Call for applicants for 1st WHO training on the urban health capacity assessment and response resource kit

Overview

The World Health Organization (WHO) is accepting applications for the first WHO training on the Urban Health Capacity Assessment and Response Resource Kit.

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) is offering an online training course on the use of the Urban health capacities assessment and response resource kit. Urban health refers to the health of urban dwellers and to the wholistic and intersectoral way of working in urban environments that positively influences health. The Kit equips policymakers and practitioners in any sector with the skills and knowledge necessary to assess and strengthen capacities to work collaboratively across sectors to achieve urban goals that in a way that benefits health.

Rapid urbanization, climate change, and socio-economic inequities, among others pose challenges to urban health. The Resource Kit helps multi-sectoral teams identify strengths and gaps in their capacities and develop response strategies that enhance health and wellbeing in urban settings. Ultimately, if you are trying to improve urban contexts by influencing change in transportation, urban planning, governance, basic service provision, food systems, or any other area that affects human health, the Resource Kit can help. It guides you to clarify the capacities you have and need, how to mitigate any gaps and leverage capacity assets to ultimately achieve your urban goal.

This training is aimed at either cross-sectoral teams of urban practitioners (3–4 members from at least two different sectors, with shared urban health goals) or experienced individual facilitators skilled in multi-sectoral urban health processes with strong local government connections. The training will guide participants through practical applications of the Resource kit, case studies, and collaborative exercises to develop strategic responses for their cities.  

Objectives of the training:

1. Primary:

• Develop awareness of cross-disciplinary capacities needed for urban health action and policy-making, including data analysis, policy coherence, community engagement and financing strategies

2. Specific:

• Build a cohort of professionals skilled in applying the Urban health capacities assessment and response resource kit
• Strengthen participants’ ability to identify, assess, and address urban health challenges through a capacity-based approach
• Foster collaboration among professionals working in urban health and facilitate peer-to-peer learning. 

The training will cover key aspects of urban health capacities, including:

• Informed decision-making, monitoring, and evaluation: Using evidence and data to support urban health policies.
• Policy coherence and multi-sectoral governance: Strengthening governance structures and fostering collaboration across sectors.
• Sustainable financing and resource mobilization: Identifying funding mechanisms and strategic investments for urban health.
• Partnerships and participation: Engaging partners and stakeholders in urban health initiatives.

Target competencies, participants will develop the ability to: 

• Conduct urban health capacity assessments using the Resource Kit.
• Identify critical capacity gaps and strengths in urban systems.
• Develop actionable response strategies tailored to local contexts.
• Work across sectors to solve challenges affecting urban health
• Apply participatory processes to enhance urban governance.
• Integrate health equity considerations into urban health policies and interventions.

Format and commitment:

• Duration of contact time:  4 sessions, 1.5 hour each
• Off-line preparation and completion of assignments: 4 hours
• Delivery: Online via Zoom, including expert presentations, breakout discussions, and interactive exercises.
• Participation: Active involvement in 100% of sessions and completion of assignments
• Certification: Participants who meet attendance and engagement requirements will receive a certificate of completion.

Online training over 4 weeks on 13, 20, 27 June and 4 July 2025.

Webinar Duration: 4 online sessions, 1.5 hour each (over four consecutive weeks), requiring 4 hours of additional off-line preparation.  

Target Audience:

• Teams: Cross-sectoral team of urban practitioners
  The applications should come from a team composed of 3 – 4 individuals. These individuals should have identified a common urban health goal. They should be from at least 2 different sectors (built environment and infrastructure, health and social services, environment and climate resilience, safety and security, food systems and nutrition, economy and employment, etc.). They can be from public or private institutions such as local or national government agencies or civil society organizations.
• Individuals: Facilitators of intersectoral processes
  The applicant should be an experienced facilitator of multi-sectoral processes, such as joint planning exercises, stakeholder dialogues, or inter-agency collaborations. They should have a close working relationship with a local government. They can work within local government, academia, a private or civil society organization that has as its primary aim to improve urban living conditions and health.

Eligibility criteria: 

a. Professionals working in the following areas: 

• Policy-making (in public health or any fields related to urban health)
• City practitioners influencing urban change in public health or diverse fields influencing urban health (e.g., transport and mobility, housing and real estate development, infrastructure and services, economy and livelihoods, security and justice, etc.) 

b. Applicants should have: 

• At least 5+ years of experience in their field of work or 3+ years and an advanced degree
• Should have a bachelor’s level university degree
• Experience working in multi-sectoral settings and facilitating multi-sectoral processes
• Demonstrated interest or experience in urban health and capacity building
• Excellent command of the English language

c. If applying as a Team: 

• Preference will be given to teams. To qualify as a ‘team’ the group should be composed of 3-4 individuals that meet the above criteria and are from at least two different sectors (e.g., public health and transportation) or organizations (e.g., civil society and local government).

Application process

1. Letter of interest (max 500 words) outlining relevant experience and motivation for participation
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Personal video statement (max 5 minutes) responding to the following:
   • Why do you want to participate in this training and apply the Urban health capacities assessment and response resource kit?
   • Answer two of the following scenario-based questions
     1. Describe an urban health multisectoral project you’ve worked on. What was the project’s objective, who was involved and how was it implemented?
     2. Describe a challenge in facilitating or coordinating a multi-sectoral project you’ve encountered in the past and how you have addressed it. What was the challenge, who was involved and how was it resolved?
     3. Describe your strengths and skills as they relate to the objectives of this training. What skills do you see as critical do be able to conduct an urban health capacities assessment and response exercise? How did you develop those skills and what are examples of instances you have used them in the past?

Submission instructions

Send your application (letter of interest, CV and video statement) to: urbanhealth@who.int cc. obandof@who.int with the subject line should read: “Urban health capacities Training Application” by 17 May 2025.

 Additional information:

• Participation in the training is free
• The working language of the training is English.
• Women and professionals from low-and middle-income countries are especially encouraged to apply. 

For further inquiries, please contact Francisco Obando at: obandof@who.int

Official Announcement: WHO