The World Health Organization (WHO) is seeking experts to serve as members of the Technical Advisory Group on Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control in the Western Pacific Region (NCD TAG WPR). This “Call for Experts” provides information about the advisory group in question, the expert profiles being sought, the process to express interest, and the process of selection.
Background
The Western Pacific Region bears a disproportionate burden from NCDs. One quarter of global NCD deaths occurs in this Region, and the proportion of deaths due to NCDs is projected to increase further in the future. NCDs are, in fact, the leading causes of death and disability in the Region. Progress towards Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4 to reduce premature NCD mortality by one third by 2030 is markedly different across countries in the Western Pacific. Currently, only three countries are likely to meet the 2030 objective.
NCDs place significant pressure on health systems and services, and on society as a whole: disease, direct health expenditures and foregone economic activity due to NCDs represent a huge burden on national economies and the social fabrics of our communities. Investing in NCD prevention and control offers long-term benefits that positively impact population health, productivity, healthcare costs, and the overall well-being of societies.
Many NCDs can be prevented by addressing their leading risk factors: tobacco use, alcohol use, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity. The impact of these risk factors is particularly pronounced in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), mirroring the higher rates of premature mortality from NCDs observed in these countries across the region. Implementing the evidence-based NCD prevention policies outlined in the WHO “Best Buys” and addressing the social determinants of health are fundamental to tackle NCDs and reduce inequities in health. Unfortunately, progress in taking action on these fronts has been limited.
In 2019, the WHO-WPRO developed its cornerstone vision “For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region”, a document that identifies and prioritizes current and future actions along with new approaches to tackling health challenges. The vision calls for an integrated and systematic approach to tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs).
In October 2022, Member States in the Western Pacific Region adopted the Regional Action Framework for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control (NCD RAF) at the Seventy-third session of the Regional Committee for the Western Pacific. Member States committed to implementing the five objectives in the NCD RAF— Strengthening data mechanism for policy development; implementing policies to enable health-promoting environment; screening for major NCDs; integrating NCD prevention and control into primary health care; and empowering individuals for self-management.
To bolster the NCD agenda within the strategic vision of "For the Future" and facilitate the effective implementation of the NCD RAF, the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific will establish a Technical Advisory Group (TAG). This TAG will focus on critical areas related to NCD prevention and control, extending its engagement beyond the health sector by involving experts from diverse fields.
The TAG will provide valuable insights, expertise, and guidance to strengthen the regional efforts in addressing NCDs. By incorporating experts from various sectors, such as public health, policy, academia, economics, and civil society, the TAG aims to foster a multidisciplinary approach to tackling the complex challenges posed by NCDs.
Functions of the Technical Advisory Group on Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control in the Western Pacific Region (NCD TAG WPR)
In its capacity as an advisory body to WHO, the NCD TAG WPR shall have the following functions:
- To advise WPRO on technical issues and provide recommendations based on the four thematic priorities of the Region using the operational shift of taking systems approach in addressing NCDs;
- To support WPRO in the implementation of the Regional Action Framework for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control in the Western Pacific;
- To advise on specific topics related to NCD prevention and control, such as multi-sectoral engagement, investment in NCD prevention and health promotion, integration of NCDs in UHC and primary health care, and innovative and “leapfrog” interventions to reverse the trends of NCDs;
- To analyse country progress and identify good practices, shared challenges and lessons learned in relation to NCDs;
- To make recommendations in relation to NCD prevention and management in the Region, with specific focus on Country level actions considering their different contexts and to provide country-specific technical support per request;
- To support WPRO in raising the profile of NCD prevention and control in the Region, and their critical role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and
- If recommended by the WPRO Secretariat, to engage in other regional TAGs and technical meetings based on expertise to harmonize NCD-related recommendations.
Operations of the Technical Advisory Group on Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control in the Western Pacific Region (NCD TAG WPR)
- The NCD TAG shall normally meet once each year. However, WHO may convene additional meetings. NCD TAG meetings may be held in person (at WHO headquarters in Geneva or another location, as determined by WHO) or virtually, via video or teleconference.
NCD TAG meetings may be held in open and/or closed session, as decided by the Chairperson in consultation with WHO.
