Consultant - Strategic foresight for future-ready health systems in the Western Pacific Region

Purpose of consultancy

The consultant will provide technical support to raise awareness and build capacity to use strategic foresight as well as facilitate its adoption for planning, decision making and implementation for health across the Region.

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region has adopted a new vision for WHO and Member States’ work over the next four years.

The new vision, Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025−2029): Working together to improve health, well-being and save lives, has been endorsed by Member States in October 2024. The vision centres on the analogy of the weaving of a mat − a traditional activity across Asia and the Pacific – symbolizing the collaborative efforts required by WHO, governments and partners to improve the health and well-being of the people of the Region. The vision comprises five vertical strands of action led by governments, interwoven with three horizontal strands of action by WHO over the coming five years.

The five vertical strands of action led by governments, working with WHO and other stakeholders, include:
1. Transformative primary health care for universal health coverage
2. Climate-resilient health systems
3. Resilient communities, societies and systems for health security
4. Healthier people throughout the life course
5. Technology and innovation for future health equity.

The three horizontal strands of action by WHO are:
1. Country offices equipped with skills for scaling up and innovation
2. Nimble support teams in the Regional Office
3. Effective communication for public health.

Within WPRO, the Data, Strategy, and Innovation (DSI) division supports Member States in leveraging data, digital technology, strategic foresight, science, research, and innovation. It also offers capacity building and leadership development for future-ready health systems. In DSI, the Strategic Dialogue (DIA) unit specifically focuses on building future-ready health systems through strategic foresight by:
• Promoting futures-thinking and strategic foresight awareness
• Building strategic foresight capacity
• Embedding foresight practices into health planning, decision-making, and implementation across the Region.

Deliverables

Under the supervision of the Strategic Dialogue Team Coordinator of Data, Strategy and Innovation Group, the consultant is expected to deliver the following:

Output 1: Technical support to raise awareness of futures-thinking across WHO and Member States
• Deliverable 1: Expand the Museum of Health Futures initiative through relevant collaborations and activities with a focus on country impact.
• Deliverable 2: Conduct stakeholder engagement and develop communication products to support the engagement with an informal community of practice of health foresight
• Deliverable 3: Research, identify, prepare for relevant future-oriented events and ensure outputs are captured and communicated.

Output 2: Technical support for the development and implementation of capacity building initiatives in strategic foresight for WHO personnel and Member States
• Deliverable 1: Provide technical expertise to design and deliver a strategic foresight masterclass or other ad-hoc capacity building sessions for health leaders.
• Deliverable 2: Provide technical expertise to facilitate the integration of strategic foresight in WHO-led trainings and fellowships.
• Deliverable 3: Capture key content and methodological outputs from DIA-led sessions.

Output 3: Technical support to expand the practice of strategic foresight in health planning, decision-making and implementation
• Deliverable 1: Provide technical expertise to facilitate the systematic integration of strategic foresight as a tool to deliver on the Weaving Health vision.
• Deliverable 2: Provide technical expertise and process design to support future-oriented engagements with Member States.
• Deliverable 3: Capture lessons learned from these processes to enable organizational learning.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Master’s degree in public health, business administration, political science, international relations, strategic management or social sciences.
Desirable: Formal training in strategic foresight, training, innovation.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years of progressively responsible work experience in strategic planning, strategy design or strategic foresight and designing and facilitating foresight exercises is required.
Experience in designing and organizing consultative processes in the public health area or in other public sectors.
Relevant experience at the international level.
Experience in effectively engaging with senior government levels and senior international experts.
Desirable: Experience working within or for the UN system or other international humanitarian/development organisations is an advantage. Work experience in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential: Excellent project management skills; Good knowledge of the dynamics of the international public health work. Expert knowledge of international futures and foresight best practices; Ability to provide technical support at government level; Ability to work harmoniously as a member of the team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.
Desirable: graphic design, presentation and communication skills

Languages and level required:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English

Location

Off site: Home-based

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel to the Regional Office in Manila, Philippines, and other locations based on emerging needs.

Remuneration and budget:

Remuneration: Payband B, USD 8,000 (monthly)
Expected duration of contract : 11 months, February to December 2025

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.
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