Global Health Learning Centre 2023 English Language Supplier

The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking offers for a Contractor to deliver the English language and communication component of a virtual training course for health officials from several countries in the Western Pacific Region

BACKGROUND

The Global Health Learning Centre (GHLC) is a capacity strengthening programme uniquely offered by the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO). It aims to strengthen capacity of health officials to participate in and contribute to national, regional and global health agenda.

GHLC builds on the legacy programme, the English Skills Development and Leadership Management Programme (1986 to 1994), later renamed Communication and Leadership Management Programme (1995 to 2003), which helped trained about 450 fellows to improve English skills, broadened their knowledge of WHO's work and fostered collaboration between WHO and countries. In 2014, the Programme was reinstated with a name “Global Health Learning Centre (GHLC)”. The “technical” module that focused on trending regional and global topics as well as WHO’s work and priorities were added to the curriculum with the overall goal of building the capacity of health officials in understanding global health issues and enable their participation in and contribution to global health discussions and agenda.

In 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the programme was adapted to be a virtual training course. English training (Module A) and technical writing classes were delivered by a contracted service provider. Last year, the GHLC 2022 was delivered as a hybrid programme with Module A being virtual and Module B  delivered face-to-face in Manila, Philippines. The hybrid programme demonstrated to be more cost-effectiveness, compared with the full face-to-face modality, for both WHO and fellows. Therefore, GHLC 2023 will be held as a hybrid programme that is Module A (English training) being virtual and Module B (global health) being face-to-face.

Participation in the GHLC is by invitation, involving nominations of suitable candidates by countries.  All applicants are required to undergo an English proficiency assessment which will be conducted by the English training provider (the contractor). Provided that they meet eligibility requirements, applicants with English proficiency from 5.5 to 6.5 IELTS equivalent may be recommended for participation in the full programme (Module A and B). Applicants with English proficiency 6.5 IELTS equivalent or higher may be recommended for participation in Module B only. A bridging course will be conducted at the beginning of Module B as an orientation to the GHLC Module B. 

Based on experiences in previous years, it is estimated that GHLC 2023 will accept about 30 participants, of which up to 15 fellows will participate in both Modules A and B while another 15 will participate in Module B only including NPOs.

REQUIREMENTS/WORK TO BE PERFORMED

• • Propose to WHO detailed curricula for the following:
  • • detailed design for an intensive advanced English Language training (Module A), with educational objectives, to be delivered as an online course, for duration of two months, expecting to be from 05 June to 28 July 2023.
  • • detailed programme, with educational objectives, for a one-week  bridging course (Orientation to Module B), to be delivered face-to-face at the Regional Office in Manila, before the commencement of Module B.
  • • detailed programme, with educational objectives, for advanced English Language and communication skills training (including technical writing), to be delivered face-to-face, one half-day session per week,  during Module B, expecting to be from 01 August 2023 to 30  September 2023.
• • Liaise closely with WHO staff to maximize the integration of content, approaches and activities across both Modules A and B;
• • In consultation with WHO, conduct English Language proficiency assessment prior to course commencement; identify applicants who meet the proficiency requirements for participation in the GHLC course;
• • Conduct online English training as per the agreed designed programme; design and/or procure learning materials and provide them to each participant for the whole duration of the programme;
• • Assess the English Language proficiency level of each participant at the beginning (pre-test) and at the end (post-test) of Module A and award certificates to the participants; increase by at least one level (of IELTS or similar language standard) the proficiency of at least 90% of the participants at the end of Module A;
• • Conduct weekly workshops on technical writing during Module B.
• • Conduct a summative course on English and communication to prepare fellows for technical discussion (a bridging course before the commencement of Module B)
• • In collaboration with WHO, assess communication skills of the participants at the end of the programme (rehearsal and final fellows’ presentations of their projects).
• • Provide a full progress report at the end of Module A and at the end of Module B. Progress reports should include:
  • • participants' baseline and improvement rate and performance evaluation
  • • any issues that need to be formally brought to the attention of WHO. A summary of operational issues, including those that have been raised and solved in interactions between the institution’s programme coordinator and WPRO staff, and
  • • provide a report on evaluation of the course

CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTRACTOR

The successful bidder is expected to demonstrate experience and list relevant projects as follows:

Mandatory experience:

• • Proven experience in the field of development and delivery of English language training for professionals.
• • Previous work with WHO, other international organizations and/or major institutions in the field of  language training is an advantage

Desirable experience:

• • Experience in working with WHO or other UN agencies is desirable.

SUBMISSIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 11 May 2023

• • Company Profile {for institutional applications}
• • Technical proposal indicating methodology and timelines, in addition to the below annexes
  • Annex 2: Confidentiality Undertaking
  • Annex 3: Vendor Information Form
• • Financial proposal

Please use Tender Notice No. WPRO/2023-04/DHS_MCQ/199095 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Last day of receiving queries for this tender is on 4 May 2023