Agreement for Performance of Work (APW) - Development of a regional report based on the findings from the first Global World Report on health of refugees and migrants

BACKGROUND

Data on refugees and migrants are limited often to migration flows and some demographic characteristics. There exists some evidence on socio-economic aspects and health of these population groups, but focused mainly to sub-national levels, and rarely on a national or regional level at best. The samples represented in the data often are not disaggregated or representative of the different subgroups of refugee and migrant populations residing in a country or region. This is partially attributed to the ‘hard to reach’ aspect of these populations when it comes to data collection.

Absence of systematic efforts to include refugees and migrants in data collection across local, national, regional and global levels are present, despite several recent policy initiatives including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that aim to promote the health and well-being of all communities. Therefore, an urgent need for systematic, comparable and representative qualitative and quantitative evidence on various health issues of refugees and migrants. Such gap in evidence provides enormous challenges to understand the health needs of refugees and migrants and the heterogeneity present in this population group.

Filling this gap is required for evidence-informed policy making and targeted interventions that are impactful to make a difference in the lives of refugees and migrants. In moving towards the WHO Regional Office of the Western Pacific’s (WPRO’s) For the Future vision to become the world’s healthiest and safest region it is imperative we strengthen and target efforts to support communities and people who live in vulnerable situations. This work is foundational to WPRO as, first, we have an obligation to ensure our work reaches all people in the Western Pacific, especially those who live in vulnerable situations.

To support this work, the WPRO has been contributing to the first World Report on health of refugees and migrants – referred to as the ‘world report’ – an integral part of the 13th General Programme of Work (GPW13) output 4.1.1 that commits WHO to help countries to strengthen data, analytics and health information systems to have evidence informed policies and to have measurable and impactful programmes on the ground to help improve health conditions and henceforth the lives and livelihoods of refugees and migrants. This report is on track to be published in May 2022. In line with this Global Report, to support WHO Member States and WHO country offices in developing specific strategies to effectively identify and reach those who live in vulnerable situations, the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific will complement this effort by developing its own Regional Migration Report on the health of refugees and migrants, underpinned by the need to have a systematic gathering and reviews of evidence and policies on health and migration. This report will align with the Global Report and the Region’s For the Future strategic vision, touching on all priority areas. The Report also aligns with global commitments, including to leave no one behind in fulfilling the promises of delivering universal health coverage and meeting the SDGs and targets, and WHO’s triple billion targets – 1 billion more people benefitting from universal health coverage. 1 billion more people better protected from health emergencies. 1 billion more people enjoying better health and well-being.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The purpose of this APW is to develop a regional report based on the findings from the first Global World Report on health of refugees and migrants.

WORK TO BE PERFORMED

The contractor will develop the regional report, which will include a synthesis of findings from the comprehensive review of peer reviewed, grey literature, collection of raw data on the health of refugees and migrants and insights collected from country focal points within the Western Pacific Region. The regional report may follow the outline of World Report. Specifics are outlined below:  

Outputs:

Output 1: In coordination with the SDH/VIP team, develop a Regional Report on health and migration.

Deliverable 1:  

• • A first draft of the report, including an executive summary highlighting the main results from the literature review and raw data collection.
• • The regional report should follow the similar structure of the World Report with emphasis on regional trends (see below for more details).
• • Develop outline of report, taking inspiration from World Report on Health and Migration and incorporating WPRO’s context and priorities, including For the Future and the four thematic priorities of the Region’s strategic vision, the Sustainable Development Goals and GPW13. 

Deliverable 2:  

• • Define, develop and implement an evidence-based methodology to collect raw data collection and literature review of published quantitative and qualitative evidence, including those related to policies on health of refugees and migrants, analyse the results and identify gaps in evidence.  
• • Literature review
  • • The review will include analysis of published peer-reviewed scientific literature as well as grey literature covering the Western Pacific Region. 
  • • The review will collect qualitative and quantitative data and case reports on the following, but not limited to topics:
    • Health status of refugees and migrants 
    • Health system and policies
    • Health determinants (air, water, housing, employment status, income, gender, education, food and nutrition etc.) 
• • Inclusion criteria: 

• Documents published preferably since January 2016, but key documents dating backwards may also be considered.  
• Documents in English, as well as major WHO/UN language of the region. 

• • Raw data collection
  • Collection of both descriptive as well as multivariate analysis, to the extent possible within the limitations of the data, will be performed on the available datasets covering the Western Pacific Region
  • Using the Equidade dataset, containing data on health equity at global level, review data from DHS, MICS and other major surveys for equity analysis. This dataset will also be analyzed to present results on health inequities present among refugee and migrant populations.
• • Insights from Country Focal Points
  • With the support of the SDH/VIP unit, the contractor will convene with appropriate country focal points to gather insights on country best practices, including policies and programmes that have are being implemented on addressing the health of refugees and migrants

Deliverable 3:  

• • Revise the report and summary based on the comments provided by the SDH/VIP team 
• • Develop executive summary report

Deliverable 4: 

• • Review the draft of the regional report to support submission for proofreader. Address comments from proofreader.

Deliverable 5:

• • Finalize regional report and executive summary report 

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.  Additional education is an asset.

Experience:

• • At least ten years of practical experience working in public health, particularly in the field of the social determinants of health with specific experience on health of refugees and migrants
• • Ample experience of collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data and evidence, and presenting results using effective communication strategies.
• • Experience of having worked in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings, preferably within the United Nations System.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Knowledge of practical approaches to promote social determinants of health strategies. Familiar with health of refugees and migrants, health promotion and the social determinants of health-related issues 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 form conclusions and make recommendations from information provided.
• • Ability to draft products, including narratives and PPT presentations, which clearly and concisely communicates key outcomes of analysis and recommendations.
• • Ability to work independently and deliver high quality work on time.
• • Computer proficiency in Outlook, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Language requirements:

Good spoken and written English.

Competencies:

• • Producing results - Produces and delivers quality results. Is action oriented and committed to achieving outcomes.
• • 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 conflicts.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Place of assignment:

The selected contractor will be expected to work remotely during this assignment

Duration of contract:                                                         

3 January – 31 March 2022 (3 months)

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 8 December 2021

• • Curriculum Vitae (for individual contractors/team members) or Company Profile (for institutional applications)
• • Expression of Interest (cover letter). The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position
• • Technical and financial proposals. The proposals should include methodology, cost and timelines

Please use Tender Notice No. 156844 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.