Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is supporting countries in the Western Pacific Region in reducing health inequities through action on the SDH.

Background

Health inequities in the Western Pacific Region are shaped by the social determinants of health (SDH), such as education, gender, income, employment, housing, and access to clean water and sanitation. These inequities disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including low-income families, individuals with disabilities, and those facing overlapping forms of discrimination based on age, gender, ethnicity, geography, or other social identities.

Although there are successes, many countries in the Western Pacific Region struggle to address the SDH and effectively and sustainably reduce health inequities. Limited data on health inequities, insufficient integration of gender-responsive actions, and a lack of multisectoral collaboration often hinders progress. Thus, vulnerable populations continue to face barriers to accessing equitable health and social care, perpetuating intergenerational inequities.

In order to respond to these challenges, WHO supporting countries to map, measure, and monitor health inequities to inform evidence-based policies and strengthen health systems through the integration of gender, equity, human rights. Additionally, it promotes intersectoral collaboration and community engagement to implement effective health promotion initiatives, such as Healthy Cities, Healthy Islands, and Health Promoting Schools. Ultimately, these efforts will address the root causes of health inequities and achieve UHC.

Deliverables

Under the supervision of the HES Coordinator and the Technical Officer responsible for Health Promotion, the consultant will perform the following activities:

Output 1: Support countries to reduce health inequities by addressing social determinants of health across the life course and building evidence for the economy of well-being.

Deliverable 1.1: Package of preparation materials for the Sub-Regional Health Equity Monitoring Workshop for the Pacific Island Region

Method(s) to carry out the activities:

• Participate in regular planning meetings with the HES team and assist in in tracking progress toward the workshop.
• Provide support in preparing technical and logistical materials required for the workshop.
• Collaborate with DHP communications team to establish a strategy for disseminating the workshop findings effectively.
• Attend and support the sub-regional workshop, providing assistance to the team as needed.

Deliverable 1.2: A package of technical and communications materials supporting HES’s “Economy of Wellbeing” agenda.

Method(s) to carry out the activities:

• Conduct virtual scoping reviews to compile robust evidence and insights supporting HES’s “Economy of Wellbeing” agenda.
• Synthesize fundings into a comprehensive package of technical and communications materials.
• Collaborate with DHP communications team to establish a strategy for to inform stakeholders and drive the advocacy for the agenda.

Deliverable 1.3: A package of “SDH Best Buys” tailored for low-and middle-income countries.

Method(s) to carry out the activities:

• Contribute to the revision and editing of “SDH Best Buys” package that HES will produce during 2024.
• Design and facilitate virtual sessions for WHO technicians and Member States, ensuring the effective communication of the “SDH Best Buys”.

Deliverable 1.4: A package of capacity-building resources for community-engagement approaches to reduce health inequities.

Method(s) to carry out the activities:

• Develop a comprehensive package of capacity-building resources designed to empower Member States in implementing community-engagement strategies to address health inequities.
• Organize and deliver a series of virtual training sessions for WHO technicians and Member States, equipping them with practical skills and knowledge to effectively apply community engagement approaches to reduce health inequities.

Output 2: Advance Gender Equality, Health Equity, and Human Rights Through Multisectoral Action

Deliverable 2.1: A comprehensive resource package for GER mainstreaming in WHO regional and country office initiatives.

Method(s) to carry out the activities:

• Conduct a scoping review of available WPRO evidence, tools and instruments to mainstream GER.
• Develop a user-friendly package of resources designed to guide and support WHO regional and country office teams in integrating GER principles into their work.
• Collaborate with DHP communications team to plan and implement a series of 2024 GER advocacy events targeting WHO regional and country office teams.
• Facilitate virtual capacity-building sessions for WHO staff to incorporate GER into ongoing country support strategies, biennial workplans and the WHO scorecard.

Deliverable 2.2: A package of resources to build capacity among national and local stakeholders to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

Method(s) to carry out the activities:

• Assist in the revision and editing of a “school curricula for preventing and responding to GBV”, that HES will produce during 2024.
• Plan and implement virtual or in-person events aimed at empowering the health workforce (including community health workers), school staff, and other local stakeholders with the skills and knowledge to effectively address GBV.
• Upon request, support WHO country offices in developing and implementing proposals and action plans under the Spotlight Initiative.

Output 3: Support any other HES- related work, as needed.

Deliverable 3.1: Based on HES teams needs and request, support in the development of any other HES-related product.

Method(s) to carry out the activities:

• Participate in weekly, as well as ad-hoc HES team meetings to identify needs and requests, and support when relevant.

Note:

Upon finalization of the contract intellectual property of content and products shall revert to WHO.
Any data or results may not be shared or distributed without approval of the responsible officer in WHO.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: First university degree in a public health, social sciences, or a related field.
Desirable: A master’s degree in in a public health, social sciences, or a related field.

Experience:

Essential: Minimum five years of combined national and international experience working in community engagement, sexual violence and GBV, health promotion, health research, social determinants of health, and global health.
Desirable: Relevant experience working with the UN or international organization, preferably with the World Health Organization

Desirable Skills/Knowledge:

Facilitation, research methods, and report writing.

Languages and level required:

Essential: Written and spoken fluency in English.

Location

Off site: Home-based

Travel

The contractual partner will be required to travel to sites for relevant activities (consultations, information gathering, programme reviews, training etc,) where necessary.

Remuneration and budget:

Remuneration: Band level B, USD 7,500.00 (monthly)
Expected duration of contract: 6 months, February to August 2025

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.
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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements