BACKGROUND

More than 700 million people in the world are over age 65. More than 240 million of them live in the Western Pacific Region, and that number is expected to double by 2050. The pace of ageing is accelerating in the Region due to improvements in life expectancy and declining fertility rates.

WHO Western Pacific Region Committee Member States adopted the Regional Action Plan (RAP) in October 2020 and requested WHO to support countries to prepare for population ageing. RAP aims to support Member States to improve the health and well-being of older populations in the Western Pacific Region so that they thrive and contribute to their societies. The Plan is guided by a multisectoral, future- oriented and lifelong approach that adopts an equity approach and utilizes existing assets to the extent possible.

Since the Plan proposes actions beyond traditional public health interventions, such as creating age- friendly societies and environments, all countries are encouraged to start preparing for health and social transformations, taking a multi-sectoral approach. For the implementation of the RAP, WHO WPRO would like to work together with Country Office focal points, government counter parts and external partners (e.g. academia, relevant non-health partners, civil society organizations, etc.). Advocacy for healthy ageing at all levels of the government and partnership with all relevant sectors are necessary to initiate early preparations for healthy ageing.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

Advocate for early action for healthy ageing to Member States and to form partnerships with relevant stakeholders

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

OUTPUT(S)

Output 1 – Lead level advocacy for the early actions to prepare for the population ageing as proposed in the Regional Action Plan on Healthy Ageing in the Western Pacific (2021)

Deliverable 1.1 – Identify the target policy objectives for advocacy as per Regional Action Plan on Healthy Ageing in the Western Pacific

Deliverable 1.2 – Develop an advocacy plan including relevant partners, key message, supporting evidence.

Deliverable 1.3 – Work with WHO WPRO Social Determinants of Health (SDH) unit on producing reports/studies/policy briefs on the need to start social and health systems transformation – build on the previous work by both units

Output 2 – Produce necessary advocacy materials requested by the Member States or the Coordinator, Healthy Ageing.

Deliverable 2.1 – Develop advocacy materials for internal and external use (delivered by AGE/DSI or other WPRO staff)

Deliverable 2.2 – Support WHO collaboration center or other academic institutes to disseminate knowledge (e.g. inviting them for WHO Webinar, linking them to the needs of Member States).

Deliverable 2.3 – Develop evidence-based advocacy and knowledge materials required for discussions with Member States (e.g. analysis of disease burden, social perception for older adults, summary of academic articles).

Deliverable 2.4 – Draft the report or update by the WHO (e.g. RCM report) on healthy ageing

Output 3 – Form partnership with key stakeholders, opinion leaders and technical expert groups

Deliverable 3.1 – Lead coordination of discussions with existing partners (UN agencies, NGOs, academic partners) and discuss the opportunity to collaborate

Deliverable 3.2 – Identify the opportunity to collaborate with partners beyond health sectors (e.g. IT, housing, transportation) and develop a plan to build partnership (e.g. defining co-benefit, reaching out industry organizations, developing common goals/actions).

Output 4 – Any additional tasks as assigned by the Coordinator of AGE/DSI

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

Occasional travel required

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in public health, health sciences, social sciences or communication

Desirable:  Master’s in public health, health sciences, social sciences, marketing or other relevant areas

EXPERIENCE
Essential: At least 2 years of relevant work experience in advocacy, partnership, marketing in public sector, corporate social responsibility, social sector or private sector

TECHNICAL SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Excellent communication and coordination skills

Good knowledge and skills in report writing and structural thinking

Persistence in follow up, tact and diplomacy to work with international personnel

LANGUAGE

Fluent in written and spoken English

COMPETENCIES

Communicating in a credible and effective way

Producing results

Fostering integration and teamwork

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Duration of contract: 1 April 2022 – 15 July 2023

Place of assignment: The Consultant will be offered an on-site contract and will be based at the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO/WPRO) in Manila, Philippines.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < [email protected] > by 25 February 2022. 

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. 166262 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.