Consultant on NCD Prevention and Control

Background and justification

The noncommunicable disease (NCD) epidemic is a serious threat to life, health and development in the Western Pacific Region. The major NCDs – cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers and chronic respiratory diseases – account for more than 80% of all deaths in the Region. NCDs account for 50% of all premature mortality (under 70 years of age) in low- and middle-income countries in the region.

This project is based on and aligned with the commitment made by Heads of State and Governments in the Political Declaration of the 2011 UN General Assembly High-level Meeting and in the Outcome document with the 4 time-bound commitments of the 2014 high-level meeting of theUN General Assembly, as well as with the NCD Global action Plan on NCDs for 2013-2020 with the nine global voluntary targets and indicators, the Addis Ababa Accordand the NCD-related targets of the SDGs. It is also focused on accelerating implementation of NCD national plans linked to the 10 progress indicators that will be reported at the UN General Assembly in 2018.

WHO, together with partners, is spearheading an initiative to respond to the NCD epidemic, and has developed institutional building blocks to engage with leaders to influence policies, strengthen health systems, modify unhealthy behaviours, encourage research, track trends and monitor progress toward preventing and controlling NCDs.

The One-WHO Integrated support to countries Initiative, hosted by the Secretariat of the Global Coordination Mechanism on NCDs (GCM/NCD), ensures an appropriate, coordinated and comprehensive response from relevant WHO technical units and offices, the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force and other stakeholders to provide support to Member States who are committed to making fast-track progress towards achieving the nine voluntary global targets for noncommunicable diseases by 2025, and the noncommunicable disease-related targets of the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Purpose/Specific Objective of the Activity

The project generally aims to coordinate and focus the comprehensive provision of WHO technical assistance and multisectoral action for the four selected countries in the Western Pacific Region as they prepare, finalize, implement and monitor the four time-bound commitments made by heads of states and governments in 2014. Each country will focus on a limited number of NCD priority actions, chosen based on countries demands, where measurable improvement can be achieved by the end of 2017.

Specific objectives will be to:

1) support Member State priority actions for NCD prevention and control where WHO can provide full-service support leveraging on the strengths from the three levels of the organization, based on country needs and demands;

2) demonstrate measurable outcomes in support of the four time-bound commitments; 

3) strengthen country capacity to implement and achieve self-sufficiency in strategic NCD prevention and control measures; and

4) support preparation of reports for the UNGA 2018.

The project activities will facilitate:

1) the setup or the update of national NCD-related targets, taking into consideration the WHO Global Monitoring Framework;

2) the alignment of public policies with the WHO programme for NCDs;

3) collaboration between governments and other partners in accordance with the WHO Global Coordination Mechanism;

4) the mobilization of sectors beyond health through UN country teams and the UN Interagency Task Force for NCDs;

5) the implementation of the WHO Global Action Plan for NCDs, by providing them with the latest knowledge and innovations; and

6) implementation of cost effective interventions in prevention and management and an agreement on some prioritized interventions.

Description of activities to be carried out

WHO will provide comprehensive technical assistance using a one-WHO approach. The Office of the Assistant Director General on NCDs (GCM Integrated support) in collaboration with the Director, Division of NCDs and Health through the Life Course in WPRO will provide overall guidance to programme implementation and serve as a back-up for technical expertise.

The Regional Office will have a consultant within the NCD unit to help deliver the expected results/outputs in countries through strategic management and implementation support including in-country missions where necessary. Under the direct supervision of the NCD coordinator and the Director, Division of NCD and Health through the Life Course in WPRO, this dedicated member of staff will also be the focal point of correspondence and coordination with WHO headquarters integrated support.

Implementation, management and monitoring arrangements

At the national level of each country, an NCD Steering Committee or equivalent led by the Ministry/Department of Health will take the lead. Subnational governments will be at the frontlines of implementation – facing operational challenges head on within the context of their chosen demonstration sites.

The first line of contact with governments will be the Country Offices. WHO colleagues in the field will provide important feedback and guidance from the ground up as to the attainment of goals/commitments – and what operational adjustments may be necessary throughout the course of implementation. Their primary concern will be the delivery of expected results/outputs of the first two major activities: impact on progress indicators and implementation of multisectoral action plans. 

Regular teleconferences will be held to review the progress of project implementation and there will be quarterly standardized reporting to ADG/NMH prepared by WPRO with support from the GCM integrated support team.

Education

​University Degree in medicine or in any health-related field from a recognized university is essential.  Postgraduate Degree in Public Health from a recognized university is desirable.

Experience

Minimum of five years of work experience in public health, NCD prevention and control, health systems or a related field is essential.  Work experience in an international organization is highly desirable.

Skills

• Broad knowledge of concepts and strategies related to NCD prevention and control.
• Ability to synthesize knowledge and effectively express ideas in writing.
• Ability to coordinate with external partners as well as work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

Languages

​Written and spoken fluency in English is essential.  Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Competencies

1. Communicating in a credible and effective way
2. Producing results
3. Knowing and managing yourself
4. Moving forward in a changing environment
5. Fostering integration and teamwork

Interested should submit following documents to the Supply Officer (WPRO) at wprosao@who.int by 5 December 2016. Please use Tender Notice 52100 as subject to all submissions. Contract start date 1 January 2017 with duration of 10 months.

• Expression of interest (cover letter) that includes proposed consultancy fee (in US Dollars per day) and availability
• WHO personal history form or CV

Please note that the application may be closed before the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received. Only the successful candidates will be contacted