Purpose of the Consultancy

The Management of Noncommunicable Diseases (MND), Division of Programmes for Disease Control (DDC) would like to get an expert to provide technical support improvement of eye health and hearing impairment in the Western Pacific Region.

The consultant is expected to provide depth, understanding and expert guidance to develop a regional framework for eye and ear health and ensure the 2030 regional targets are met.

Primary implementing partners will be the ministries of health.  Some activities will be carried out in collaboration with technical partners and academic institutions.

Background

The WHO aims to achieve control of noncommunicable diseases throughout the Western Pacific Region by targeting the reduction of morbidity and mortality of such conditions and diseases, including vision and hearing dysfunction. The Division supports integrated people-centered care approaches by strengthening primary health care services for prevention, diagnosis, care, and treatment of target diseases and conditions along the life-course while ensuring to reach the unreached and achieving universal health coverage.

To address the impact of vision impairment and blindness in the Region, the WHO developed a regional action plan, Towards Universal Eye Health: A Regional Action Plan for the Western Pacific (2014–2019) which guided the direction of the eye health programmes in the Region for the past years. Recently, WHO launched the first World report on vision on 9 October 2019. The Report provides evidence on the magnitude of vision loss and its prevention and treatment, and rehabilitation. The Report has a strong focus on the need for people-centred eye-care services and integrated eye care within national health systems. The WHO Executive Board in its 146th Session adopted resolution EB146.R8 on ‘Integrated people-centred eye care, including preventable vision impairment and blindness’, formally recognizing the World report on vision and urging Member States to implement its recommendations. The resolution 73.4 was adopted by the 73rd Session of the World Health Assembly on 3 August 2020.

Considering the situation of ear and hearing care in the Western Pacific Region, it is estimated to have the highest prevalence of hearing loss in the world, with approximately 7% of the population affected. By 2050, the region is projected to have the largest number of individuals with hearing loss—approximately 760 million. The regional office needs to respond to the growing burden of eye and ear health in the Region and support new WHO initiatives such as WHO SPECS and expansion of access assistive technologies and devices. The regional action plan for eye care has lapsed and there is no regional framework for ear health to guide member states.

The WHO in the region is actively promoting actions in eye/vision and ear/hearing care across regional actors and member states, focusing on achieving a people-centered approach through primary health care. Therefore, a consultant for eye health and hearing impairment is required at the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific.

Deliverables

Under the supervision and guidance of the Technical Coordinator of the Management of Noncommunicable Diseases (MND) unit of the Division of Programmes Disease Control (DDC), in coordination with relevant country national focal points, WHO Country Offices, Health Ministries in the Western Pacific Region, and other relevant partners, the consultant will perform the following activities:

Work to be performed

Specific terms of reference include:
1. Develop sensory health strategies and initiatives consistent with regional and national priorities and facilitate engagement of Members States and the development of an action framework thereby ensuring the effective functioning of collaborative work on vision and hearing impairment activities in the region.
2. Coordinate activities on sensory functions (Eye health and Hearing impairment) in the region and liaise with country offices in context of systems strengthening and cross cutting work in relation to other noncommunicable diseases.
3. Prepare for and support delivery of the newly developed packages of essential eye and ear care interventions in the context of integrated people-centred care; and, in collaboration with WHO CCs build capacities in health workers for eye health and hearing impairment, especially at community level.
4. Conceptualize, develop layout, format, and design promotional materials and activities agreed as part of the public awareness strategy related to eye health and hearing loss activities and assist in conducting workshops in collaboration with relevant WHO CCs and the WPRO Team lead.
5. Support activities of the unit toward the implementation of the Regional Action Framework for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases, including integration of eye and ear health.

Methods to carry out the activity

1.Meetings with experts, collaborating centers, member state representatives and WHO colleagues
2.Prepare the background and key documents, and compile relevant data
3.Produce a high-quality reports on the sensory health initiatives
4.Perform other related work as required

Outputs

Qualifications, experience, skills, and languages

Qualifications required

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in public health or any health-related field from a recognized institution or university.
Desirable: Postgraduate (master’s level) training in the fields related to public health, noncommunicable disease, and eye and ear health.

Experience required

Essential: Minimum five years’ relevant work experience in control of noncommunicable diseases, particularly in eye and ear health including but not limited to public health measures to prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases including exposure to international level.
Desirable: Experience in managing large teams at national and international levels; relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies, or relevant nongovernmental organizations in the Western Pacific Region.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge

•Broad knowledge of concepts and strategies related to NCD prevention and control, especially eye and ear health.
•Skills in planning, training, monitoring, and evaluation of interventions, and the development of locally adapted tools and instruments.
•Good communication skills, ability to synthesize knowledge and effectively express ideas in writing.
•Ability to coordinate with external partners as well as work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

Language requirements

•Expert level of English is essential (Read-Write-Speak). Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage.

Competencies

•Teamwork
•Communication
•Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
•Producing Results
•Knowing and managing yourself

Place of assignment

The consultant will be based in Manila.

Travel

The consultant may be required to travel to sites for relevant activities (consultations, information gathering, programme reviews, training, etc.).

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: Band level A

Expected duration of contract: 11 months, 15 January 2025 to 15 December 2025

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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