TSA - Scoping review on age-friendly and environmentally sustainable cities and communities (3 vacancies)
The purpose of this Request for Proposal (RFP) is to enter into a Technical Services Agreement with successful contractor/s to carry out a scoping review (in China, Republic of Korea or Japan) on age-friendly and environmentally sustainable cities and communities. This RFP is open for three (3) vacancies for contractors to conduct review in China, Republic of Korea or Japan.
BACKGROUND
Population ageing and climate change present significant challenges in the Western Pacific Region, with the regional population aged 65 and older projected to reach 459 million by 2040. Ageing societies face increased non-communicable diseases and diverse health needs and climate change exacerbates these challenges, impacting health and well-being.
Climate change is causing extensive health risks for countries in the Western Pacific Region1. The region is experiencing warmer temperatures, which is increasing the range of malaria, dengue and other vector-borne diseases. Extreme weather events are also triggering more waterborne and foodborne diseases. Each year, 3.5 million people in the Western Pacific die from environmental causes. The year 2020 and 2021 were two of the seven warmest years on record. Record-breaking droughts, heatwaves, typhoons, floods and wildfires challenged the ability of health systems in the Western Pacific to protect and save lives from COVID-19 while simultaneously responding to climate-related emergencies1.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been supporting Member States to address the challenges of population ageing and climate change separately through different initiatives including WHO age-friendly cities and communities (AFCC), Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate change and Health (ATACH), Healthy cities network, etc. However, there has not been a joint initiative to support Member States create an age-friendly and sustainable environment.
Given the fact that older individuals are often vulnerable to climate-related risks and impacts due to health, economic and social reasons, this initiative aims to support countries in addressing the intertwined challenges of population ageing and climate change by identifying context appropriate actions for creating an age-friendly and sustainable environment.
Building on the work from the global and other Regional experts, this initiative will aim to identify and promote applicable actions in the Western Pacific Region. The Decade of Healthy Ageing Connection Series No. 3 - The Decade in a Climate-changing World identified potential actions to be taken as part of the four action areas of the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing2. Additionally, different international organizations and non-profit organizations, including the World Bank, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, HelpAge, national research groups and academic experts have began to identify priorities on this joint agenda.
PLANNED TIMELINES (subject to confirmation)
Start date: 11 March 2024
End date 10 June 2024
Duration: 3 months
PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
Under the direct supervision of AGE unit in WHO-WPRO, the work aims to:
- Map and identify gaps in existing programmes, interventions and practices, and summarize what existing programmes, interventions and practices contribute to making cities and communities more liveable, healthy, age-friendly and environmentally sustainable.
- Write up findings and publish in a peer-reviewed academic journal to share knowledge with the public.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT
With technical support from AGE in WHO WPRO, the selected contractor is expected to:
Output 1: Scoping review of existing programmes, interventions and practices contributing to making cities and communities healthier, more age-friendly and environmentally sustainable.
Deliverable 1.1 – Written review of existing evidence from various sources in Chinese, Japanese or Korean languages (e.g. peer-reviewed scientific scholarship, official reports published by governments, universities, and intergovernmental agencies) on available programmes, interventions and practices.
Deliverable 1.2 – Draft manuscript in English for submission to a peer-reviewed academic journal for publication.
METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY
- Comprehensive literature review, complemented by key stakeholder interviews if needed - review the existing data and evidence from a variety of sources (e.g., peer-reviewed scientific scholarship, official reports published by governments, universities, and intergovernmental agencies)
- Qualitative and quantitative data analysis - summarize the current programmes, interventions, and practices that contribute to making cities and communities healthy, age-friendly, and environmentally sustainable.
- Publish findings, case studies, in a peer-reviewed, academic journal.
- Present findings at WHO internal/external knowledge sharing event.
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
EDUCATION
Essential: Advanced university degree (master's or equivalent) in climate change, environmental science, public health, healthy ageing, urban health, or a related field.
Desirable: Doctorate university degree (PhD. or equivalent) in climate change, environmental science, public health, healthy ageing, urban health, or a related field.
EXPERIENCE
Essential: Research experience on living environment, age-friendly environments, healthy ageing, sustainable environment.
Desirable: Knowledge of and research experience in China, Japan or Republic of Korea, or the Western Pacific Region. Experience working with international organizations is an asset.
TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
- Excellent communication and coordination skills
- Good knowledge and skills in report writing and structural thinking
- Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in climate change, environment and health and policy development is essential
LANGUAGES
Essential: Expert knowledge of Chinese, Japanese or Korean, and English.
COMPETENCIES
- Communicating in a credible and effective way
- Producing results
- Fostering integration and teamwork
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Bi-weekly virtual check-in meetings with WHO/DHP/AGE are required
APPLICATIONS
Qualified and interested specialists should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 26 February 2024:
- Expression of Interest indicating the selected country applied for (China, Japan or Republic of Korea)
- CV (for individual contractors) or Company/Institution Profile
- Technical Proposal with proposed methodology and timelines
- Financial Proposal
Please use Tender Notice No. 225524 and selected country (China, Japan or Republic of Korea) (ex. Tender No 225524 – Japan) as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.
References
- World Health Organization. (2022, April 7). Countries in the Western Pacific on the frontlines of the climate crisis, says WHO. https://www.who.int/westernpacific/news/item/07-04-2022-countries-in-the-western-pacific-on-the-frontlines-of-the-climate-crisis–says-who
- World Health Organization. (2022). Decade of Healthy Ageing Connection Series No. 3 - The Decade in a Climate-changing World. https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/decade-of-healthy-ageing-connection-series-no3