Futures and Foresight Methodological Guidance

The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to enter into a contractual agreement with a successful bidder and select a suitable contractor to carry out the following work: provide expert futures and foresight methodological guidance in support of the design of foresight-based engagements at various levels of the organization.

BACKGROUND

The Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI) unit was set up in 2019 in WHO’s Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) in response to the Regional Director’s white paper “For the Future” and focuses on innovation, data, and strategic engagement with countries on health systems transformation. Over the past three years DSI, through the Strategic Dialogue unit (DIA), has been working with Member States and countries to apply futures approaches to longer-term health systems planning. DIA was established to help Member States in the Western Pacific region develop and drive national longer-term transformation agendas for health systems and population health and wellbeing. This is achieved by facilitating Health Futures Strategic Dialogues, or HFSDs. HFSDs are foresight-based processes that enable Member States to develop and drive a national longer-term transformation agenda for health systems and population health and wellbeing.

DIA also leads efforts to build a culture of foresight within WHO by providing focused strategic foresight support. Recently, various units have approached DIA with requests for foresight-based engagements in different formats. These engagements encompass activities such as conducting environmental scans, horizon scanning, foresight exercises to identify future challenges and opportunities, and employing visioning and future-to-now planning approaches. These include but are not limited to:

• Exploring future scenarios and possibilities for Non-Communicable Disease service delivery and management.
• Revitalizing primary health care and expanding its reach to unreached populations, promoting more inclusive and responsive health services.
• Uncovering future developments related to achieving a tobacco endgame and preparing for potential actions by the tobacco industry.
• Assisting with a forward-looking biennium planning process in countries within the region.
• Supporting the development and implementation of forward-looking Risk Communications and Health Promotion Strategies and Plans.
• Devising a strategic plan to proactively address the reduction of salt in the food supply in a country in the region, considering potential future challenges and opportunities.
• Ensuring health systems in Pacific Island countries are resilient and well-suited for future needs.

To cater to the specific requirements, the DIA unit is seeking external technical support to achieve the following:

1. Refine the scope and identify specific objectives for each engagement in close collaboration with DIA and the requesting units.
2. Design customized foresight-based approaches for each engagement. This includes providing recommendations on suitable methods, tools, and requirements based on the initial scoping, and finalize the design of the approach through consultation and iteration with DIA and relevant units.
3. Support DIA facilitators in conducting foresight engagements and offering co-facilitation as needed. This involves providing technical facilitation guidance and assistance during their preparation to ensure successful delivery and being available to co-facilitate when necessary.

The number of expected engagements is anticipated to be between four (4) to seven (7), but it is subject to change depending on funding and demand.

REQUIREMENTS/WORK TO BE PERFORMED

Objective 1: Assist in scoping the opportunities of foresight-based engagements.

Activity 1.1: Refine the scope of foresight-based engagements by:

• Taking part in briefing sessions with the DIA team and the requesting units to refine the scope, identify the desired outcome(s) and narrow down the specific objectives.

Potential Deliverable:

• A final document summarizing the refined scope, the desired outcome(s) of each engagement, and the specific objectives for each engagement.

Objective 2: Develop methodological approaches for foresight-based engagements.

Activity 2.1: Design foresight-based approaches for each engagement. This includes:

• Researching and designing foresight-based approaches for each engagement to achieve the desired outcome(s). The approaches should incorporate futures tools and methods that have been tried and tested by experts and should be tailored to specific contexts such as country and participants' profiles. This includes working together with the DIA team and the requesting units to determine the most suitable approach for each engagement, considering factors like stakeholders involved, duration, and desired outcomes.
• Presenting the proposals and host Q&A sessions (or any other feedback technique agreed upon with WHO) with the DIA team and focal points from the requesting units. Gathering feedback and, if necessary, adjusting the approach based on the input received.
• Finalizing the approach and presenting a final version for each engagement.

Potential Deliverables:

Final plan for implementing the foresight-based approach for each engagement, considering all relevant factors (i.e., country contexts and participants' profiles), which includes:

• Background information on the engagement's context and objectives.
• Methodologies and frameworks chosen for the foresight-based approach with examples of how these tools have been applied successfully in similar scenarios.
• Outline of the activities and steps involved in the engagement.
• Materials used during the Q&A sessions with the DIA team, focal points, and other stakeholders, along with a summary of feedback received and any adjustments made to the approaches.
• Integration of feedback and adjustments to the initial proposals.

Final agenda and run sheet for each engagement, which includes:

• A detailed schedule of activities and time allocations for each session or segment.
• Roles and responsibilities of facilitators, participants, and any other involved parties.
• Key discussion points and objectives for each agenda item.

Final materials for each engagement, which include:

• Slides or visual aids to be used during the foresight engagements.
• Handouts or supplementary materials to support participants in understanding the engagement's objectives and activities.

Objective 3: Support WHO personnel in delivering foresight-based engagements.

Activity 3.1: Assist WHO personnel in facilitating foresight-based engagements by:

• Conducting coaching sessions to provide technical guidance on how to effectively facilitate each engagement.
• Assisting in the design of facilitation tools and materials for the engagements. This includes creating facilitator guides, slide decks, preparatory materials, etc.
• Co-facilitating the engagements when required.

Potential Deliverables:

• Facilitation support for the delivery of each engagement, which may include:
  • Designed facilitation tools and materials, facilitator guides, and preparatory materials, ready for use during the engagements.
  • A series of coaching session records providing technical guidance on effective facilitation for each engagement, including practical tips and best practices.
• Co-facilitation of each foresight engagement.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTRACTOR

Mandatory:

• Proven experience in the field of futures and foresight.
• Previous work with WHO, other international organizations and/or major institutions in the field of  worshop development and delivery.
• At least 10 years of experience in relevant futures and foresight studies and activities.
• Strong experience facilitating workshops—both in person, online, and in a hybrid format.
• Strong experience using foresight-based techniques.
• Strong experience working in or with international organizations, governments, business, and civil society in the Asia-Pacific region.

Desirable:

• Subject matter expertise in health, technology.

SUBMISSIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 18 September 2023

• Company Profile {for institutional applications}
• • Technical proposal indicating methodology and timelines, in addition to the below annexes
  • Annex 1: Acknowledgement Form
  • Annex 2: Confidentiality Undertaking
  • Annex 3: Proposal Completeness Form
  • Annex 6: Self-Declaration Form
• • Financial proposal

Please use Tender Notice No. 211724 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Last day of receiving queries for this tender is on 11 September 2023