Consultant – Health inequality monitoring technical writing

Purpose of consultancy

To contribute to the conduct of literature reviews and with technical writing of reports, papers and other communication materials related to health inequalities.

Background

Monitoring health inequalities and their drivers is crucial to achieve health equity, which is a key element of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development aspiration to “leave no one behind” as well as the World Health Organization’s 13th General Programme of Work (GPW 13). Health inequality monitoring is vital for tracking progress towards universal health coverage to ensure that disadvantaged populations achieve accelerated gains alongside overall improvement in the broader population, thus narrowing coverage gaps.

The health inequality monitoring team at the World Health Organization has developed a package of tools and resources to support inequality monitoring at global and national levels, including a health inequality monitoring handbook, two step-by-step manuals, the Health Inequality Data Repository, and the Health Equity Assessment Toolkit. WHO has substantial experience in developing inequality monitoring tools as well as in building capacity in this area among countries. In addition, WHO conducts monitoring of health inequalities and produces global and national reports of the state of inequality in various health topics.

The team has a five-year strategy (https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/inequality-monitoring-and-analysis-strategy-2022-27) that includes three strategic goals: (1) strengthening capacity for health inequality monitoring at country, regional and global levels; (2) generating the latest evidence on health inequality; and (3) developing and refining health inequality monitoring methods, tools, resources and best practices.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Undertake two systematic literature reviews related to inequalities.
• Deliverable 2: Technical writing of analytical reports, papers, guidance, web pages, communication materials and other products related to health inequalities, including the World Health Statistics reports.
• Deliverable 3: Contribute to drafting of a second edition handbook on health inequality monitoring.
• Deliverable 4: Contribute to capacity-building (training workshops and eLearning course development) for health inequality monitoring.
• Deliverable 5: Development of communication and presentation materials for the dissemination of health inequality monitoring products.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• University degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Communication, Health Information Science, or related area.

Desirable:

• Advanced university degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Health Communication, Health Information Science, or related area.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 5 years of experience in performing systematic literature reviews in the area of health inequalities.
• At least 5 years of experience in writing technical reports and papers related to health inequalities, with at least 10 first-author papers published in peer-reviewed journals.
• Demonstrated experience in capacity-building for health inequality monitoring.

Desirable:

• Experience in interpreting health inequality data using a range of data sources on population health.
• Experience in developing communication and dissemination materials for different audiences.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.
• Knowledge of the topic of health equity and health inequality monitoring.
• Good knowledge of MS Office including SharePoint, Teams, Word and Excel.
• Ability to work independently and remotely in multidisciplinary and multicultural settings.
• Clear understanding of research methods and epidemiological/demography/statistical principles.

Desirable:

• Good knowledge of data visualization techniques.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Off-site – Home based.

Travel

The consultant is not 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. Part-time at 40% to 80%. Remuneration will be pro-rated accordingly.

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