BACKGROUND

The Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organization incorporates a diverse group of countries with different cultural, political, social and economic backgrounds. The Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) of the WHO, with the leadership of the Regional Director, and with broad consultations with all country offices and Member States, published its strategy for the Region, For the Future. The For the Future white paper provides the framework for WHO/WPRO’s work over the next five years across four thematic areas: Health Security (including antimicrobial resistance/AMR); NCDs and Ageing; Climate Change, the environment and health; and Reaching the Unreached—people and communities still afflicted by infectious disease, and high rates of maternal and infant mortality.  

The Data, Strategy and Innovation (DSI) unit was set up in 2019 in WPRO in response to “For the Future” and focuses on innovation, data and strategic engagement with countries on health, well-being and health systems transformation. DSI leads the Health Futures Strategic Dialogue (HFSD) process for WHO Regional Office in the Western Pacific in Manila.  

The Health Futures Strategic Dialogue (HFSD) is a foresight-based process enabling Member States to develop and drive a national longer-term change agenda for health systems and population health and wellbeing. HFSD involve rigorous analysis and debate of change drivers across health and (geo) political, economic, social, technological, environmental dimensions. It aims at the institutionalisation of foresight functions; and formulation of long-term agendas for health systems transformation.    

This process applies futures and strategic foresight approaches, often used in the private sector, to health systems planning and design. The rationale for this approach is that if the longer-term vision is clear, the shorter-term planning is more effective in preparing health systems for the future. Traditional planning generally strives to overcome problems and issues being faced at the time of planning and from experiences in the recent past. This retrospective approach can result in short-sighted changes that may not meet the challenges posed by a rapidly changing world with emerging environmental threats, demographic shifts and technological opportunities. By contrast, a HFSD is based on a prospective approach, by which a vision for the health future in 2050 is developed and policies and plans to achieve that vision are formed through back-casting.    

The Futures Showcase

Adopting strategic foresight for health will require a shift in ways of thinking from the targeted organizations and individuals involved in the HFSDs. To support this mind shift, WHO would like to develop a collection of inspiring and modern-looking videos that provide the “aha” moments of foresight and futures, where the penny drops and people understand the ideas, concepts and how they can be applied. These are real life stories “from the field” and explanations by futurists of applications of their in the field of health. 

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

To produce short videos of concrete applications of futures and foresight methodologies in the field of health to facilitate understanding of the concepts by non-initiated audiences.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

1.  To provide research and consulting services on key initiatives in relation to the subject. Once a short list is available, the vendor will be expected to consult with WHO to establish the final list of subjects for the videos.

2.  To coordinate the production of 10 short insightful videos showcasing futures and foresight work in the field of health.

3. To produce 2 “special videos” featuring key aspects of WHO’s work.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Each video should not be longer than 3 minutes. They should be modern-looking and compliant with the unit’s visual identity. They should be in English or include English subtitles.

In order to respect the time limit, a suggested structure for these videos is:  
Who (a line on the organization or the protagonist), Why (the problem they faced), How (the method used) and, finishing with, the Impact (how it led to change).

A different structure, such as a 3-minute narrative about one aspect or personal story within this process, could be considered on a case by case basis.  

All submissions should give a non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid up, perpetual, license to the World Health Organization for its use of the videos including in public events (forums, trainings, online portal,etc.).

Deliverable(s) to be submitted

Output 1: Research and consulting services.

• • Research initiatives and works illustrating different foresight approaches or stages in a strategic foresight journey, preferably but not limited to the region
• • Produce a first selection of approximately 20 initiatives that could be of interest based on key criteria to be defined with WHO
• • Establish final selection and editorial line in coordination with WHO (10 videos will be produced)
• • Note: one of the videos will be dedicated to showcasing the use of art in capturing future trends, as part of an ongoing art exhibition project within DSI

Output 2: Production of 10 short videos

• • Organize outreach to relevant protagonists to be featured in the videos
• • Define format, script and ideally propose a sample video to be approved by WHO
• • Produce / edit videos
•  
• • Selection criteria for initiatives to be shortlisted
• • Initial short-list of initiatives (~20)
• • Final list of initiatives and protagonists to be featured in the videos (10)
• • Structure and format of the video
• • Final batch of videos (10)

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• • Videography and photography skills, and experience in virtual video events
• • Content development, video editing skills

LANGUAGES

Speaking, reading and writing knowledge of the English language.

COMPETENCIES

Able to complete the task in the given time frame

Producing results

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Please send a technical offer including:

• • A short concept note including: your experience with futures & foresight, an explanation of your capacity to produce the videos, your approach to the project, key methodology elements, and a proposed timeframe for completion.
• • A sample of inspiring stories that might be used for the videos would be a plus. You may also add any other relevant information.
• • A sample of previous videos made 
• • Three client references who may be contacted in relation to this piece.
• • A detailed budget.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested individual or party should submit the following documents to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > and WP RO DIA at wprodia@who.int by 15 May 2021

• • Expression of interest (cover letter)
• • Proposed fee and timelines
• • Portfolio and samples of work
• • WHO personal history form or CV

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 128001 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.