Behavioural and Social Science Consultant

BACKGROUND

Behavioural science is increasingly used within public institutions to help those responsible for developing policies and programmes gain a better, more accurate and evidence-based understanding of how people behave and make decisions. A growing body of evidence indicates that the success of policies depends on individual behaviours and that policies designed in a relatively traditional way –namely those based on the assumption of rational behaviours for example - often fail to deliver the expected outcomes. Planning, designing, and implementing policies and programmes based on deeper understanding of human behaviour has been shown to significantly increase their impact.

In the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region and under the Communication for Health (C4H) approach, behavioural science is a fundamental tool to support the achievement of specific health outcomes in the Region. In Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam, WHO is working closely with government counterparts to strengthen capacities and implement projects based on behavioural insights (BI) approaches and data. The next step takes BI further in both countries with WHO supporting the establishment of BI functions within the Ministries of Health and delivery of initial and subsequent BI projects to help achieve each Ministry's public health priorities.

Therefore, WHO Representative Office to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore requires the expertise of a behavioural and social sciences specialist for continued provision of technical support to the Ministries of Health with ongoing and planned activities and to facilitate further knowledge sharing and use of behavioural insights across WHO programmatic areas.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

This consultancy will support WHO Representative Office in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore and the Ministries of Health in Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam to establish behavioural insights functions within the ministries, as well as to implement planned and future projects and initiatives in the field of behavioural and social science.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Under the supervision of WHO Representative and the Strategic and Risk Communication specialist, the consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:

Output 1: Provide technical support for the establishment of BI functions within the Ministries:

• • Deliverable 1.1: Build capacities of the task force/core teams assigned to establish BI functions through collaborative work and the use of existing or new WHO tools and resources.
• • Deliverable 1.2: Support the development of a strategy/roadmap/detailed implementation plan for the BI functions, including key performance indicators (KPIs).
• • Deliverable 1.3: Co-design and deliver BI trainings and knowledge-sharing sessions as needed, across MOH departments and key stakeholders to facilitate this process.
• • Deliverable 1.4: Develop or adapt tools and processes for the respective BI functions based on identified needs, tailored for each country’s specific context.
• • Deliverable 1.5: Produce baseline, mid-term, and final assessment of the BI core team capacities.

Output 2: Support the design, implementation, and evaluation of BI projects:

• • Deliverable 2.1: Continue to build in-country capacities to design and execute behavioural science research and projects.  Provide technical support and expertise to national counterparts with the development of methodologies, diagnosis of problems, design of interventions, data analysis and overall evaluation of the process, including lessons learned and further recommendations to guide subsequent country-specific research.
• • Deliverable 2.2: Support the completion of at least two projects, one in each country, based on demand defined by national counterparts.
• • Deliverable 2.3: Ensure that WHO technical guidelines, products and tools are integrated and reflected in the projects.
• • Deliverable 2.4: To maximise the rigour and completeness of the BI approaches and frameworks applied by following best practice, to make a strong case when disseminating the findings.

Output 3: Translation of experiences for further knowledge sharing and development:

• • Deliverable 3.1: Support knowledge sharing and capacity building across WHO programmatic areas by contributing to the development of curriculums, training materials and tools for internal use.
• • Deliverable 3.2: Develop a report for publication in a scientific of scholarly journal that captures the results, outcomes, and lessons learned from the implemented projects in the countries, with an emphasis on overall impact on public health and any relevant recommendations.

METHOD(S) TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITIES

• • Literature reviews
• • Thorough data analysis
• • Discussions with stakeholders to substantiate information collection
• • Drafting project scopes and concepts
• • Presentation of key findings

Deliverable/s:

• • Progress report (monthly)
• • Submission of a technical report at the end of the consultancy.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

An advanced University degree in communications, behavioural and social sciences, anthropology, psychology, or social marketing.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: 

• • Five years of experience in applying behavioural insights/science or related disciplines to policy making and/or to programme design and implementation.
• • At least 3 years of experience conducting behavioural science projects including behavioural diagnosis, intervention design and evaluation design and applying evidence reviews and applied qualitative and quantitative research methods.
• • Demonstrated experience developing strategies or implementation plans in fields related to behavioural insights/sciences and, tools and resources for the implementation of such strategies across an organization.
• • Proven experience in capability building and training of others to apply behavioural insights/sciences to public policies.

Desirable:

• • At least 5 years of experience in public health.
• • Experience in supporting and coordinating with stakeholders and/or high-level experts of different background and cultures.
• • Experience working on health topics for international organizations such as WHO or other UN agency or international NGOs.
• • Experience writing protocols for ethical review.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE 

• • Understanding and application of behavioural science theories, frameworks, and approaches.
• • Ability to think analytically, communicate effectively, and execute efficiently.
• • Understanding of policies and procedures, planning and strategy, as well as cross-sectoral skills
• • Demonstrated ability to review and synthetize data and information.
• • Proven skills in organizing and sharing information in writing and orally in a compelling and targeted way based on audiences’ needs.
• • Demonstrated ability to produce results, while respecting WHO's professional, ethical and legal framework.

LANGUAGES
Proficiency in English is essential.

COMPETENCIES

• • Teamwork
• • Diplomacy
• • Producing results
• • Ensuring effective use of resources
• • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Place of assignment

The consultancy will be carried in Cyberjaya, Malaysia with possibility of remote work for part of the consultancy.

Contract duration

10 October 2022 for 6 months

Medical clearance

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

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV and cover letter to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 30 September 2022. 

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

Please use Tender Notice No. 182758 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.