National Consultant - Global Environmental Facility (GEF) project, Port Vila, Vanuatu

National Consultant - Global Environmental Facility (GEF) project, Port Vila, Vanuatu

Purpose of consultancy

In collaboration with the Vanuatu WHO Country Office, Pacific Climate Change and Environment (PCE) unit, WHO Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) office and the Vanuatu Ministry of Health (MoH), the local consultant will provide technical support in the implementation of the GEF LDCF project.

Background

The health impacts of climate change are diverse and serious, including water- and vector-borne diseases, undernutrition, and the mental and physical effects of extreme weather and climate events. Extreme weather and climate events also disrupt the delivery of health care services. Ministry of Health needs technical assistance to effectively integrate climate-related risks into policy, planning, and regulatory frames, and into interventions to control the current and project future burden of climate-sensitive health outcomes.

In consultation with stakeholders, this GEF LDCF project, “Building Resilience of Health Systems in Pacific Island Least Developed Countries to Climate Change” was designed to increase the capacity of national health systems and institutions, and sub-level actors, to manage long-term climate-sensitive health risks, through four complementary outcomes: (1) strengthening governance of health system and institutional capacities; (2) strengthening capacities of health system institutions and personnel to manage the health risks of climate change; (3) improving the coverage and quality of health services addressing climate-related diseases; and (4) enhancing south-south cooperation. The regional approach will facilitate catalytic partnerships across countries, training and capacity development of climate change and health specialists in the countries, and documentation of lessons and best practices, thereby ensuring that these can be replicated and scaled-up across the region. The project will be implemented closely between WHO, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Climate Change Adaptation, Meteorology, Geo-Hazards, Environment, Energy and Disaster Management in Vanuatu.

Deliverables

Outcome 1. Develop a detailed country-level workplan for engagement with stakeholders.

Deliverable 1.1 Work closely with WHO (PCE and country-level teams) and Ministry of Health teams to align with existing climate change and health-related strategies/plans.

Deliverable 1.2 Submission of quarterly technical report.

Deliverable 1.3 Submission of detailed quarterly and annual workplan.

Outcome 2. Coordinate the Project Management Unit (PMU) and Project Working Group (PWG) to fulfill objectives effectively and efficiently.

Deliverable 2.1 Prepare meeting documentations, meeting agendas and minutes of the PMU and PWG.

Deliverable 2.2 Conduct regular meetings of PMU and PWG.

Outcome 3. Engagement with national climate change and health technical working/advisory group (CC&H TWG)

Deliverable 3.1 Prepare meeting documentations, meeting agendas and minutes of the CC&H TWG.

Deliverable 3.2 Organise regular meetings to report on project activities (part of Outcome 1);

Outcome 4. Risk mitigation of the project

Deliverable 4.1 Report on project risks and implementation challenges.

Deliverable 4.2 Coordinate the effort of the TWG to identify solutions and address the project needs effectively

Deliverable 4.3 Report on the progress of project risk mitigation efforts.

Outcome 5. Implementation of specific project activities including but not limited to policy review and revision, awareness raising campaigns, trainings, and/or assessments.

Deliverable 5.1 Plan and implement visibility and communication activities, including a country-level launch event, press releases, project briefs, and/or other activities.

Deliverable 5.2 Establish communication channels and systems for linkages between this work and other initiatives, development partners and civil society groups.

Deliverable 5.3 Report on the progress of implementation activities.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Health Sciences, or related field

Desirable: Masters' degree in the above-mentioned area.

Experience

Essential: Must have at least 5 years of work experience and advanced knowledge of climate change and health impacts and adaptation in the context of Pacific Island countries.

Experience in undertaking evaluation/review of national policies, plans, guidance, or guidelines required.

Desirable: Work experience in the WHO Western Pacific Region including Pacific Island countries or Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is desirable.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential: Specific technical knowledge on undertaking evaluation/review of national policies/plans/guidance/guidelines; strong analytical skills, knowledge of engaging climate change and health stakeholders, leading meetings, and climate change adaptation and mitigation planning and implementation.

Languages and level required

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English.

Location

Port Vila, Vanuatu, with domestic/international duty travel as may be required.

Travel

It is required to make domestic travel to 6 provinces. Very rarely, in case the MoH requests the consultant to join an international/regional meeting, the consultant may travel.

Remuneration and budget:

Remuneration: VUV6,600,617 (11 months)

Expected duration of contract: 11 months, 25 July 2024 – 24 June 2025

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to E-Mail schreiben

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) into practice.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.

• WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at E-Mail schreiben.

• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.