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Qualifications

Consultant - WHO European Well-being Economy Initiative 

Purpose of consultancy The consultancy aims to establish a Well-being Economy Pilot Innovation Site in Friuli Venezia Giulia to foster innovation, co-production, and knowledge exchange. A Well-being Economy Pilot Innovation Site is a designed area supported to implement and utilize  innovative policies, tools, and methods. It will work in collaboration with WHO’s Venice Office to capture learning and measure impact, making these insights accessible to others for scaling up and adaptation across the  European Region. This process will involve active dialogue with the local population and stakeholders. The pilot site will also support the development of a Well-being Economy Lab in Friuli Venezia Giulia. The Lab will focus on studying the rules of social phenomena in the region to propose tangible  solutions for implementing policies and interventions that promote well-being and health equity.  Key considerations will include demographic, economic, environmental, and social trends such as population aging, mental health challenges, urban-rural divides, the rising cost of living, and climate change.   The consultant will be responsible for delivering key tasks essential for the successful set up of the first year. 

Background  The WHO European Well-being Economy Initiative is led by WHO’s Venice Office for Investment for Health and Development. The initiative supports governments at local and national level in implementing policies and interventions that advance  well-being and health equity. It also  includes support to revenue generation and shape spending to promote  healthy transitions and achieve positive economic and social impacts.    The initiative encompasses the development of  new evidence, metrics, best practices, knowledge exchange platforms, pilot innovation sites, and across sectors alliances to address challenges posed by demographic, economic, environmental, and social trends. These include ageing populations, worsening mental health, urban-rural divides, rising living cost, and climate change.  The well-being Economy Initiative builds on the Venice Office’s extensive track record  in promoting health, reducing inequalities, and leveraging strong policy networks such as the Regions for Health Network (RHN), Small Countries Initiatives,  and Healthy Cities initiatives.   The vision is for Friuli Venezia Giulia to be a leader in embedding well-being and health equity across  all regional activities within the public and private sector. By embedding these principles, the region aims to deliver value for well-being through all policies and investments, facilitating  a transition towards health and well-being for all amidst significant demographic shifts, including an ageing population.   Aims of the pilot:  * Embed the routine use of well-being, health, social, economic, demographic, and population needs and views data, evidence, and modelling as part of policy and investment decision-making * Co-produce sustainable solutions with communities, universities, businesses, civil society, experts and disadvantaged groups, building on regional assets and WHO Well-being Economy resources   * Share knowledge and best practice with other regions and settings to accelerate action and adaptation  * Increase understanding of the potential of well-being economy approaches * Identify opportunities to mobilize additional resources and shape investment for sustainable impact and cross-sector benefits, within the region and beyond 

Deliverables Deliverable 1  * Scope well-being survey; analysis and modelling of health, social, economic and demographic context, inequities & assets * Develop project proposal for 1 well-being economy pilot project to be initiated by FVG on a thematic priority: e.g. healthy ageing   Deliverable 2  * Develop stakeholder map and routes for involvement * Revised scope of well-being survey after engaging with local stakeholders * Draft scope of modelling   Deliverable 3  * Deliver first workshop or webinar with local stakeholders * Draft asset map   Deliverable 4  * Develop longlist of policy and investment options * Devise initial communications materials   Deliverable 5  * Finalize asset map and routes for involvement   Deliverable 6  * Ensure smooth delivery of well-being survey  * Ensure smooth delivery of modelling   Deliverable 7  * First draft of survey and analysis report    Deliverable 8  * Ensure smooth delivery of well-being modelling.    Deliverable 9 * Provide local consultation on report    Deliverable 10  * Develop proposals for pilot projects   Deliverable 11  * Finalize survey and analysis report, including scenarios based on impacts on well-being and sustainability indicators, as well as the costs and benefits of interventions * Prepare a shortlist of prioritised policy and investment options derived from local and international innovations * Present the shortlist and final report to key stakeholders in Friuli Venezia Giulia

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages: Educational Qualifications:    Essential:  First university (Bachelor’s) degree in public health, economics, or a related field Desirable:  Advanced degree (Master’s and/or PhD) in public health, economics, or a related field   Experience:  Essential:  A minimum of  5 years of experience in health or economy, including progressive policy or research within  relevant field Demonstrated  experience in partnership development and policy-making within a subnational context   Desirable: Experience in implementing well-being economy approaches within  a subnational context to achieve population-level impact.  Proven ability to conduct high-level negotiations to build engagement for well-being economy policies, governance approaches and interventions   Skills/Knowledge:  Essential: * In-depth knowledge of current evidence and policy issues in the fields of well-being economy and health equity * Proven project management skills, including the ability to lead a project of this nature and navigate ambiguity while driving activities under remote supervision * Expertise in knowledge mobilization from the international context for local impact by working across networks of experts, cities, regions, and countries to apply learning from evidence and practice * Proficiency in both qualitative and quantitative research, with a demonstrated track record in producing evidence reviews, reports, and analysis for health social and economic policy-makers, and institutions; * Excellent written and communication skills in English.   Desirable: * Familiarity with the  novel approaches to designing investments * Experience working across a range of sectors and engaging with diverse  populations * Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to form partnerships for action and effectively identify and capitalize on opportunities    Languages and level required: Essential: Expert knowledge of English    Desirable: Expert knowledge of Italian   Location: Consultancy services may be required for home-based work and/or on-site with travel for in-country missions with travel to Trieste and Venice, Italy   Travel: The consultant may be expected to travel, as determined by funding availability at WHO and/or the specific work requested   Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):