 3.2: Documentation of programmes and activities as necessary, including concept notes, briefings, reports, press releases, articles, scientific papers, etc.

Deliverable 3.3: Submit quarterly achievement report summarizing status of deliverables listed above

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  

A university degree in a medicine, nursing, public health or other health-related profession

EXPERIENCE

Essential:

Minimum ten years of combined national and international experience working in the area of noncommunicable diseases (NCD) and/or primary healthcare strengthening

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Report writing. Excel data analysis software

LANGUAGES

Written and spoken fluency in English (Read – Write – Speak / "Expert" level)

COMPETENCIES

• • Teamwork
• • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• • Communication
• • Producing results
• • Moving forward in a changing environment

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• • Upon finalization of the contract intellectual property of content and products shall revert to WHO.
• • Any data or results may not be shared or distributed without approval of the responsible officer in WHO.
• • The contractual partner will be based at WHO WPRO, Manila, Philippines to perform the tasks related to this activity.
• • The selected candidate will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.
• • Starting date is 1 February 2021 for duration of 5 months

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 19 January 2021. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 120261 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.