Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the relevance of science and evidence-based public health measures for people's lives during a health emergency. The public's adherence to such recommendations depends on various factors including whether they trust the information and its source, whether they understand the recommendation and perceive it as relevant and meaningful and whether they can act on it.
In a collective effort, various stakeholders engaged in innovative science communication activities. Researchers were also requested at an unprecedented scale to communicate their results to different audiences, often without training or resources.
To support researchers, policy makers and practitioners in the effective translation of science and evidence-based measures during health emergencies, World Health Organization is (WHO) is seeking to partner with organizations that specialize in building and translating evidence, to develop resources facilitating evidence-to-action in pandemics and other health emergencies.
The WHO Information Network for Epidemics (EPI-WIN) seeks to give everyone access to timely, accurate, and easy-to-understand advice and information from trusted sources on public health events and outbreaks. Its science translation team provides tools to facilitate science communication and evidence-informed decision-making. These include EPI-WIN updates and webinars, an online compilation of innovative science communication concepts and a field manual with tips on conveying evidence-informed science to communities as a researcher, media professional, policy maker or healthcare professional.
Objective
To develop a training module for a short 2-hour, in-person skills-building workshop for using evidence for science translation during public health emergencies.
Deliverables:
1. Training module for a two-hour skills-building workshop, including materials that may be needed such as powerpoint presentations, that covers:
- importance of evidence use in the formulation of public health measures and recommendations during health emergencies, and types of evidence
- best practices in science translation for researchers, policy makers and practitioners
- how to address the challenges encountered in science translation during health emergencies using available resources and innovative concepts
- How to communicate evidence-informed science in health emergencies, including
- Addressing the uncertainty, evolving evidence
- Identifying credible health sources
- Ensuring transparency, building trust
2. Support in delivering the skills-building workshop
Qualification
- Strong background in global advocacy for evidence-informed health and health care.
- Substantial experience in evidence syntheses to answer priority questions on COVID-19 and other public health emergencies, including rapid and living systematic reviews.
- Experience of developing knowledge translation resources.
- Language: Expert knowledge of English is required.
Time Frame: 1 October 2022 – 15 December 2022
Place of assignment
The training modules can be completed remotely.
Travel
Travel is needed for the workshop
Compensation
Payment will be commensurate with experience of the service provider/team.
Application procedure
Interested organizations and applicants should send an email to epi-win@who.int by 19 September 18:00 CET. Please indicate the project name in the subject line of your email.
Applicants are kindly requested to include the following information in their application:
- A cover letter describing their motivation for application and highlighting any specific skill or experience relevant,
- CVs of all team members,
- A cost estimate and proposed work plan including timeline.