Organize a training workshop and fellowship programme for journalists to support prevention and control of NCDs in the Western Pacific Region

The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking offers from a company or institution for provide technical support to organize a training workshop and fellowship programme for journalists to support the prevention and control of NCDs in the Western Pacific Region.

BACKGROUND

The Western Pacific Region has witnessed a significant rise in the prevalence of NCDs over the past decades. These diseases, which include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancers, and chronic respiratory diseases (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD), are responsible for nearly 9 out of 10 deaths in the Region. The burden of NCDs places immense strain on healthcare systems, economies, families, and individuals, demanding urgent and effective action for prevention and control.

Currently, only a few countries are likely to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal objective. Premature mortality from NCDs across the Region is higher among lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). In part, this is due to slow progress in achieving risk-factor targets. In addition, worsening disease outcomes are a contributory cause. For example, among LMICs, the premature death rate due to diabetes increased and only 10-20% of hypertension patients are controlled in many countries.

The media plays an important role in policymaking and can shape the social context in which policies are developed. The media can also enable individuals to gain a deeper understanding of complex issues and encourage them to adopt healthier behaviours. Therefore, the media can support NCD prevention and control efforts and contribute to the implementation of the Regional Action Framework for NCD Prevention and Control, particularly on policy interventions and patients’ self-management and adherence.

In promoting health-enabling policies and healthy lifestyles, we propose a Journalism Workshop and Fellowship Programme to advance the creation and publication of media stories and content about NCDs, risk factors, evidence-based solutions, and WHO-endorsed recommendations. The workshop will feature journalists from three (3) low-income and three (3) medium-income countries with the aim of expanding to other countries in the Region in future workshops.

REQUIREMENTS/WORK TO BE PERFORMED

Output 1: Journalism training workshop on NCDs

• Deliverable 1.1: A work plan with key tasks and timeline, a draft workshop agenda, and a list of speakers/resources persons and target participants for the workshop in consultation with WPRO
• Deliverable 1.2: Progress report on the organization and logistical arrangements needed for the training workshop, including venue reservation, hotel booking, flight arrangements of participants among others
• Deliverable 1.3: Organization of two-day journalism workshop
• Deliverable 1.4: Final report with the final workshop agenda, list of participants and speakers/resource persons, presentations, media stories resulted from the workshop, evaluation and other relevant materials (the report should also include a session on lessons learned the recommendations for future workshops)
• Deliverable 1.5: Supplemental report on published media stories resulted from the workshop.

Output 2: Media fellowship/story grants program (story support and editorial mentorship)

• Deliverable 2.1: A list of 3-5 fellows selected and their proposed story ideas together with interview or research plans
• Deliverable 2.2: Mentorship update on the fellows’ work
• Deliverable 2.3: Final report on the fellowship programme, including published stories or expected stories (with timeline). The final report should include a session on lessons learned and recommendations for future similar initiatives.

CHARACTERISTICS OF CONTRACTOR

Mandatory experience:

• Experience working in a media outlet and multicultural and multidisciplinary settings
• Experience conducting journalism training programs and facilitating media coverage of the multisectoral issues surrounding health and noncommunicable disease prevention and control
• Experience working with WHO, UN agencies and/or international development organizations is an advantage

Qualifications required (of the team leader):

• University degree in journalism, communication, public health, or any related field from a recognized university.

SUBMISSIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 26 September 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. 213193 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.

Last day of receiving queries for this tender is on 16 September 2023