Agreement for Performance of Work (APW) – Developing a Technical Position Paper on “Reimagining the Role of Community Engagement”

BACKGROUND

There is widespread agreement that addressing the immediate and long-term impacts of COVID-19 will require meaningful engagement with a broad spectrum of communities and stakeholders across government and civil society. Engaging communities must centre the needs and empowerment of people, relationships built on trust and respect between stakeholders working together, and must address entrenched power dynamics and inequities. These factors must be operationalized in public health programming if we are to achieve our For the Future vision of making the Western Pacific Region the healthiest and safest region and the broader GPW13 agenda.

In the Western Pacific Region (WPR), the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies (APSED III) is a common strategic framework guiding the joint action of Member States, WHO, and partners to advance implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005). Through strengthening the core capacities required under the IHR (2005), countries can save lives and protect health during outbreaks and health emergencies, such as during the current pandemic. Community engagement is listed as a critical component under the risk communication focus area in APSED III. In the WHO Western Pacific Regional Action Plan for the Response to Large-Scale Community Outbreaks of COVID-19, community engagement is one of the key priority areas identified to quickly and effectively mobilize and empower communities to engage, reverse, and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 through improved adherence to public health and social measures (PHSMs). Strengthened community engagement also allows the health sector more time to prepare for and respond in realistic, relevant, and appropriate ways to the needs and challenges of every population group.

The CE Research Initiative, led by WHO-HQ, WPRO-Data, Strategy, and Innovation, and WPRO-Social Determinants of Health/Violence and Injury Prevention (SDH/VIP), is introducing scientific rigor to WHO’s technical advice and recommendations on CE, which will inform and help shape WPRO’s CE strategy in the context of COVID-19 and beyond. The CE Research Initiative is building an evidence base for the many ways in which CE supports health system strengthening during COVID-19 response and beyond. Three interdisciplinary pathfinder research teams in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Malaysia are designing and testing relational complexity-based CE models and interventions. The interventions are focused on improving retention of care for people living with HIV/AIDS in Cambodia, increasing essential maternal and child health services uptake in Lao PDR, and strengthening mental health services among refugees and asylum seekers in Malaysia in the context of COVID-19. Through this research, WHO is strengthening technical alignment across health programmes and at the three levels of WHO to better understand why and how CE works. It also provides more detail on the system and service level enabling conditions, as well as the relational skills and competencies, needed by the health sector to effectively build collaborative partnerships across different levels of the health system and with a diverse range of stakeholders. As such, the CE Research Initiative supports the mindset and practice shifts from vertical top-down health programming to promoting the emergence of multiple communities engaged in improving their own processes, innovating and capable of finding their own solutions to their own challenges.

This APW will marshal insights generated from the CSO and CE Research Initiatives to outline how community engagement interventions in WPR have contributed to COVID-19 response and recovery efforts and other health priorities, especially for vulnerable populations. The purpose of this position paper is to situate and document WHO's position on community engagement and develop recommendations for an effective organizational strategy that Member States can implement during health emergencies and beyond, with the broader goal of addressing the needs of vulnerable populations and increasing health equity. The target audience include national-level decision makers and policymakers, donors, UN agencies, community-level organisations and networks, and other key stakeholders. This product can be disseminated through regional level communications channels, including the website, newsletters, and social media, as well as regional level networks, such as the Regional CE and Gender Equity and Human Rights Networks. As a WPRO-led position paper, this product can also be leveraged by our Member States to implement CE strategies, and by our colleagues at HQ to share with other regional offices and donors who are interested in advancing their commitments to community engagement to improve health outcomes.
 

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of this APW is to support the Community Engagement sub-pillar in the development of a technical position paper on “Reimagining the Role of Community Engagement – A WHO Position Paper.”

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

• • Develop a position paper (with executive summary, footnotes, and references) that outlines WHO, country focal points, and other partners’ technical positions on CE with supporting rationale based on learnings from the CSO and CE Research Initiatives. The position paper will include actionable recommendations for CE during COVID-19 and beyond for Member States.
• • Participate in weekly meetings with SDH/VIP and CE teams to provide project updates.
• • Develop a PowerPoint presentation slide deck highlighting the main points in the position paper, along with speaking notes

METHOD(S) TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

• • Develop a work plan with an accompanying timeline;
• • Upon approval of the work plan, develop the proposed structure and outline of Position Paper;
• • Upon approval of the proposed structure and outline, conduct a virtual scoping review of both quantitative and qualitative information and data generated through the CSO and CE Research Initiatives to develop the Position Paper;
• • Based on findings, develop and submit a draft of the Position Paper;
• • Based on input and feedback from the SDH/VIP and CE teams and relevant enabling partners, revise and finalize the Position Paper;
• • Develop set of slides and speaking notes based on findings to present to stakeholders.

Output 1: Development of “Reimagining the role of Community Engagement – A WHO Position Paper,” with accompanying slides.

Deliverable 1.1

• Work plan and timeline

Deliverable 1.2

• Proposed structure and outline of content of “Reimagining the Role of Community Engagement – A WHO Position Paper”

Deliverable 1.3

• Draft version of “Reimagining the Role of Community Engagement – A WHO Position Paper”

Deliverable 1.4

• Final version of “Reimagining the role of Community Engagement – A WHO Position Paper;”
• Findings and recommendations presented in slide deck with speaking notes

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education required:                  

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

Experience required:

• • At least two years of practical experience working in public health, particularly in the field of community engagement, gender, SDH/VIP, and/or health equity
• • Ample experience collecting and analysing qualitative and quantitative data and evidence, summarizing results into a report
• • Experience working in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings, preferably within the United Nations System

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

A thorough knowledge of practical approaches to promote gender equality, SDH/VIP and health equity, as well as community engagement strategies. Familiar with the topics of community engagement, gender, SDH/VIP and health equity related issues, preferably within the Western Pacific Region. Excellent writing and communication skills. Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations (UN system, donors, nongovernmental organizations).

Functional skills and knowledge:

• • Ability to collect and analyse quantitative and qualitative data and evidence
• • Ability to present and describe findings and summarize results in written reports and presentations.
• • Ability to work independently and deliver high quality work on time
• • Computer proficiency in Outlook, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Language requirements:

Fluent in written and spoken English

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

Place of assignment

The consultant will undertake the work in their own workplace/country of residence, but is expected to regularly communicate with regional WHO SDH/VIP team (by video conference/teleconference or similar platforms)

Duration of contract

10 November - 31 December 2021

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and cover letter with proposal to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 27 October 2021 (1700 GMT+8 Manila). 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed cost and timelines.

Please use Tender Notice No. 147965 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.