Psychometric Testing of Applicants for Staff Positions

Project Background

The World Health Organization’s (WHO),Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) in Manila, the Philippines is one of the six regional offices of WHO and represents WHO in the Asia Pacific. We work hand-in-hand with governments, health authorities, partners and other stakeholders to provide support, collaboration, and guidance needed to bring better health to the more than 1.8 billion people living in 37 countries and areas of the Western Pacific Region.

WPRO has more than 600 staff members working at the regional office in Manila and in 15 country offices. Our workforce consists of medical doctors, public health specialists, scientists, and epidemiologists. We also have experts in the fields of health statistics, economics, emergency relief as well as those in the administrative, financial and information systems.

As part of the efforts to further improve the recruitment and selection process of the Western Pacific Regional Office, it was decided to introduce psychometric testing as part of the assessment of applicants for positions in the Professional category. Currently, our selection process includes written test and/or presentation, reference checks and panel interview.

We recruit candidates from across the globe.

Project Objectives

The objective is to further improve and strengthen our current recruitment and selection assessment process and tools with the view of finding the right persons for the right job at the right time.

Psychometric issues to be explored and analysed

The psychometric test offered should have been proven to be both valid and reliable. It should have been widely and effectively used for recruitment purposes in different parts of the world, preferably by international organizations, including organizations of the United Nations or multinational corporations. It should be able to provide us insights on the behavioural tendencies, team and leadership style of the candidate, and other important characteristics that will help the candidate succeed in the job. Overall, it should assist us assess the fitness of the candidate for the job applied for.

Implementation methodology to be applied

• The psychometric test should be an on-line test that can be taken by the candidate anywhere in the world.
• The test should be simple to administer and to take, not time-consuming to take and will yield results within a short period of time.
• We expect that the test will be in English language, but it will be an advantage if it is in other languages, so as not to disadvantage candidates whose mother tongue is not English.
• Upon our request, the candidates will be contacted by the service provider to invite them for the test, provide the test schedule and instruction on how to take the test

Expertise required

• Qualified, duly accredited and professional service provider (institutions/ companies) that has extensive experience in psychometric testing, specifically for purposes of recruitment for professional, technical, managerial and/or leadership positions. The service provider should have staff who are professionally accredited or licensed to conduct psychometric tests and provide assessments based on the test results.

• The psychometric test to be offered should be accredited by the appropriate professional bodies.

Operational and Reporting requirements

• We estimate that our volume of applicants for psychometric testing would be about 30-50 per year. Only candidates who are under serious consideration will be requested to undergo the psychometric testing, hence, the small volume.
• A narrative assessment report should be provided to us (not directly to the candidate) within five (5) working days after the test has been completed. Additionally, graphs or other visual representation of the results may be provided.

Contractual/Financial aspects

• A long term agreement (LTA) will be drawn up with the service provider for a period of three years, which may be terminated by either party with appropriate notice period.
• The price quote should be per candidate tested or small group of candidates.
• The service provided will bill WHO after completion of the service for each candidate (after delivery of the written assessment to WHO).

Interested should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer wprosao@who.int by 9 June 2017. Please use Tender Notice No, 57532 as subject to all submission

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