Consultant - Implementation of the WHO Knowledge Hub for Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management (Health EDRM).

Purpose of consultancy

The consultant will contribute to establishing and updating the WHO Health EDRM Knowledge Hub by drafting webpages, producing dissemination materials (video presentation, slideshow, etc.) in consultation with the WKC research partners in Health EDRM and participants of the Health EDRM Research Network, and organizing regular WKC webinars about Health EDRM.

Background

The WHO Centre for Health Development (WHO Kobe Centre—WKC) was established in 1995 with the endorsement by the WHO Executive Board and the generous financial and material support of the Kobe Group (a local public and private consortium of Hyogo Prefecture, Kobe City, Kobe Steel, and Kobe Chamber of Commerce). While physically located in Kobe, Japan, WKC is a department of WHO global Headquarters (HQ). As such, WKC follows the goals and objectives of the WHO’s 13th General Program of Work with a global geographic scope of work. Its current research strategy for 2016 - 2026 is to conduct research and synthesize evidence about health systems and innovations to accelerate progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and advance knowledge about responding to health emergencies and disasters to create resilient health systems. The WKC research strategy was endorsed, and the core funding was agreed upon in a Memorandum of Understanding signed by the WHO Director General and the Kobe Group. Under the current research plan, WKC focuses on research themes of UHC service delivery, financing and innovations, and metrics in the context of population ageing; and health emergencies and disaster risk management (Health EDRM).

Since 2016, the WKC has contributed to the global movement to enhance scientific evidence to improve Health EDRM, as represented by organizing the WHO Thematic Platform for Health EDRM Research Network (Health EDRM RN) since 2018 [1] and the development of the WHO Guidance on Research Methods for Health EDRM in 2021 [2]. Addressing the identified research needs in the 2018 Kobe Expert Meeting, WKC has been conducting research projects on the four key research themes since 2019 [3,4]. The four key research themes are:

1. Health data management before, during and after emergencies and disasters
2. Mental health and psychosocial support before, during and after emergencies and disasters
3. Community disaster risk management including disaster risk literacy and addressing the needs of subpopulations
4. Health workforce development for emergencies and disasters

For each of the four research themes, information about what is known/unknown in each research theme has been identified in 2021 [5,6,7,8]. WKC developed the initial contents for the WHO Health EDRM Knowledge Hub in collaboration with the partner research institutes for each of the four research themes [9].

Based on this background, in 2022, WKC will establish the WHO Health EDRM Knowledge Hub starting with the research WKC has commissioned in 2021. WKC seeks a consultant with knowledge and experience in technical writing who can write technical briefs and contribute to organizing dissemination activities about Health EDRM research.

References:
1) WHO Thematic Platform for Health EDRM Research Network.
https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/project-details/TPRN
2) WHO Guidance on Research Methods for Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/345591
3) Kayano R, Chan EY, Murray V, Abrahams J, Barber SL. WHO Thematic Platform for Health Emergency and Disaster Risk Management Research Network (TPRN): Report of the Kobe Expert Meeting. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019; 16(7):E1232. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16071232.
4) Projects for key research themes.
https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/what_we_do/health-edrm-rp
5) Systematic review of health data management before, during and after emergencies and disasters.
https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/project-details/h-edrm_area1
6) Determinants of long-term mental health outcomes after disasters and health emergencies: A systematic review and establishment of the Asia Pacific Disaster Mental Health Network.
https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/project-details/h-edrm_area2
7) The impacts of climate-related disasters on vulnerable populations in China, Indonesia and Viet Nam: A scoping Review of Health Adaptation and Implications for Measurement.
https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/project-details/h-edrm_area3
8) Health workforce development in Health EDRM: literature review, case studies and expert consultations.
https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/project-details/h-edrm_area4
9) WHO Health EDRM Knowledge Hub.
https://extranet.who.int/kobe_centre/en/what_we_do/knowledge-hub

Deliverables

The consultant will produce the following deliverables for each activity.

Output 1: Develop audiovisual products, create Slideshows for the existing four research areas, and prepare the contents to update the knowledge hub webpage for the existing four research areas.

Activity 1.1:

• Contribute to producing video presentations with slideshows for the up-to-date knowledge on the four research areas in consultation with the WKC research partners for the four research areas.
• Draft the slideshows, finalize them in cooperation with the WKC research partners, and record the video presentation by the WKC research partners.

Deliverable 1.1: four video presentations with slideshows for four research areas (one for each area) completed with the links and information posted on the WKC website.

Activity 1.2:

• Update the knowledge hub contents through regular consultation (by e-mails and online meetings as needed) with the WKC research partners and Health EDRM RN participants.
• Draft an update report for the four research areas every six months.

Deliverable 1.2: Two reports about the updated knowledge on the four research areas, to be submitted in the 4th and 10th month of the contract.

Output 2: Facilitate the drafting of webpages for the WHO Health EDRM Knowledge Hub.

• Activity 2.1: Draft webpages of the WHO Health EDRM Knowledge Hub using Drupal, a web design tool used for WKC website. The developed contents produced by the output 1 activities will be reflected on the WKC website.

Deliverable 2.1: a series of webpages for the WHO Health EDRM Knowledge Hub, document(s) to explain possible new format(s) for the webpages to the web designer.

Output 3: Plan and organize bimonthly WKC webinars for Health EDRM in 2022-2023.

Activity 3.1:

• Prepare and implement a plan for a one-hour bimonthly webinar series to disseminate research commissioned by WKC and introduce key new findings in Health EDRM research.
• Contact the leading experts on Health EDRM introduced by WKC and prepare a thematic webinar once every two months to introduce the progress of research activities commissioned by WKC and related key new research findings for each webinar theme.
• Facilitate the preparation of the presentation by the speakers for the webinars as needed.

Deliverable 3.1: A detailed plan for a bimonthly webinar series with concrete activities and timelines.
Deliverable 3.2: Six webinars completed with the links and information posted on the WKC website.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

Minimum first university degree in health sciences, public health, health development, or related fields.

Desirable:

Advanced university degree in health sciences or related fields.

Experience

Essential:

At least one year relevant experience in health science, medicine, or public health.

Desirable:

Experience in research or related activities on Health EDRM.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Demonstrated skills in concise technical writing, and a strong publication record.
• Familiarity to organize webinars and coordinate meetings with multiple stakeholders using Zoom or Teams platforms.

Desirable:

Familiarity with WHO/UN.

Languages required:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Off site: Home-based. The consultant should have all necessary equipment and supplies for performing the work remotely.

Travel

No travel is expected as part of this assignment. Ad hoc travel may be required for task-related meetings.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level A – USD 198-349 per day.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year):

11 months (part-time) 3 days per week. Planned start date is 01/07/2022

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.
• 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