Consultant - Research on sustainable financing (population ageing)

Purpose of consultancy

To support maximizing the impact of WKC research on sustainable financing in the context of population ageing.

Background

The WHO Centre for Health Development (WHO Kobe Centre -WKC) was established in 1995 with the endorsement of the WHO Executive Board and the generous financial and material support from the Kobe Group. A recent review of the WKC established the vision of WKC as a global centre of excellence for UHC and innovation, and the mission to promote innovation and research for equitable and sustainable UHC, building on its comparative advantage in the areas of UHC, health financing, ageing and health emergency and disaster risk management, and drawing on lessons from Japan and the Asia Pacific Region and more widely to inform global policy development.

As populations age, policymakers are increasingly concerned about health care expenditures and how health services can be paid for. At the same time, population ageing and depopulation can impact health care financing systems that rely on payroll contributions, thus leading to concerns about generating sufficient and stable revenues to pay for health and social services. More research is needed to investigate the policy choices that affect changes in health expenditure growth and revenues. Health resource constraints place pressure on policymakers to maximize all available health resources and reduce waste and inefficiencies. A key determinant of total spending is policy decisions about how patients are managed, and funds are allocated throughout the health care system.

To maximize the impact of WKC’s research on sustainable financing, and ensure that products are high quality, WKC seeks an individual or institute to support increasing the quality and quantity of relevant technical products and support their dissemination.

See for more information: https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en

Deliverables

Under the supervision of the Director, WKC, the consultant will undertake the following activities in compliance with WHO corporate rules and regulations:

Output 1: Support the research on Economic and health financing implications of population ageing and sustainable financing

In collaboration with technical colleagues, he/she will:

Activity 1.1: Contribute to the technical review of documents including a regional report.

Activity 1.2: Assist in the preparation of two manuscripts for peer reviewed journals.

Activity 1.3: Support the finalization of a global simulator and its broad application.

Activity 1.4: Develop communications products for wide dissemination of all technical products through social media, webinars, trainings and other creative dissemination methods.

Output 2: Support the research on making the case for investments in long-term care (LTC) systems

In collaboration with technical colleagues, he/she will:

Activity 2.1: Contribute to the design and technical review of chapters for a book, making the case for investing in LTC.

Activity 2.2: Assist to identify relevant text boxes about country level experiences.

Activity 2.3: Develop communications products for broad dissemination of all technical products through social media, webinars, trainings and other creative dissemination methods.

Activity 2.4: Assist in the design of a technical product focused on financing LTC, including identification of content, and production of the report.

Output 3. Collaborate to research undertaken in support of the Economics of Health for All working group and financial protection for older persons.

In cooperation with technical colleagues, he/she will:

Activity. 3.1. Contribute to the design and technical review of documents.

Activity 3.2. Develop communications products for broad dissemination of all technical products through social media, webinars, trainings and other creative dissemination methods.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational qualifications:

Essential:

University degree in health economics, development economics, public policy or related areas.

Desirable:

Master’s Degree in a relevant field.

Experience:

At least 5 years of relevant working experience in an academic/research institution

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Demonstrated ability to conduct research, analyze and synthesize quantitative data; familiarity with qualitative data analysis preferred.
• Knowledge of health systems and economics of population ageing.
• Demonstrated skills in concise technical writing, and a strong publication record.

Desirable:

Familiarity with WHO/UN

Languages required:

Essential:

Excellent knowledge of English.

Desirable:

Knowledge of another WHO official language.

Other:

It would be preferable if the consultant has access to major global scientific literature databases (e.g. CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) (Web of Science), Global Index Medicus) and Japanese literature databases (e.g. ICHUSHI WEb, CiNii Articles).

Location:

Off-site

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.)

No travel is expected as part of this assignment.

Ad hoc travel may be required for task-related meetings, but not for the foreseeable future while all WKC staff work remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Travel Authorization to cover cost of ticket and per-diem will be arranged by WKC as necessary.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Specialist level: USD 350-499/day

This consultancy is for 72 days over the period of 12 months

Planned Start date: 01/06/2021 End date: 31/05/2022

Additional Information section:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: <https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html>