Consultant – Strategic Knowledge Hub, Manila, Philippines

Purpose of consultancy

The Strategic Knowledge Hub consultants will work in full-time capacity to produce recommendations for policy and action on pressing public health problems/questions to divisions and units of the Western Pacific Regional Office and the Region’s Country Offices, by using and demonstrating the hypothesis-driven approach and other problem-solving methods.

Background

The public health landscape is complex and dynamic—while more information has become available with the internet (e.g., journal articles, blogs, social media), data is still lacking in many instances. Member States have urgent timelines for decisions (especially in emergencies) and simultaneously require solutions that are timely, but also tailored. Adopting problem-solving approaches will enable WPRO to process large quantities of information from various disciplines and to deliver solutions efficiently.

The Strategic Knowledge Hub hires early career professionals to produce recommendations for action using problem-solving approaches. They will be providing agile support to priority projects aligned with the Country Cooperation Strategies with teams in the Regional Office and Country Offices and can be readily deployed as needed. They will demonstrate the value of problem-solving to accelerate progress towards the new regional vision.

Deliverables

With the overall guidance of the Director, Programme Management, and day-to-day guidance/support by the advisory group they will:
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative research
• Support the development of materials such as issue papers, policy briefs, among others
• Drafting reports and/or presentations with appropriate data, analyses, interviews, either through field participation or collections and analysis of available data

The hosting divisions will provide additional guidance and technical support as needed.

• Deliverable 1. Presentation on the personal project and first client project Expected by: September 2024
• Deliverable 2. Completion of the induction package, including trainings and activities Expected by: September 2024
• Deliverable 3. Contribution to GHLC 2024 curriculum and facilitation of workshops (and any other necessary capacity building engagements) Expected by: September 2024
• Deliverable 4. Presentation on recommendations for development and improvement of SKH function in WPRO Expected by: December 2024
• Deliverable 5. Presentation and other outputs (e.g., reports, analyses) as necessary for first major project Expected by: December 2024
• Deliverable 6. Presentation and other outputs (e.g., reports, analyses) as necessary for second major project Expected by: April 2025
• Deliverable 7. Contribution to recommendations for development and improvement of SKH function in WPRO Expected by: July 2025
• Deliverable 8. Presentation and other outputs (e.g., reports, analyses) as necessary for third major project Expected by: July 2025

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: A university degree and background in natural or social sciences with a demonstrated strong academic background.
Desirable: A master’s level university degree or doctorate in a relevant field.

Experience

Essential: At least two years of experience working in public health and/or with qualitative or quantitative data analysis.
Desirable:
• Previous experience in management consulting
• Previous experience in coordinating with diverse teams (both national and international)
• Previous experience in managing research and quantitative and qualitative analysis

Skills/Knowledge

• Excellent communication skills
• Excellent analytical, planning, and organizational skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills

Languages and level required

Essential: Expert knowledge of English

Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Chinese or French

Location

On site: Western Pacific Regional Office – Manila, Philippines

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel to support technical teams and Country Offices for durations ranging from 4-16 weeks.

Remuneration and budget

a. Remuneration: TBD
b. Living expenses: with paid per diem
c. Expected duration of contract: 11 months, estimated start date 15 Aug 2024

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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