Agreement for Performance of Work (APW) to develop products on gender mainstreaming

1. BACKGROUND

Attention to gender and equity is not new. Equity is central to the WHO constitution and the call for health for all which remains central to health and development today. Member States in the Western Pacific Region have made progress on health equity, gender mainstreaming and related concerns for many years. For example, the WHO Regional Committee has long considered gender issues, with resolutions on Women, Health and Development (1984 and 1997) and on Full Involvement of Women in all Aspects of the Work of WHO in the Western Pacific Region (1996). Gender and equity have been integrated in many regional strategies, including on ageing and health (2013), tuberculosis (2015) and emerging diseases (2016). Equity and gender are core to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as illustrated in regional frameworks on Universal Health Coverage (UHC) (2015) and on SDGs (2016). Historically, WHO's approach has broadened from focusing on women, health and development to gender mainstreaming to recognizing linkages with equity, social determinants, human rights and other cross-cutting concerns.

WPRO's approach also clearly frames attention to gender and equity as a way to improve the effectiveness of health programmes and services, thus, a qualification to be aspired to by all programmes as part of continuous quality improvement. This is in line with language in the WHO's 13th General Programme of Work (GPW13), which frames attention to gender equality, health equity and human rights not a stand-alone area of work but a corporate function. This also reiterates commitments made under the SDG agenda, that places the principle of leaving no-one behind at the centre of health and development and not only frames attention to gender and equity not merely as ends in themselves but importantly also as necessary tools for achieving all goals and targets.

To this end WPRO is seeking the services of a consultant to develop a series of products that will contribute to further strengthening the organizational efforts to mainstream gender throughout all of WPRO’s policies and programmes.

Duration of Contract: 1 Jun to 31 Dec 2019

2. PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

                The purpose of the consultancy is to develop three key products namely:

1. An Evidence Review of Gender and Health in the Western Pacific Region;
2. A Western Pacific Regional Gender Mainstreaming Guidance Note based on the best available evidence including theoretical and conceptual models and practical and policy guidance; and
3. Materials on gender mainstreaming to be included in a Gender Resource Package.

3. DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output 1:  Develop an Evidence Review of Gender and Health in the Western Pacific Region and;

Deliverable 1.1: Define, develop and implement an evidence-based methodology to collect inputs from current literature-published/grey to provide a foundation and rationale for an Evidence Review on Gender and Health;

Deliverable 1.2:  Develop an Evidence Review outlining the context of the region; health issues; ongoing work on gender and health and gender mainstreaming in different countries of the Region and some examples of best practices in countries beyond the WPRO region; analytical review of published and grey literature/evidence around effectiveness; effective practices; and recommending a way forward

Output 2: Develop Western Pacific Regional Gender Mainstreaming Guidance Note based on the best available evidence including theoretical and conceptual models and practical and policy guidance.

Deliverable 2.1 Conduct a desk review of existing documents and reports and conduct consultations with key stakeholders to assess the achievements and identify the key challenges and gaps relating to gender mainstreaming.

Deliverable 2.2: Develop a Western Pacific Regional Gender Mainstreaming Guidance Note, based on the best available evidence including theoretical and conceptual models and practical and policy guidance within the context of WPRO’s Regional Director’s priorities, WPRO’s Regional Action Agenda on the Sustainable Development Goals in the Western Pacific Health and GPW 13   

Output 3: Develop materials on gender mainstreaming to be included in a Gender Resource Package

Deliverable 3.1: Drawing upon the Evidence Review and the Gender Mainstreaming Guidance Notes, develop a ‘Basket of Good practices’ that can be applied in a practical manner at the country level

4. METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The work will involve research including using qualitative and quantitative analysis.

5. QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience working on gender responsive policy, planning and programming and gender equality-related matters;
• Master’s degree in gender studies, social sciences/public policy or other relevant fields;
• Extensive knowledge and experience on the subject matter and developing of national gender equality policies with or for government agencies, particularly focusing on gender and diversity;
• Understanding of the gender equality environment in the Western Pacific will be an asset;
• Excellent command of the English language (both written and spoken) and effective communication skills.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

The consultant or consultancy team will demonstrate expertise in gender-responsive policy, planning and programming and gender equality-related matters Strong skills in literature review and analysis, written English and production of high-quality reports relevant to meeting client needs are essential.

LANGUAGES

Expert reading and writing in English is required.

COMPETENCIES

• Communication
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Producing Results

APPLICATIONS

Applications will be evaluated against a combination of technical and financial criteria.

• The technical proposal should include the CVs of the lead consultant and team members (if any). A cover letter should be included with a brief description of why the Offer considers her/himself the most suitable for the assignment and approach in delivering the required outputs within the assignment period.

• The financial proposal shall specify a total lump sum amount, including daily fee. Proposals are invited up to a financial ceiling of USD 50,000.

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 2 May 2019. 

Please use Tender Notice No. WPRO/2019-04/DHS_ESD/TN88967/bab as subject to all submission.  Only successful candidates will be contacted.