Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical expertise towards two key projects/activities:

  1. WHO NCD-Lab Initiative to identify innovative solutions, contextualized at country level and available online, that target policy-level change, systems change or individual-level change, identified and disseminated through WHO platforms;
  2. WHO Framework for the meaningful engagement of People Living with NCDs and mental health conditions (PLWNCD&MHC) to meaningfully engage people living with NCDs and mental health conditions in the co-development and co-design of NCD principles, policies, programmes and services.

Background

The purpose of the Global NCD Platforms is to coordinate and mobilize meaningful and effective commitments and contributions from UN organizations, NGOs, academic institutions, philanthropic foundations and the private sector to support the overall strategic directions and priorities of WHO’s work on SDG target 3.4 and other NCD-related SDGs.

The Secretariat of the WHO GCM/NCD constitutes one of the Department’s Units which implements the departments purpose of facilitating and enhancing the coordination of activities, multi-stakeholder engagement and action across sectors at the national, regional and global levels, while avoiding duplication of efforts, using resources in an efficient and results-orientated way, and safeguarding WHO and public health from any undue influence by any form of real, perceived or potential conflicts of interest.

Ambitious and collective action is required to meet SDG target 3.4 for NCD by 2030, with the world’s most vulnerable and marginalized people positioned at the top of this agenda. In view of this, the UN Decade of Action calls for accelerating sustainable solutions to the world’s biggest challenges and seeks to mobilize everyone, everywhere; demand urgency and ambition; and supercharge ideas to solutions. Similarly, the WHO recognizes the critical priority of fostering new ideas and solutions for the achievement of SDG 3 and the Triple Billion targets. The urgency and complexity of the global NCD challenge requires innovation to deliver sustained and scalable solutions.

Through the NCD Lab, launched in February 2021 by the GCM/NCD, WHO supports needs-driven grassroots innovations that are developed by and meet the needs of local communities in LMICs towards ensuring the greatest possible impact in achieving SDG target 3.4. In line with the philosophy of “leave no one behind,” grassroots innovations have the advantage of understanding the actual needs of marginalized local communities, the barriers in the way of impact, and building on existing community knowledge and structures to address these needs. By harnessing grassroots innovations, the WHO aims to support bottom-up efforts to develop more holistic and contextually appropriate health systems.

In addition, the development of the WHO Framework for the meaningful engagement of People Living with NCDs and mental health conditions aligns with strong political commitments for accelerating action contained in the three United Nations (UN) High-Level Meetings on NCDs. Further, the importance of this topic has been raised in the WHO Independent High-Level Commission on NCDs recommendation 5, highlight that WHO should play a role in supporting governments to encourage and promote meaningful engagement with civil society for the prevention and control of NCDs and the promotion of mental health and provide people affected by NCDs with an essential voice to inform decision-making processes on laws, policies, healthcare services and other systemic NCD decisions.

Deliverables:

Output 1: Launch of the 2023-2024 term of the NCD Lab (to be completed by 28 February 2023).

1.1 Provide draft updated Terms of Reference for new phase, identifying new opportunities to enhance previous TORs (incl. eligibility criteria, individual vs organization, legal aspects) and coordinating and aligning with guidance provided by WHO LEG teams.
1.2 Review process and follow up with WHO LEG on a new TORs.
1.3 Engage, consult and build consensus with NCD Lab Co-chairs and Steering Committee members on a new TORs and any revised roles and responsibilities of Steering Committee
1.4 Support outreach and follow up to renew/revise existing Steering Committee appointments and roles
1.5 Support outreach and follow up to renew and/or initiate any new thematic areas and relevant Steering Committees in addition to current ones

Output 2: Contribute to conceptualize and prepare for fourth cycle call for submissions to the NCD Lab in collaboration with WHO Innovation Hub and relevant technical departments and offices (to be completed by 30 March 2023)

2.1 Develop a strategic plan to shape thematic focus of the call-in line with evidence-based data and country needs, and carry out stakeholder engagement, communication and wider outreach activities before and during call for submissions.
2.2 Convene, engage and support relevant technical department across the 3 levels of WHO to shape and support the call (in particular WHO Innovation Hub and technical departments relevant to the call).

Output 3: Review NCD Lab Cycle 4 submissions in joint process with Co-chairs, Steering Committees and WHO partners and identify shortlisted and winning projects (to be completed by 30 August 2023).

3.1 Perform phase 1 quality control of received submissions, followed by review, shortlisting and consolidation of aggregate final scores.
3.2 Provide technical guidance to Co-chairs, Steering Committees and WHO partners to identify shortlisted and winning projects.

Output 4: Contribute to the provision of strategic communications to winners and partners, conduct promotional and communications activities in line with guidance from WHO Department of Communication (to be completed by 30 November 2023)

4.1 Prepare KAP one-pagers/articles/videos, webinar, country support).
4.2 Prepare evaluation survey for Steering Committee and follow up with lessons learned.

Output 5: Contribute to promote previous NCD-LAB winners through follow-up on project progress and milestones, alignments with WHO workstreams and initiatives, inclusion in global portfolio of grassroots innovations and visibility for potential funders and implementing partners (to be completed by 8 December 2023).

5.1 Facilitate webinars and ensure advocacy, dissemination and engagement activities with previous NCD Lab winners, and highlight progress on projects.
5.2 Contribute to the development of a document that maps ongoing activities across WHO and GCM Participants where the value of NCD Lab and its winners can be highlighted.

Output 6: Contribute to the GCM workstream on the meaningful engagement of People Living with NCDs and mental health conditions in the following: (to be completed by 8 December 2023).

6.1 Contribute to the development of six policy briefs with regional offices on the principles, policies, strategies and structures necessary for meaningful engagement of people living with NCDs and mental health conditions.
6.2 Provide strategic support and guidance in the implementation for the WHO Framework implementation phase

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

  • Advanced degree in public health, global health or international development or other related public health field.

Desirable:

  • Degree or credentials in public health policy.
  • Degree/certificate in communications.

Experience

Essential:

  • Minimum five years of experience working in international organizations and/or nongovernmental organizations working in global health.
  • Experience in advocacy and strategic communications.
  • Experience in working with individuals with living/lived experiences of health conditions.
  • Experience working and building partnerships with diverse stakeholders groups across income settings.

Desirable:

  • Previous experience working with WHO in a relevant area.

Skills

  • Strong understanding of the NCD and mental health agenda.
  • Understanding of NCD and mental health advocacy and global health civil society movements.
  • Strong writing, communication and presentation skills.
  • Sound technical knowledge of global public health.
  • Ability to work under pressure, meet short deadlines and maintain diplomacy.
  • Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of professional conduct.

Languages required:

Essential:

  • Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

  • Knowledge of other UN languages.

Location

Off-site: Home based.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B-USD 7,000 - 9,980 per month.

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

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

11 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 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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