Innovation and Research (INR) Consultant

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Terms of Reference

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

To support WHO in developing and implementing the Regional Innovation Strategy, and core innovation capacity building activities in Member States.

2. Background

The Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI) Group was set up in 2019 in the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) in response to the Regional Director’s white paper “For the Future” and focuses on innovation, data and strategic engagement with countries on health systems transformation. The Innovation and Research unit (INR) under DSI is mandated to provide support to Member States in harnessing innovation to develop future-proof health systems.

Innovation for health is already happening in a myriad of ways across the region. The COVID-19 pandemic has further shown that government institutions can play a profound role in fostering and diffusing innovation through policy deliberation and creation of an enabling environment. There is no lack of innovation in the region, but there are roadblocks to scaling it up: innovation takes time, effort and investment that can be hard to prioritize over established solutions. Better governance of innovation and establishment of adequate mechanisms to strategically and systematically identify, evaluate and prepare viable solutions for amplifying innovation are needed.

Member States have requested support from WHO in the region on identifying and amplifying new approaches to address health challenges and developing tools to scale up innovation. To better respond to requests for support, it was proposed to draft a Regional Innovation Strategy to accelerate health innovation in the region.

The selected consultant will provide technical support in the development of a compendium of innovation case studies and other related activities pertinent to the development of the Regional Innovation Strategy, as well as the development of innovation capacity building programmes in collaboration with relevant technical teams.

3. Planned timelines

Start date: 01 May 2023 (subject to confirmation)

End date: 30 November 2023

4. Work to be performed

To support WHO in the development and implementation of the Regional Innovation Strategy, and the implementation of innovation capacity building programme.

Output 1: Design and implement innovation programme in selected technical areas

Deliverable 1.1 Through collaboration with relevant technical teams, co-design innovation programmes to spur and surface new ideas to address challenges in AMR, WASH or climate change

Deliverable 1.2 Support relevant technical teams to implement innovation programmes in identified Member States, validate and select new ideas

Deliverable 1.3 Support the team to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of innovation programme design and implementation

Deliverable 1.4 Develop a standard innovation programme playbook

Output 2: Support the development of Regional Innovation Strategy

Deliverable 2.1 Support the planning and execution of a series of consultations with member states, experts and the respective agencies to inform the drafting of Strategy.

Output 3: Develop a compendium of case study on health innovation

Deliverable 3.1 Coordinate with country offices and relevant technical teams to identify candidates for case studies

Deliverable 3.2 Coordinate with country offices in the collection, analysis and interpretation of openly accessible data for case studies

Deliverable 3.3 Support the development of case studies and production as WHO information products

Output 4: Support innovation capacity building in countries

Deliverable 4.1 Support the team to develop a standard innovation capacity building programme

Deliverable 4.2 Support the implementation of innovation capacity building in identified countries

5. Specific requirements

Qualifications required:

• A post graduate degree in relevant field including public health, health technology, international relation, social science, business administration, or other relevant fields

Experience required:

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience including health innovation, operational reseatch and capacity building programme within an international context
• Experience in project management and people management is an asset.

Knowledge and technical skills required:

• Outstanding ability to understand and critically appraise different forms of innovation and research
• Ability to plan, design and implement a systematic approach to problem-solving

• Excellent writing skills in English, including for technical and general audiences.

• Ability to work harmoniously as a member of the team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct; Ability to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in work

Language requirements:

English

6. Place of assignment

This is an off-site consultancy project. The supplier/contractor will not be required to travel to WHO-WPRO, Manila, Philippines to perform the tasks described in this terms of reference.

7. Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

8. Travel

The Consultant may be expected to travel according to the needs of the project. The exact itinerary and estimated schedule will be discussed to identify the agreed dates and times:

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed

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.