Purpose of consultancy

To develop a framework of learning and capacity building for NCD prevention and control services to guide countries in structuring capacity building of health workers with competency-based learning outcomes and effective instructional design and adult educational techniques.

Background

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) pose a fast-growing public health challenge globally, with immense burden to the poorest segments of the population that greatly lack access to quality health services in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). WHO has committed to strengthen and orient health systems to address the prevention and control of NCDs and the underlying social determinants through people-centered primary health care towards achievement of universal health coverage (UHC) (WHO Global NCD Action Plan 2013-2020, objective 4). A global target was set for a 25% relative reduction in premature mortality from NCDs by 2025 and 30% by 2030. A set of cost-effective interventions, or NCD “best buys,” are further recommended for wide implementation to assist countries in reaching global targets for NCDs. The WHO package of essential noncommunicable disease interventions (PEN), HEARTS package, NCD Prevention packages, WHO UHC Compendium of Health Interventions, Rehabilitation in health systems: guide for action, and other global products and tools are available to support countries in strengthening NCD service delivery at primary healthcare.

The rising burden of NCDs commands robust training practices for all levels of the health workforce tasked to carry out NCD services across the continuum of preventive, curative and rehabilitative aspects of NCD care. Tailoring the planning and education of health and other workers to impact NCD outcomes will require defining new curricula and reforming existing pre- and in-service educational training to instill relevant knowledge, skills and behaviors for NCDs. The shift towards multidisciplinary team-based care prompts the need for innovative approaches in pre-service and in-service training. Driving change for NCDs further requires Ministries of Health and other public health institutions to enhance the knowledge and skills of the public health workforce to develop and plan strategies to address NCDs. The need to “build institutional capacity at all levels for effective public policy stewardship, leadership and governance of HRH actions” is highlighted in Objective 3 of the Global Strategy on HRH: Workforce 2030, with a further need to emphasize the prioritization of NCDs in HRH actions.

Competency-based education is widely acknowledged as the benchmark for transforming education and training of the health workforce for improved population and health outcomes. The WHO Global Competency and Outcomes Framework towards UHC provides a recommended approach to competency-based education of health workers, focusing on those competencies and other education outcomes for health workers in primary health care with a pre-service training pathway of 12-48 months. The Framework provides the foundation for structuring learning across all disease areas, including NCDs.

Current capacity building initiatives on NCDs focus training on WHO PEN, HEARTS, NCD prevention packages, Communication for Behavioural Impact (COMBI), a medical leadership course, and others. The guidance, tools and resources which have been developed to help countries in implementing the WHO ‘best buys’ provide solutions but exist as standalone streams of work and lack a coherent approach to implementation. A streamlined framework is needed to guide countries in structuring capacity building of health workers with competency-based learning outcomes and effective instructional design and educational techniques for adults. Development of a framework of learning and capacity building for NCD prevention and control services will provide the foundational and operational structure for building an NCD-ready workforce (both health and multisector) that is properly trained and skilled in technical and leadership competencies for NCD services. It contributes mainly to WHO GPW 13 output of enabling countries system to deliver on NCD services but also to address risk factors and other determinants of health.

Deliverables

Objective 1: Conduct scoping review of existing learning frameworks and standards for NCD capacity development.

  • Output 1.1: Develop a workplan of activities and timeline. (Due 29 July 2022)
  • Output 1.2: Develop protocol for scoping review outlining the objective, key research questions and methodology. (Due 5 August 2022)
  • Output 1.3: Conduct scoping review with presentation of results and summary of findings.
  • Output 1.4: Develop final report with key findings and conclusions. (Due 15 July 2022)

Objective 2: Consult with WHO departments, countries, and external partners on core requirements of a learning framework for NCD.

  • Output 2.1: Draft concept note on requirements of a learning framework for NCDs, using results of the scoping review as background. (Due 22 July 2022)
  • Output 2.2: Consult with country and regional focal points to assess the capacity building needs for health workers to improve NCD prevention and control services. (Due 12 August 2022)
  • Output 2.3: Prepare, convene and facilitate a technical meeting with key WHO department focal points, country focal points, and external partners to define the core requirements of a learning framework for NCD.
  • Output 2.4: Develop meeting report with key recommendations from both consultations. (Due 1 September 2022)

Objective 3: Draft the global learning framework for NCDs that is aligned with the Global Competency Framework and NCD guidance

  • Output 3.1: Develop draft framework for learning and capacity building for NCD prevention and control services. (Due 20 October 2022)
  • Output 3.2: Consult with WHO health workforce department and key stakeholders to review the draft framework, making advised changes. (Due 3 November 2022)
  • Output 3.3: Finalize, copy-edit, design and publish framework using relevant WHO channels. (Due 1 December 2022)

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

First university degree in public health, health science, education or related field.

Desirable:

Master’s degree in public health, education or related field.

Experience

Essential:

Over 5 years of relevant experience in health systems or global health, preferably in the field of health workforce and education.

Desirable:

Experience in competency-based education.

Skills/Knowledge:

  • Skills in conducting a literature review, synthesizing vast quantities of information, building networks, consensus building and dissemination of information.
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and in writing.
  • Strong research skills.
  • Proven ability to meet deadlines.
  • Self-motivated and comfortable working in a virtual, small, collaborative team environment.

Languages required:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Off-site – Home based.

Travel

No travel is expected.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B - USD 7000 - 9980 per month.

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

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

6 months.

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
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