Institutional partner to support the World Health Organization (WHO) Vanuatu in developing and implementing a situational analysis of Healthy Ageing in Vanuatu

BACKGROUND

According to the 2014 UNFPA report Population Ageing in the Pacific Islands there are approximately 16.000 Senior citizens (60+) in Vanuatu, adding up to 6% of the total population. By 2050 this number is predicted to quadruple, reaching 64.000 or 14% of the total population. The pace of ageing is accelerating due to improvements in life expectancy and declining fertility rates. This phenomenon is associated with important challenges and opportunities.

In October 2020, the Western Pacific Regional Committee adopted the Regional Action Plan on Healthy Ageing (RAP) and requested WHO to support Member States to prepare for population ageing. The RAP aims to support Member States to improve the health and well-being of older populations in the Western Pacific Region, so that they thrive and contribute to their societies. WHO/WPRO/WHO VUT and Ministry of Health of Vanuatu would like to address underlying issues of older people in Vanuatu, based on the Regional Action Plan on Healthy Ageing in the Western Pacific, and advocates for the importance for Vanuatu to develop its own national action plan on healthy ageing.

To support this initiative and align with principles of evidence-based advocacy and policy-making, WHO would like to assess the circumstances, experiences, and expectations of older people in Vanuatu, as well as the current national policy context surrounding ageing. This assessment requires to review existing scientific literature and policies, and collect empirical data on experiences of older people. 

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The World Health Organization (WHO) Vanuatu and WHO Healthy Ageing Unit at the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) are searching for an institutional partner to support them in developing and implementing a situational analysis of Healthy Ageing in Vanuatu.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Under the supervision and guidance of WHO VUT & Healthy Ageing Unit, the Contractor will work on the following:

During Research Phase 1 from 25 August 2022 until 15 October 2022:

Output 1: Develop and implement initial situational analysis of older people’s circumstances, experiences, and expectations, and the policy context encompassing ageing in Vanuatu.

Deliverable 1.1.: analyse existing data using qualitative analysis software (e.g. NVivo, Atlas.ti, etc.).

Deliverable 1.2.: conduct a rapid literature review on the context of ageing in Vanuatu, including policy review.

Deliverable 1.3.: write up internal report on findings of initial situational analysis of ageing in Vanuatu

Output 2: Prepare implementation of Research Phase 2

Deliverable 2.1.: apply for and secure ethics approval from WHO and relevant academic institution (if required) to cover in-depth situational analysis and publication in peer-reviewed journal planned for Research Phase 2.

During Research Phase 2 from 16 October 2022 until 31 December 2022:

Output 3: conduct in-depth situational analysis of older people’s circumstances, experiences, and expectations, and the policy context surrounding ageing in Vanuatu suitable for an academic publication.

Deliverable 3.1.: Further analyse data from Research Phase 1 using qualitative analysis software (e.g. NVivo, Atlas.ti, etc.)

Deliverable 3.2.: Write up and submit at least one article on analysis and findings from the literature review and qualitative interviews to a recognized peer-reviewed scientific journal with the objective of supporting the development of healthy ageing policy/interventions in Vanuatu.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education and certifications

• • Essential: The team or individual must have a Master’s degree in public health, health sciences, social sciences, gerontology, or other relevant health and ageing-related disciplines.
• • Desirable: PhD degree in public health, health sciences, social sciences, gerontology, or other relevant health and ageing-related disciplines.

Work experience

• • Essential: Minimum five (5) years of relevant research experience in health and public health topics.
• • Desirable: Extensive work and research experience, and proven record in ageing research. Knowledge and understanding of ageing policy, interventions, and gerontology.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

• • Outstanding ability to understand and support ageing research;
• • Demonstrated project management skills;
• • Excellent communication and coordination skills;
• • Advanced knowledge and skills in qualitative research, literature review, qualitative data analysis, report and scientific publication writing;
• • Persistence in follow up, tact and diplomacy to work with international stakeholders;

Language Fluency

• English (Read – Write – Speak / Expert-level)

Competencies

• Communicating in a credible and effective way
• Producing results
• Fostering integration and teamwork

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Place of assignment: The work will be conducted remotely.
 

SUBMISSIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 5 July 2022

• • Curriculum Vitae {for individual contractors/team members} or Company Profile {for institutional applications}
• • Cover letter. The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this bid.
• • Proposal indicating methodology, timelines and cost

Please use Tender Notice No. 176911 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
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• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.