Development of futures of health podcast episodes

BACKGROUND

The Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI) unit was set up in 2019 in WHO’s Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) in response to the Regional Director’s white paper “For the Future” and focuses on innovation, data and strategic engagement with countries on health systems transformation.

DSI, through the Strategic Dialogue Unit (DIA), has been working with key stakeholders within Member States and countries to apply prospective/futures approaches to longer term health systems planning, by which a vision for the health future in 2050 is developed and plans to achieve that vision are formed through back-casting. DIA supports this process through strategic intelligence and strategic planning methodologies, both of which involve mobilizing knowledge beyond the health sector and actors beyond the more traditional expert voices.  

To support Member States in building visions for the future of their health systems, DIA is preparing a regional platform for strategic intelligence. This online platform will include short explanations about drivers of change in the Western Pacific region that will shape the future of health and health systems from now to 2050. Part of the contents will take the form of written policy briefs and short videos. DIA plans to complement these with a limited series of podcast episodes, most likely in the form of discussions between the podcast host and one or several interviewee(s).

The Futures Podcast

Podcast consumption in the Western Pacific Region is increasing, particularly among younger audiences. DIA has been engaging with youth in the Region through various projects, including Crowdsourcing for Health and SenseMaker, and would like to maintain or possibly grow its communication with this audience. The podcast format could therefore be another way for youth and people who are “on-the-go” to access our contents on health futures, in addition to written briefs and short videos.

With a limited series of episodes, and ideally partnering with an existing podcast in the form of a special edition, we would like to test if the podcast finds its audience and has the potential to become a regular touch point with youth and more broadly those interested in exploring the potential futures of health, as the world emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

To create a series of six to eight podcast episodes on the possible futures of health, featuring speakers from various horizons.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT 

• • To provide consulting services on how the best frame the podcast for our target audience, including episode duration, frequency, number of episodes, format, hosting platforms, marketing strategy to attract target audience.
• • To provide research and editorial services on podcast contents including, if necessary, title, tone, podcast host, soundtrack and visual identity as well as episode topics and possible interviewees (in coordination with DIA).
• • To ensure the recording and production of x number of podcast episodes in accordance with industry’s quality standards (format, script, recording, editing).
• • To provide analysis on key performance indicators of the podcast in order to measure success.

Method(s) to carry out the activity

DIA has very limited experience with podcast production and is looking for technical direction in addition to production services. As such, the partner is expected to support in design thinking which implies a level of co-creation.

Each step of the process will have to be iterated and receive sign-offs from different levels in the organization, which requires careful planning. DIA expects the partner to build in enough time to ensure that all stakeholders involved can contribute in accordance with their position.

All submissions should give a non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid up, perpetual, license to the World Health Organization for its use of the episodes including in public events (forums, trainings, etc).

Description of the tasks/process involved in carrying out the activity

Output 1: Framing the podcast

• • Familiarize with:
  • DIA’s overall mandate as well as objectives with the podcast;
  • Wider WPRO strategies particularly on youth
• • Elaborate and propose the design thinking approach in order to flesh out the podcast’s main characteristics; to be adjusted to target audience.  Note that this can be adapted depending on whether the partner already had a podcast based on which this could be a special edition.
• • Coordinate several rounds of iteration between partner and DIA to agree on key characteristics of the podcasts: number, duration, format
• • Propose marketing strategy to reach target audience
• • Produce brief including the main features and key performance indicators to be tracked to measure success

Output 2: Providing research and editorial services

• • Assist with the identification and selection of episode topics as well as guests
• • Lead on administrative aspects linked with guests’ participation (contacting, managing, schedules, declaration of interests, etc)
• • Lead on the identification of podcasts host (if entirely new podcasts)
• • Lead on the determination of podcast identity (title, tone, soundtrack, visuals)

Output 3: Recording and Production

• • Produce episode scripts, under DIA’s supervision (build in enough time here for reviews)
• • Record the episodes with state-of-the-art equipment to achieve the industry’s standards of sounds quality
• • Edit the episodes, in collaboration with DIA
• • Upload the episodes onto chosen platforms
• • Rollout marketing strategy as agreed

NB: it may be necessary to record all the episodes over a short period of time even though they may be aired one after the other over a few months. Please take this into account in your planning and budgeting.

Output 4: Analytics

• • The partner will be expected (in accordance with relevant laws), to track and analyse key data on audience including number of listeners, geographic location of the listeners (country), and if possible key demographic data such as gender and age of the audience, to be shared with DIA

Deliverables (to be submitted during and after the period of the assignment including manner of delivery and payment)

• • Deliverable 1 – Output 1: Concept brief, including agreed upon information on episode duration, frequency, number of episodes, format, hosting platforms, marketing strategy and key performance indicators.
• • Deliverable 2 – Output 2: Podcast identity.
• • Deliverable 3 – Output 2: List of topics and speakers for the series.
• • Deliverable 4 – Output 3: 6-8 scripts (one per episode).
• • Deliverable 5 – Output 3: 6-8 episodes (raw sound files and links to the platforms, one per episode).
• • Deliverable 6 – Output 4: short report on key analytics to measure podcast success.

QUALIFICATIONS

• • Demonstrated experience in podcast production
• • Project experience in the Western Pacific Region

COMPETENCIES

• Able to complete the task in the given time frame
• Producing results

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Duration of Contract: 1 February 2021 - 30 June 2021

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested individual or party should submit to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int >  and WP RO DIA  at wprodia@who.int by 24 January 2021 the following:

• • A letter of intention explaining who you are, why this is of interest to you (or your organisation), your understanding of the project and how you would conduct it (method), as well as any relevant comments on the tender. For instance, if you think something critical is missing, or the steps are not in the right order, please feel free raise it).
• • A detailed timeline for completion indicating the major steps and review timeframes.
• • A detailed budget (Budget must be provided in American Dollar and including and specifying all the necessary costs to produce the outputs, including taxes).
• • CV and Information on the organisation’s status (university, NGO, private entity, etc…).
• • Links to your podcast or podcasts you think correspond to what we are looking for.
• • References of previous work or clients/partners in relation with this tender.

N.B.: Expressions of interests from partners with an existing podcast of which DIA’s series could constitute a special edition are particularly encouraged.

Please use Tender Notice No. 120565 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.