Agreement for Performance of Work (APW) – Development of a practical technical tool to evaluate Gender and Equity in the Western Pacific Region

BACKGROUND

Over the past few decades, countries across the Western Pacific region (WPR) have made significant progress towards improving the health and development of its populations. As a result of this progress, countries have experienced a reduction in poverty and extreme poverty, an expansion of social services to millions of people and an impressive growth of technological innovation.  Further, people are today living longer than ever before, fewer mothers are dying from pregnancy-related causes, more children are living past their first and fifth birthday, and fewer adolescents are having unintended pregnancies. 

Despite this progress at the national level, however, differences at the local level persist, with significant health gaps between and within different groups. For example, the proportion of deliveries in health facilities varies based on household wealth, with women in wealthier households and/or in urban areas more likely to deliver in a health facility than women in poorer households and/or in rural areas. In comparison, men, have a higher probability of premature mortality attributable to NCDs, like cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes and respiratory disease. Furthermore, although the impacts of climate change and infectious disease outbreaks such as COVID-19 will be felt by everyone, we know there are some groups that are at higher risk of its adverse impacts, including older adults, health workers, survivors of GBV, urban poor women, those experiencing homelessness, persons deprived of liberty, migrants and indigenous populations.

In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for the WPR, Dr Takeshi Kasai put forth a vision for the WPR that effectively responds to current and future regional health challenges through collectively acting today in addressing the challenges of tomorrow. Central to this vision is the need to apply a gender and equity lens to everything we do—a vision that has been operationalized through WPRO’s PB 2022-2023 operational planning process, which highlights gender and equity as one of its six guiding principles. To accompany this process, budget centers across the two levels of the institution in the WPR have been encouraged to align their PB 2022-2023 operational planning with the WHO output scorecard—a scorecard that includes a specific dimension related to gender and equity.

To support programs, divisions or budget centers across the two levels of the WHO institution in identifying gaps and opportunities for strengthening the gender and equity lens applied to PB2022-2023 operational planning and beyond, a practical technical tool will be developed.  This tool will be highly aligned with the vision set forth through WPRO’s For the Future document; build on the recommendations made by the consultant participating in WPRO’s Young Professionals Program focusing on Gender; incorporate guidance highlighted through WPRO’s PB 2022-2023 Operational Planning process; and draw from the gender and equity criteria set forth through the WHO output score card. The specific purpose of this technical tool will be to enable programs, divisions or budget centres across the two levels of the WHO institution in the Western Pacific region to evaluate the extent to which Gender and Equity has been applied to their programmatic and institutional work. An external consultant will be hired to do this work.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of this APW is to support in the development of a practical technical tool that will enable programs, divisions or budget centres across the two levels of the WHO institution in the Western Pacific region to evaluate the extent to which Gender and Equity has been applied to their programmatic and institutional work.

WORK TO BE PERFORMED

• • Develop a slide deck presenting proposed work plan with an accompanying timeline; structure and outline of technical tool;
• • Conduct a virtual scoping review of relevant evidence and information, including WPRO’s For the Future document, PB 2022-2023 guidance documents, the WHO output score card, etc;
• • Based on findings, develop and submit a draft technical tool to GER regional team for their consideration and feedback;
• • Based on feedback from GER regional team, revise and finalize technical tool;
• • Participate in weekly or bi-weekly meetings with GER regional team to provide project updates.

Method(s) to carry out the activity:

Output 1: Slide-deck presenting proposed work plan with an accompanying timeline; structure and outline of technical tool.

Deliverable 1.1:

• • Develop a slide deck with proposed work plan with an accompanying timeline; structure and outline of technical tool.
• • Present slide-deck to GER regional team for their feedback.

Output 2: Draft technical tool to enable programs, divisions or budget centres across the two levels of the WHO institution in the Western Pacific region to evaluate the extent to which Gender and Equity has been applied to their programmatic and institutional work.

Deliverable 2.1:

• • Upon approval of the proposed work plan, timeline, structure and outline of technical tool, conduct a virtual scoping review of relevant evidence and information;
• • Based on findings, develop and submit a draft of the technical tool to the GER regional team for their consideration and feedback.

Output 3: Final technical tool to enable programs, divisions or budget centres across the two levels of the WHO institution in the Western Pacific region to evaluate the extent to which Gender and Equity has been applied to their programmatic and institutional work.

Deliverable 3.1:

• • Based on input and feedback on draft technical tool, revise and finalize the technical tool.

Kindly refer to the attached Terms of Reference for the detailed, expected Outputs/Deliverables for this project.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education                                  

Candidates must possess at least a Master’s degree in Public Health, or a Master’s degree in a related field such as Social Work. Additional education is an asset.

Experience

• • At least 7 years of practical experience working in public health, particularly in the field of gender, health equity, and/or community engagement.
• • Ample experience in developing and operationalizing monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• • Skilled in collecting and analysing qualitative and quantitative data and evidence.
• • Experience working in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings, preferably within the United Nations System.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge

A thorough knowledge of gender mainstreaming, and practical approaches for operationalizing SDH and health equity. Familiar with the topics of gender, equity and SDH, preferably within the Western Pacific Region. Skilled in drafting monitoring and evaluation frameworks that use a gender and equity lens. Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations (UN system, donors, nongovernmental organizations).

Language requirements

Good spoken and written English.

Functional skills and knowledge

• • Skilled in drafting monitoring and evaluation frameworks that use a gender and equity lens.
• • Ability to collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data and evidence.
• • Computer proficiency in Outlook, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• • Producing results
• • Respecting and promotion individual and cultural differences
• • Teamwork

Competencies:

• • Producing results - Produces and delivers quality results. Is action-oriented and committed to achieving results.
• • Moving forward in a changing environment - Is open to and proposes new approaches and ideas. Adapts and responds positively to change.
• • Fostering integration and teamwork - Develops and promotes effective relationships with colleagues and team members. Deals constructively with conflict.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Duration of contract:     

15 Dec 2021 (2 months)

Place of assignment:

The Consultant will work remotely in their own workplace/country of residence.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists (individual contractor) should submit their CV/Company Profile, cover letter, and proposal with cost and timelines to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 5 October 2021 (1700 GMT+8 Manila time) 

Please use Tender Notice No. 145301 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.