Consultant - Support the knowledge sharing on Healthy Ageing in the Western Pacific, WPRO/DHP

..

1. PURPOSE OF THE SHORT-TERM CONSULTANT (STC)

The incumbent will support the implementation of the Regional Action Plan on Healthy Ageing in the Western Pacific, by focusing on knowledge sharing among Member States for better policy making and programme designing, recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The incumbent will support the implementation of the Regional Action Plan on Healthy Ageing in the Western Pacific, by focusing on knowledge sharing among Member States for better policy making and programme designing, recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. BACKGROUND

Over 240 million older adults (aged 65 and above) currently reside in the Western Pacific Region (WPR). By 2050, this number is projected to double due to the region's accelerated population aging. To tackle this issue, the WHO-WPR Member States adopted the Regional Action Plan (RAP) on Healthy Ageing in 2020. The plan adopts a comprehensive, lifelong approach that prioritizes equity and utilizes existing resources. Its goal is to have "healthier older adults in the Western Pacific Region thriving and contributing in society". The RAP encompasses five objectives: promoting social engagement, supporting healthy aging, conducting research, monitoring, and evaluation. It emphasizes early preparedness for countries with a low percentage of older adults and a multi-sectoral approach for those with a high percentage. The plan provides actionable recommendations for each objective.

Previous outbreaks like H1N1 influenza, SARS, and MERS have shown that older individuals are particularly susceptible to new infectious diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has further underscored this vulnerability, with older adults experiencing worse outcomes and higher fatality rates compared to younger age groups. In Australia, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, the case fatality rate for individuals over 80 years old exceeds 4.4%, while it is less than 0.2% for those under 80 [1,2,3]. The COVID-19 pandemic has also brought to light the importance of knowledge sharing among Member States.

As we prepare for the post-COVID-19 pandemic "new normal", it is crucial that different sectors work together to improve the health and livelihoods of older people. For prioritizing the health and wellbeing of older adults, we need knowledge sharing among young, ageing, aged and super-aged societies. We can build more resilient and sustainable communities through introducing context specific policies and programmes.

The Healthy Ageing unit (AGE) at WHO-WPR Office is hiring a consultant to support designing knowledge sharing platforms and preparatory work pre-knowledge sharing events. The selected consultant will work closely with WHO regional office, country office focal points and external partners.

3. PLANNED TIMELINES (subject to confirmation) Start date: 7 August 2023 End date: 3 June 2024 Note: 2 days per week for 42 weeks

4. WORK(S) TO BE PERFORMED

The consultant is assigned to:

Output 1: Support the AGE with designing knowledge sharing platforms for healthy ageing/age-friendly environment/ageism/life-course approach, etc.

• Deliverable 1.1 – Assist in drafting background information (as part of pre-meeting/conference/workshop/forum preparation) including literature review, study proposals/concept notes;
• Deliverable 1.2 – Create presentations/reports for different knowledge sharing events organized by AGE - infographics, presentation slides, summaries, etc.;
• Deliverable 1.3 – Assist regional office and country offices’ focal points in organizing knowledge sharing events/platforms – including identifying experts, drafting agenda, preparation of visual aid (e.g. infographics, videos, slides), drafting meeting reports etc.;
• Deliverable 1.4 - Produce written communication materials to share research findings, latest evidence and WHO guidance with Healthy Ageing WHO country office focal points, external partners, and general public, and for publication in peer-review journals;

Output 2: Support the Healthy Ageing unit with providing technical guidance to Member States

• Deliverable 2.1 – Write technical guidance, under AGE’s supervision, to support Member States in introducing new policies/strategies for building a more resilient, age-friendly community
• Deliverable 2.2 – Visit Member States, based on the requests, to write situational analysis, present (knowledge sharing) on healthy ageing topics, i.e. relevant case studies from other Member States, and drafted context appropriate recommendations.

5. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION Essential: First university degree in public health, medicine, nursing or social sciences Desirable: Advanced university degree (Master’s / PhD) in public health, medicine, nursing or social sciences

EXPERIENCE Essential: At least 3 years of work experience in public health and/or academic research in healthy ageing Desirable: International experience within WHO or other UN Organizations at multiple geographical locations; demonstrated experience in evidence generation and knowledge sharing for public health (e.g. academic articles, presentation at international conferences, field projects); experience in producing technical reports, frameworks, action plans at WHO or other UN organizations; led and conducted quantitative and/or qualitative research studies and published at least three academic article in peer-reviewed journals as a first author; experience in editing academic publication.

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE • Outstanding ability to understand and support population ageing case studies or research • Data analysis skill - quantitative (essential) and qualitative (desirable) • Demonstrated project management skills • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Good knowledge of the dynamics of the international public health work • Ability to plan, design and implement a systematic approach to problem solving • Ability to provide technical support to countries • Ability to work harmoniously as a member of the team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct

LANGUAGE Essential: English Desirable: Chinese, French

COMPETENCIES • Communicating in a credible and effective way • Producing results • Fostering integration and teamwork

6. PLACE OF ASSIGNMENT • The Consultant will be offered an on-site for insurance purpose only contract and will be working remotely. • The Consultant is expected to participate in teleconference meetings and provide frequent updates on work progress to the team.

7. MEDICAL CERTIFICATE The selected Consultant is expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

8. TRAVEL The Consultant is expected to undertake occasional travels (mission) as part of this assignment.

The travel arrangements (to/from Manila) will be made by WHO. WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO.

Visa requirements: It is the Consultant’s responsibility to fulfill visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

Additional Information

• 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• 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.
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.