(a) Open sessions: Open sessions shall be convened for the sole purpose of the exchange of non-confidential information and views, and may be attended by Observers (as defined in paragraph III.3 below).
(b) Closed sessions: The sessions dealing with the formulation of recommendations and/or advice to WHO shall be restricted to the members of the NCD TAG and essential WHO Secretariat staff. - The quorum for NCD TAG meetings shall be two thirds of the members.
- WHO may, at its sole discretion, invite external individuals from time to time to attend the open sessions of an advisory group, or parts thereof, as “observers”. Observers may be invited either in their personal capacity, or as representatives from a governmental institution / intergovernmental organization, or from a non-State actor. WHO will request observers invited in their personal capacity to complete a confidentiality undertaking and a declaration of interests form prior to attending a session of the advisory group. Invitations to observers attending as representatives from non-State actors will be subject to WHO internal due diligence and risk assessment including conflict of interest considerations in accordance with the Framework for engagement with non-State actors (FENSA). Observers invited as representatives may also be requested to complete a confidentiality undertaking. Observers shall normally attend meetings of the NCD TAG at their own expense and be responsible for making all arrangements in that regard.
At the invitation of the Chairperson, observers may be asked to present their personal views and/or the policies of their organization. Observers will not participate in the process of adopting recommendations of the NCD TAG.
- The NCD TAG may decide to establish smaller working groups (sub-groups of the NCD TAG) to work on specific issues. Their deliberations shall take place via teleconference or video-conference. For these sub-groups, no quorum requirement will apply; the outcome of their deliberations will be submitted to the NCD TAG for review at one of its meetings.
- NCD TG members are expected to attend meetings. If a member misses two consecutive meetings, WHO may end his/her appointment as a member of the NCD TAG.
- Reports of each meeting shall be submitted by the NCD TAG to WHO. All recommendations from the NCD TAG are advisory to WHO, who retains full control over any subsequent decisions or actions regarding any proposals, policy issues or other matters considered by the NCD TAG.
- The NCD TAG shall normally make recommendations by consensus. If, in exceptional circumstances, a consensus on a particular issue cannot be reached, minority opinions will be reflected in the meeting report.
- Active participation is expected from all NCD TAG members, including in working groups, teleconferences, and interaction over email. NCD TAG members may, in advance of NCD TAG meetings, be requested to review meeting materials and to provide their views for consideration by the NCD TAG.
- WHO shall determine the modes of communication by the NCD TAG, including between WHO and the NCD TAG members, and the NCD TAG members among themselves.
- NCD TAG members shall not speak on behalf of, or represent, the NCD TAG or WHO to any third party.
Who can express interest?
The Technical Advisory Group on Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control in the Western Pacific Region (NCD TAG WPR) will be multidisciplinary, with members who have a range of technical knowledge, skills and experience relevant to Noncommunicable Diseases. Between 10-12 members may be selected.
WHO welcomes expressions of interest from individuals with one or more of the following expertise:
- Systems Thinking and Approaches: Bringing a unique perspective to NCD prevention and control efforts, this expertise lies in understanding and addressing the complex interplay of factors within the healthcare system and the broader context in which NCDs occur. By considering the system as a whole, the expert (s) can help identify systemic barriers, leverage points, and strategies for promoting effective and sustainable NCD prevention and control interventions.
- Policy Advocacy: advocating for evidence-based policies that promote NCD prevention and control at the national, regional, and international levels. The expertise lies in navigating the policy-making process, mobilizing support, and effectively advocating for policies that address the burden of NCDs and create an enabling environment for prevention and control efforts.
- Multisectoral Engagement: fostering collaboration and coordination across multiple sectors to address the complex challenges of NCDs. Experiences in facilitating partnerships between health and non-health sectors, and engagement with civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders to develop comprehensive and integrated approaches for NCD prevention and control.
- Sustainable Financing Mechanisms: developing and implementing strategies to secure or mobilize financial resources for NCD prevention and control programs. Expertise in funding mechanisms, innovative financing options, and sustainable financial models to support NCD initiatives.
- Integration of NCD in Primary Health Care: focuses on integrating NCD prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management into primary healthcare settings and delivering care that is centered around the whole person, considering their physical, mental, and social well-being.
