Consultant for Data Analysis

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PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The consultant will support the work by NCD Prevention (PND) and Health Enabling Society (HES) units, specifically: 1) support data analysis on the prevalence and root causes of NCD risk factors and diseases at regional, national and sub-national levels; 2) support member states to visualize the health inequity at regional, national and sub-national levels; and 3) identify the forecast model for return on investment in health among vulnerable population.

BACKGROUND

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of death and disability in the Western Pacific Region (WPR) and are a major threat to development. The four main NCDs - cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory disease, and diabetes, were responsible for 87% of all deaths in 2019. The NCD epidemic affects all countries, but low- and middle-income countries suffer a heavier impact due to limited resources to prevent, diagnose and treat these diseases.

To address the increasing NCD burden and reduce premature deaths from these diseases, WHO developed the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases 2013-2030 (NCD-GAP) and the Western Pacific Regional Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases 2014-2020 (NCD RAP).

A regional vision paper ‘For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region’ endorsed at the 70th Regional Committee Meeting (RCM), presents “NCDs and ageing” as one of the four thematic priorities of the Region and articulates calls from Member States for a new approach in addressing NCDs. It delineates three related areas of NCD work where systematic, strategic, and systems approaches to accelerate progress in the Region will need to be defined: (1) surveillance; (2) upstream determinants; and (3) individual services. To better define these approaches, WPRO recognises the need to strengthen the health systems, enhance whole of society commitment at the highest levels, and address other persistent gaps in the prevention and control of NCDs in the region. It was recommended at the 72nd RCM for WHO to draft a new regional action framework for the prevention and control of NCDs to be tabled before the 73rd RCM in October 2022.

Meanwhile, the accumulating evidence suggests that people’ s health is driven primarily by non-health factors such as education, income, childhood development. Health sector should demonstrate the link between these social determinants of health and people’s health in different settings and facilitate the discussion and implementation of non-health policies, which have significant impact on health.

PLANNED TIMELINES

Start Date: 1 April 2023
End Date: 30 September 2023

WORK TO BE PERFORMED

Support the NCD Prevention (PND) unit:
Output 1 - Conduct situation analysis with quantitative and qualitative analysis, and support Member States to develop a NCD prevention and management policy
Output 2 - Support member states to build in-country capacity to guide sub-national data for policy

Support the Health Enabling Society (HES) unit:
Output 3 - With existing data, conduct a quantitative evaluation of the effects of social determinants on people’s health in a few countries.
Output 4 - Find partner (s) and establish the forecast model to assess the return on investment in health among vulnerable population

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

For Output 1: Collect local indicators on NCD (e.g. disease burden, risk factor, health environment), assemble relevant and valid data, analyse data and prioritize the health gap and opportunities, and facilitate the cross-sectoral dialogue to agree on the best response.
For Output 2: Identify the in-country institute/partner to support the sub-national activities and support the capacity development of identified institute/partner
For Output 3: Collect local data on social determinants (e.g. education, childhood development, employment) and health outcome (e.g. disease burden, life expectancy). Analyze the relationship between social determinants and health outcome.
For Output 4: Identify the partner based on the literature search and expert interviews which owns the forecast model. Discuss the adaptation in the countries in Western Pacific (possibly with the implementation partner in Western Pacific, if needed). Facilitate the collaboration between the partners and Member States, upon request.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

EDUCATION

Essential: University degree in science, medicine and/or other health-related field from a recognized university.
Desirable: Advanced degree (master or above) in health economics or public health from a recognized university.

EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least 5 years’ experience in economics, health economics, public health, medicine, or health science
Desirable: Experience and has worked on international public health or health research, clinical practice in primary healthcare setting.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE
Data analysis capacity, public health, NCD and/or social determinants of health

LANGUAGES
Fluent in written and spoken English

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

PLACE OF ASSIGNMENT
Manila, Philippines (On-site)

MEDICAL CLEARANCE
The selected consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

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.
• 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.

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