SHORT TERM CONSULTANCY (STC) for the Division of Combating Communicable Diseases

BACKGROUND

Reaching the unreached is a global and regional health policy priority.  This is in line with the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and is built on principle of universality and aims to ensure that no one is left behind.  Reaching the unreached is one of the four thematic priorities of the Region as stated in its vision paper - For the Future, Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region.

The Region has seen remarkable progress on important global and regional targets for HIV, TB, malaria, neglected tropical disease, polio, hepatitis B and measles.  Maternal mortality ratios and infant mortality rates have plateaued.  However, achieving “the last mile” became difficult for many disease programs and some ‘old’ diseases are resurging.  Significant numbers of people with communicable diseases and non-communicable disease conditions are missed through the current system – and not only in countries with weak health systems.  In fact, inequalities in the social determinants of health namely income, education level, gender, ethnicity, geographic location are expressed in inequitable health outcomes among different population groups across the Region.  In recognizing that progress has not equally benefited all population groups in the Region, countries are now striving to achieve the ambitious global  Universal Health Care targets and complete the business of preventing and eliminating morbidity, mortality and disability caused by communicable diseases and conditions by 2030 and reduce by one third of the premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

Taking a systems approach to reach the unreached would involve understanding and agreeing on political, social, cultural and economic determinants of health, to characterize and understand the causes and drivers of 'being the unreached' and interventions and initiatives that have already been implemented successfully “to reach the unreached”, including partnerships with community, other sectors, non-state actors and the private sector.  It will be important to integrate the successful elements of disease specific programs into existing health systems, and also to strengthen the systems to reach unreached populations for various programs.

PURPOSE AND DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

The Division of Programmes for Disease Control (DDC), in collaboration with the Division of Health System and Services (DHS) and in coordination with countries and other stakeholders, is developing the regional framework on reaching the unreached in the Western Pacific Region.  This thematic priority’s long-term goal is to transform health care delivery and the public health system, which will be able to reach the most vulnerable, marginalized and stigmatized population. 

Primary implementing partners will be the ministries of health. Some activities will be carried out in collaboration with technical partners and academic institutions.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Specific terms of reference include: 

A. Coordinating development of the Regional Framework on Reaching the Unreached

• • Support setting up of the internal technical working group and external technical advisory group
• • Support maintenance and coordination of the regional platforms and mechanisms
• • Organize the forum for sharing policy and strategy, knowledge exchange and discussion on how to operationalize the regional framework for reaching the unreached. 

B. Facilitate country consultations to support the implementation of the Reaching the unreached activities at the national level

• • Facilitate country consultations in collaboration with countries, ministries of health and technical partners to support the piloting of the regional framework at the national level and gather feedbacks.
• • Review of the National Plan and multi-sectoral partnership review.

C. Coordinating field testing and capacity building in countries

• • Coordination, follow up field testing in several countries (online)
• • Coordinate and Organize capacity building workshops in several countries (online)

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY AND LIST OF OUTPUTS

• • Regular meeting with different stakeholders
• • Prepare the background and key document and compilation of relevant data
• • Work with different stakeholders in organizing field testing and capacity building in countries.
• • Produce high quality report. 
• • Perform other related work as required

Output (s)

• • Deliverable 1.1: Monthly progress report of planned activities
• • Deliverable 1.2: Country consultations at the national level organized, workplan for field testing developed and monitored
• • Deliverable 1.3: Technical document/report on the  consultations held, field activities and capacity building workshops in countries as organized.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:    

• • University degree from a recognised university (may include medical, anthropology, social science, public health, epidemiology degrees)

EXPERIENCE
Essential:

• • Minimum 5 years’ work experience in public health at national and international level
• • Working knowledge of one or more countries in the Western Pacific Region would be an advantage
• • Consultant based in Manila is preferred.

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

• • Data collection, compilation and visualization skills
• • Communications and interview skills
• • Writing skills

LANGUAGES

• • Expert level of English is essential (Read-Write-Speak). Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

COMPETENCIES

• • Technical Expertise
• • Communication
• • Moving Forward in a Changing Environment
• • Producing Results

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Contract Duration:

The consultant is expected to work for 6 months from 10 May to 10 November 2021 (combination of face to face and working remotely)

Place of assignment:

Manila, Philippines

Medical clearance:

The selected consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel:

To be decided   

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested candidate should submit their CV and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > before 1 May 2021 (17:00 GMT+8) 

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. 126260 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.