- Generating Data for Action: monitoring and analyzing NCD-related data to inform evidence-based decision-making and programmatic interventions. Experience in designing and implementing robust surveillance systems, conducting data analysis to identify trends and patterns, and generating actionable insights for effective NCD prevention and control strategies.
- Behavior Change for NCD Prevention and Control: focuses on designing and implementing effective behavior change interventions to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce risk factors associated with NCDs.
- Social Determinants of Health: Experience in implementing evidence-based strategies and interventions to tackle the social determinants (including commercial determinants) of health in NCD prevention and control to reduce health inequities and improve overall population health.
- Innovative Interventions: designing and implementing innovative and transformative approaches that effective address persistent challenges and accelerate progress in NCD prevention and control. Expertise in identifying and implementing cutting-edge strategies, technologies, and interventions that have the potential to leapfrog conventional practices, thereby achieving significant and rapid improvements in NCD outcomes.
Submitting your expression of interest
To register your interest in being considered for the [name of the advisory group], please submit the following documents by 1700hrs Manila time on the 8th September 2023 to okayasuhi@who.int and cc: yinx@who.int using the subject line “Expression of interest for the NCD TAG WPR”:
- A cover letter, indicating your motivation to apply and how you satisfy the selection criteria. Please note that, if selected, membership will be in a personal capacity. Therefore, do not use the letterhead or other identification of your employer);
- Your curriculum vitae;
- Accomplished summary profile of expert (See Annex 1); and
- A signed and completed Declaration of Interests (DOI) form for WHO Experts, available at https://www.who.int/about/ethics/declarations-of-interest.
After submission, your expression of interest will be reviewed by WHO. Due to an expected high volume of interest, only selected individuals will be informed.
Important information about the selection processes and conditions of appointment
Members of WHO advisory groups (AGs) must be free of any real, potential or apparent conflicts of interest. To this end, applicants are required to complete the WHO Declaration of Interests for WHO Experts, and the selection as a member of a AG is, amongst other things, dependent on WHO determining that there is no conflict of interest or that any identified conflicts could be appropriately managed (in addition to WHO’s evaluation of an applicant’s experience, expertise and motivation and other criteria).
All AG members will serve in their individual expert capacity and shall not represent any governments, any commercial industries or entities, any research, academic or civil society organizations, or any other bodies, entities, institutions or organizations. They are expected to fully comply with the Code of Conduct for WHO Experts (https://www.who.int/about/ethics/declarations-of-interest). AG members will be expected to sign and return a completed confidentiality undertaking prior to the beginning of the first meeting.
At any point during the selection process, telephone interviews may be scheduled between an applicant and the WHO Secretariat to enable WHO to ask questions relating to the applicant’s experience and expertise and/or to assess whether the applicant meets the criteria for membership in the relevant AG.
The selection of members of the AGs will be made by WHO in its sole discretion, taking into account the following (non-exclusive) criteria: relevant technical expertise; experience in international and country policy work; communication skills; and ability to work constructively with people from different cultural backgrounds and orientations .The selection of AG members will also take account of the need for diverse perspectives from different regions, especially from low and middle-income countries, and for gender balance.
If selected by WHO, proposed members will be sent an invitation letter and a Memorandum of Agreement. Appointment as a member of an AG will be subject to the proposed member returning to WHO the countersigned copy of these two documents.
WHO reserves the right to accept or reject any expression of interest , to annul the open call process and reject all expressions of interest at any time without incurring any liability to the affected applicant or applicants and without any obligation to inform the affected applicant or applicants of the grounds for WHO's action. WHO may also decide, at any time, not to proceed with the establishment of the AG, disband an existing TAG or modify the work of the AG.
WHO shall not in any way be obliged to reveal, or discuss with any applicant, how an expression of interest was assessed, or to provide any other information relating to the evaluation/selection process or to state the reasons for not choosing a member.
WHO may publish the names and a short biography of the selected individuals on the WHO internet.
AG members will not be remunerated for their services in relation to the AG or otherwise. Travel and accommodation expenses of AG members to participate in AG meetings will be covered by WHO in accordance with its applicable policies, rules and procedures.
The appointment will be limited in time as indicated in the letter of appointment.
If you have any questions about this “Call for experts”, please write to okayasuhi@who.int and cc yinx@who.int well before the applicable deadline.
serial number: 2023/July/114