Consultant – Social Prescribing, Health Systems and Services, Manila

Purpose of the consultancy

The consultant will support improving linkage between health systems and social and cultural factors beyond health sector, by taking a life course approach, focusing on building evidence, providing technical support to Member States and sharing knowledge by creating technical information products.

Background

In the Western Pacific Region, it is becoming ever more imperative to ensure coordinated health, long-term care, and social services are readily available and accessible within the community. Social prescribing emerges as a pivotal approach, linking patients with community services to address underlying health issues comprehensively (World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, 2022). It shifts the focus from merely treating symptoms to embracing holistic well-being care, seamlessly integrating community-based support and curbing medicalization. Although specifics may differ, social prescriptions typically encompass mental health, social inclusion, financial aid services, and activities fostering physical and creative engagement. Adaptable in its execution, social prescribing tailors to diverse community and care contexts, offering personalised plans through dedicated link workers or healthcare providers (WHO, 2022). This strategy nurtures holistic health enhancement by tackling social determinants and championing integrated care models.

The UK National Academy for Social Prescribing underscores the significant impact of social prescribing, which encompasses community-based arts on prescription, on well-being and self-efficacy (Social Prescribing Academy, n.d.). Social prescribing has shown promising outcomes, including cost-effectiveness, reduced general practitioner consultations, and heightened well-being and self-efficacy, thus alleviating strain on community nursing and mental health services (Social Prescribing Academy, n.d.). An anthropological and behavioural comprehension of local context proves pivotal in crafting interventions for public health efficacy and forging connections between health systems and the community, extending beyond the health sector for integrated, people-centered primary healthcare.

This consultancy aims to bolster countries in the Western Pacific Region in enhancing integrated PHC service delivery by integrating anthropological approaches into public health planning and interventions

Deliverables

Output 1: Provide support in building evidence base for the development of policies, strategies, guidelines, toolkits, and other related initiatives.
Deliverable 1.1: Support MCQ and other collaborating units to collect, analyze, and disseminate social and health data based on the specific requirements of Member States – focusing on improving linkage between health service delivery and factors beyond health sector (eg. social determinants of health, social drivers, social capital, etc.)
Deliverable 1.2: Support collaboration with academic partners by drafting study proposals, providing technical input, and managing research initiatives to contribute to evidence-based policies and programmes to improve linkage between health service delivery and factors beyond health sector (eg. social determinants of health, social drivers, social capital, social prescribing)
Deliverable 1.3: Assist with publication in peer-reviewed academic journals to disseminate new research findings to key stakeholders, policy makers and the public by drafting, editing, and submission of manuscripts.
Deliverable 1.4: Assist with creating WHO technical products (guidance, framework, action plan, toolkit etc.) by supporting with conceptualization, planning and execution.
Deliverable 1.5: Assist in the organization and execution of internal and external meetings, webinars, workshops, and trainings for the MCQ and other collaborating units by providing technical input for concept notes, agendas, meeting reports, and other relevant materials.
Deliverable 1.6: Contribute to the development of regional strategy and case study evidence from member states on cultural and behavioural approaches to public health design and implementation.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master’s) in public health, nursing, medicine, anthropology, relevant health, or social sciences.

Experience

Essential: Minimum 7 years of work experience in public health and/or academic research in relevant public health topic or population ageing.
Desirable: International experience within WHO or other UN Organizations at multiple geographical locations.
Demonstrated experience in evidence generation and knowledge sharing for public health (e.g. academic articles, presentation at international conferences, field projects).
Experience in producing technical reports, frameworks, action plans at WHO or other UN organizations.
Experience in leading and conducting research studies, publishing academic articles in peer-reviewed journals as a first author.
Experience in editing academic publications.

Skills/Knowledge

Outstanding ability to understand and support health promotion, noncommunicable diseases and population ageing case studies or research
Demonstrated project management skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Good knowledge of the dynamics of the international public health work
Ability to plan, design and implement a systematic approach to problem solving
Ability to provide technical support to countries
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

Languages and level required

Essential: Expert knowledge of English (Read – Write – Speak)
Desirable: Expert knowledge of other UN language (Read – Write – Speak)

Location

Off site: Home-based

Travel

The Consultant is expected to undertake any travel (mission) as part of this assignment for the following purposes:

• Qualitative data collection for case studies on cultural and behavioural approaches to public health design and implementation
• Participation in a conference/meeting on social prescribing

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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