Research on Alcohol marketing, including advertising, promotion and sponsorship in 3-5 selected countries in the Western Pacific Region

The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking offers to lead and report on a research project to better understand alcohol marketing, including advertising, promotion and sponsorship in 3-5 selected countries in the Western Pacific Region where alcohol consumption has increased rapidly. The information collected through this activity will be used to advise the Region’s alcohol control workplan and support Member States to develop appropriate interventions to decrease alcohol consumption

BACKGROUND

High alcohol consumption rates result in significant burden and disease. The Western Pacific has some of the highest alcohol consumption rates among adults in the world. In 2019, the total alcohol per-capita consumption in the Region was almost 10% higher than the global average, with an average of 6.1 litres of pure alcohol consumed per adult.1 The increase in alcohol consumption per capita in the Region is amplified in low-and middle-income countries. Cambodia, Laos PDR, Viet Nam, and Mongolia are leading growing markets among the low-and-middle-income countries in this region in terms of alcohol consumption.[1] 

Alcohol marketing is defined as “any form of commercial communication or message that is designed to increase, or has the effect of increasing, the recognition, appeal and/or consumption of particular products and services. It could comprise anything that acts to advertise or otherwise promote a product or service”.[2] Evidence suggests that exposure to alcohol marketing is associated with changes in alcohol-related knowledge, attitudes and behaviour, including among youth[3]. While alcohol is widely recognized as one of the most harmful psychoactive substances, there is a notable disparity when it comes to marketing regulations compared to other psychoactive products. Controls on the marketing of alcohol are considerably weaker, despite its high prevalence of consumption in various populations.[4] Existing evidence consistently demonstrates that alcohol marketing often targets youths, which raises concerns about the impact of such marketing practices on this vulnerable population. While traditional forms of marketing are still prevalent across the Western Pacific Region, global examples show that digital marketing is increasing.3. It is important to understand the current landscape of alcohol marketing to inform interventions to address this challenge.

The Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases unit (PND) of the Division for Healthy Environments and Populations (DHP) at WHO WPRO aims to reduce major risk factors of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and decrease injuries and violence across the region. The Alcohol Control programme (under PND) at WHO WPRO seeks better understand the landscape of alcohol marketing in selected countries to support countries in implementing interventions aimed at reducing alcohol-related harms, including NCDs and injuries.

REQUIREMENTS/WORK TO BE PERFORMED

Deliverable 1: A comprehensive research plan detailing the research objectives, research questions, methodologies, activities to be undertaken during the contract, as well as a timeline and detailed budget.

Deliverable 2: A Report of alcohol marketing in selected (agreed upon) countries. This should include:

• An overview of the alcohol marketing, including advertising, promotion and sponsorship in selected countries. The overview should include a presentation of the overall situation in answering the research questions, analysis of marketing strategies, particularly the ones targeting youths, review of policies and regulations related to alcohol marketing in selected countries, and recommendations.
• A country section for each selected countries, which includes: the status of offline alcohol marketing; the status of online alcohol marketing the status of cross-border alcohol marketing; the country’s policies in regulating alcohol marketing and the responsible authorities in implementing/enforcing these policies and regulations; key recommendations in future research and interventions/policies in addressing alcohol marketing
• A case study from each of the countries about policy advocacy success or lesson learnt. This could be from other health programmes, preferably alcohol or other NCD risk factors.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTRACTOR

Mandatory experience:

• The lead candidate must possess at least a master’s degree in Public Health or marketing, or related fields with additional education an asset.
• Previous work with WHO, other international organizations and/or major institutions in the field of  Alcohol control-related issues within the Region.
• Good management and leadership abilities and experience

Desirable experience:

• The lead candidate must have over six years’ experience in data collection/analysis, such as surveys, datasets, structured interviews, ideally with some experience acquired working in low and middle-income countries.
• The lead candidate must have connections to alcohol control networks within the Western Pacific Region and preferably in the study countries.
• The broader research team must demonstrate a strong track record of doing similar studies.
• Previous experience working in the low-and-middle income countries is desired.
• Demonstrated ability to work in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings.
• Previous experience working with the WHO or other UN agencies is highly desired.
• A thorough knowledge of alcohol control topics and WHO positions and recommendations.
• An understanding of the industry’s marketing strategies and techniques, and their impacts on public health.
• Excellent inter-personal skills and string communication skills.
• Excellent spoken and written English.

SUBMISSIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 07 July 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. 203951 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Last day of receiving queries for this tender is on 3 July 2023