Consultant - Noncommunicable Diseases and Ageing, WHO/WPRO
World Health Organization (WHO)
WP/DSI Data Strategy and Innovation
Consultancy Close on 1 Mar 2026
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The consultant will support implementation of the WHO/WPRO–Kanagawa Prefecture– ME-BYO Global Strategic Center collaboration. Specifically, the role will: (1) serve as a liaison and coordination hub with Japanese counterparts (Kanagawa Prefecture and the Association), (2) facilitate knowledge exchange and research collaboration with domestic research institutions and WHO Collaborating Centres, and (3) coordinate planning and delivery of meetings, visits and events in Japan.
The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) and Kanagawa Prefecture, together with the Association for ME-BYO Global Strategic Center, have launched a collaboration on population ageing and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) to: (i) identify priority gaps, (ii) generate multidisciplinary evidence, and (iii) translate findings into practical policy options and pilots in the Western Pacific. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) sets a governance cadence such as regular joint meetings and an annual high-level review and a jointly agreed work programme.
Following the MoU, WHO/WPRO and the Association will conclude a donor (contribution) agreement to operationalize the collaboration, including financing, deliverables, reporting and visibility. Within this framework, a Japan-based liaison is needed to coordinate among the Association, Kanagawa Prefecture and WHO/WPRO, support meetings and events, and facilitate research-to-policy translation.
Output 1 — Coordination with Japanese counterparts (Kanagawa Prefecture / the Association)
• Deliverable 1.1: Set up and support regular/ad-hoc communications and meetings (draft agendas, meeting notes, action lists).
• Deliverable 1.2: Track tri-party agreements and action items.
• Deliverable 1.3: First-line coordination for external announcements (basic JP-EN alignment; arrange checks on logo/credit/citation rules).
Output 2 — Facilitation of research collaboration and knowledge exchange (domestic institutions)
• Deliverable 2.1: Map and shortlist potential academic/research partners in Japan (universities, WHO-CCs, public research institutes, think tanks) aligned with the MoU pillars.
• Deliverable 2.2: Curate promising research examples/ideas and prepare short concept notes.
• Deliverable 2.3: Prepare tailored presentations with potential academic partners (JP/EN as needed), set up meetings with shortlisted partners and document outcomes.
• Deliverable 2.4: Convene thematic workshops with shortlisted academic partners to co-develop proposals/ pilots and produce brief workshop reports.
• Deliverable 2.5: Support knowledge-sharing (e.g., seminars/webinars) and produce short post-event summaries.
Output 3 — Explore new collaboration with donors (sponsors) and corporate engagement
• Deliverable 3.1: Identify a sponsor pipeline (contact points, alignment rationale, potential financial/in-kind support) from the ME-BYO consortium membership and other aligned networks.
• Deliverable 3.2: Create sponsor-facing materials (JP/EN) and an outreach plan coordinated with ME-BYO global strategy center and WPRO/DSI.
• Deliverable 3.3: Produce and circulate a corporate newsletter/briefing (JP/EN) to ME-BYO cetnter’s members.
• Deliverable 3.4: Organize bilateral sponsor meetings and secure speaking/briefing slots at Association/Prefecture/ME-BYO forums and document outcomes and next actions.
• Deliverable 3.5: Maintain a sponsor engagement tracker and prepare handover notes for prospects ready for formal follow-up by WPRO.
Output 4 — Progress tracking and reporting support
• Deliverable 4.1: Monthly activity log (1–2 pages) summarizing key interactions, issues/risks, and the next month’s plan.
• Deliverable 4.2: Inputs for quarterly/annual reporting (event metrics, research progress, highlights).
Essential: University degree in public health, medicine, administration, international relations, political/social sciences or related field from a recognized university
Desirable: Advanced university degree or PhD in related field from a recognized university
Essential: Minimum of 5 years of hands-on coordination experience with government, academia, public interest corporations, or the private sector at international level.
Desirable: Experience in healthy ageing/NCDs, brokering academic collaborations in research, corporate/donor engagement, and event operations.
• Demonstrated knowledge of healthy ageing and NCD prevention/management, especially in the Western Pacific context
• Ability to develop clear workplans, concept notes, and proposals with timelines, roles, and outputs.
• Bilingual working capability (JP/EN) for meeting notes, short briefs, slides; basic translation/summary.
• Ability to build harmonious working relationships in diverse, multi-sector teams; adapt to different educational/cultural backgrounds; maintain a high standard of personal conduct
• Proficient in standard MS Office software applications; and
• Strong presentation skills
• Fluent in written and spoken English
• Native Japanese language is essential
• The Consultant will be working remotely.
• The Consultant is expected to participate in teleconference meetings and provide frequent updates on work progress to the team.
The Consultant is expected to undertake any travel (mission) as part of this assignment.
Remuneration: Payband level A, USD 4,000 - USD 4,500 (monthly, part-time 50% FTE)
Duration: 10 months, March to December 2026
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