Reference: WPRO/2020-05/DSI-DIA/TN192005 Beneficiary country(ies): Philippines Registration level: Basic Published on: 24-Apr-2020
Deadline on: 15-May-2020 15:00 (GMT 8.00) Beijing, Perth, Singapore, Hong Kong
Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has unleashed an unprecedented wave of creativity and collaboration. This wave of innovation – and the potential lessons being learned – risk being lost to history if there is no systematic approach or effort to capture what was done, and what is still being done. Despite the ever-increasing wealth of information regarding innovative products, services, approaches, and policies, evidence (and its translation into action) is still lacking given that many efforts are unprecedented, untested, iterative, and implemented in ways that prioritize practicality over scientific integrity.
Furthermore, many such innovations are inevitably context-dependent, at different levels of maturity, and pose challenges surrounding privacy and civil liberties. Research efforts must therefore be carefully crafted in order to produce the right kinds of knowledge asset for the right kind of stakeholder. The curation of such knowledge and its translation into relevant innovative solutions would better support Member States in identifying and adopting new options to address and inform strategic priorities.
Purpose/Specific Objective of the Activity
To ensure innovations being deployed as part of country response are collected and collated to inform country prioritization, strategic research priorities and innovation agendas, and provide options for future preparedness, surveillance, and response.
Method(s) to carry out the activity
Output 1: Regional COVID -19 innovation strategy and workplan
Deliverables
- Write regional innovation strategy to be used as business case.
- Finalise the work plan for a 12-month period (work break down, structure, scope and deliverables, costs).
- Oversee the execution of the projects within workplan.
- Identify KPIs and monitor the progress of the project and make adjustments as necessary to ensure the successful completion of the project.
- Engage and support at least 20% of country offices within the Region in their innovation journey.
- Review the quality of the work completed with the project team on a regular basis to ensure that it meets the project standards; including holding weekly meetings.
- Responsible for engaging donors, country offices, staff throughout the region, and partners in the process.
- Develop collaboration and communication mechanism with the WPRO research groups on research agenda-setting and prioritization.
Output 2: Ensure the development of a regional innovation inventory to enable the collection and classification of COVID-19-related innovations
Deliverables
- Oversee development of an on-line platform to support the collection and classification of COVID-19-related innovations.
- Oversee the development of a classification scheme and evidence hierarchy for COVID-19-related innovations.
- Oversee the development of criteria for prioritizing pilot research studies.
- Develop feedback loop during and post review of innovations.
Output 3: Ensure innovations have sufficient evidence to be scaled
Deliverables
- Establish innovation review committee for pre-pilot and post-pilot of innovations. Along with review committee, review and rank evidence from pilots.
- Disseminate knowledge of COVID-19-related innovations.
- Support scaling efforts.
Output 4: Ongoing support to Member States and countries across the Western Pacific Region on COVID-19 innovations
Deliverables
- Responsible for the development of regional and country summaries detailing background and options for COVID-19 innovations.
Education/Qualifications
University degree in biomedical engineering or similar discipline.
Desirable: Master’s degree or above degree in biomedical engineering or related studies.
Experience
At least seven years’ experience in positions in public health and/or health research including some experience within an international context. Experience with WHO prequalification or home countries regulatory bodies. Experience in innovation lifecycle. Experience in business training and strategy development.
Technical skills and knowledge
Strong science background. Strong IT skills. Strong people and communication skills (oral and written). Good management and coordination skills. Ability to complete tasks in the given time frame
Languages
Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English is essential. Working knowledge of other UN languages is an advantage
Additional information:
WHO will review all the proposals and take the best proposal, based on the prevailing industry rates
Competencies
- Producing results
- Communication
- Moving forward in a changing environment
- Fostering integration and teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Please submit following documents to the Supply Officer (WPRO) at ********** by 15 May 2020. (Subject: Tender Notice 192005)
- Expression of interest (cover letter)
- Proposed fee and timelines
- Portfolio and samples of work
- WHO personal history form or CV
- Please note that the application may be closed before the indicated closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received
- Only the successful candidates will be contacted
