Individual Consultancy: Qualitative Research on the Regional Framework for Reaching the Unreached (2022-2030)

1. BACKGROUND

RTU is a global and regional health policy priority aligned with health-related SDGs by 2030. It is built on the principle of universality and aims to ensure that no one is left behind.

The Region has seen remarkable progress on important global and regional targets for HIV, TB, malaria, neglected tropical disease, polio, hepatitis B and measles. However, ending and eliminating many of these endemic diseases continues to be challenging. This is mainly because health systems continue to miss significant numbers of people with these disease conditions in all countries – and not only in countries with weak health systems. In addition, inequalities in the social determinants of health, viz., income, education level, gender, ethnicity, and geographic location, cause inequitable access and health outcomes among different population groups across the Region. In recognising that progress has not equally benefited all population groups in the Region, countries are now striving to achieve the ambitious global universal health care (UHC) targets and complete the business of preventing and eliminating morbidity, mortality and disability caused by these diseases by 2030.

Countries must adopt an integrated systems approach to reach the unreached and ensure universal health care. They need to use this approach to strengthen the three core elements of primary health care, viz., health systems and services, community and people empowerment and multi-sectoral actions to address socio-economic determinants and barriers. These three core elements are the same as the three priority action areas for reaching the unreached. To do all this, it is essential to identify the unreached populations and the reasons for not reaching them. In addition, we must identify and use local, cost-effective ‘grounds up’ solutions for that purpose.

2. PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

This consultancy aims to conduct qualitative research on the Regional Framework for Reaching the Unreached (2022-2030) to understand the challenges, opportunities and success stories of reaching the unreached (RTU) for ending and eliminating diseases in the Western Pacific Region.

3.   DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Under the supervision and guidance of the Coordinator of the Integrated Communicable Disease Programme (ICD) Unit and the Director of the Division of Disease Control (DDC) Programmes, the consultant will perform the following activities:

Activity 1: Plan the consultancy

Deliverable 1.1: An Inception Report with an initial review of literature, proposed methodology, and a Gantt chart on the work planned to be done during the consultancy

Activity 2: Conduct qualitative research using five country missions and through stakeholder meetings

Deliverable 2.1: One case study report for each of the five countries after each country visit, focusing on each of the core elements of primary healthcare (mentioned above)

Deliverable 2.2: Reports for the stakeholder meetings

Activity 3: Publish a research paper

Deliverable 3.1: One qualitative research paper using the findings from the five countries and stakeholder meetings, focusing on each of the core elements of primary healthcare (mentioned above)

Activity 4: Submit a final report

Deliverable 4.1: A final report on the work done during the consultancy

 4.    METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITIES

• Organize regular meetings with different stakeholders
• Conduct qualitative research using focus group discussions and in-depth interviews
• Produce high-quality short reports and a research paper
• Perform other related work as required

5.      PLANNED TIMELINES (subject to confirmation)

      16 February to 15 December 2024 (10 months)

6.       QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Qualifications required:

• University degree from a recognized university, which may include medical, anthropology, social science, public health, or epidemiology degrees

Technical skills and knowledge:

• Excellent and demonstrated qualitative research skills, including publications
• Good communication skills
• Excellent skills in writing
• Excellent planning and organizational skills

Experience required:

• Minimum five years of work experience in public health
• Working knowledge of one or more countries in the Western Pacific Region would be an advantage but is not mandatory

Language requirements: Excellent knowledge of English is essential (Reading-Writing-Speaking)

Competencies:

• Technical Expertise in Public Health
• Communication
• Moving Forward in a Changing Environment
• Producing Results

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their Company Profile and Expression of Interest {cover letter} together to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at wproungm@who.int by 15 January 2024 (1700H GMT8).

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please submit your proposals to wproungm@who.int and indicate Tender Notice No. 223170 in the subject line for our common reference. 

End close date has been extended to 24 January 2024 (1700H GMT8).