Consultant – Climate Change and Health Project in Kiribati and Fiji

Purpose of consultancy

Within the context of the Climate Change, the Environment, and Health (CCE) Thematic Priority of For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region, and guided by the Pacific Islands Action Plan on Climate Change and Health, WHO Cooperation Strategy and the WHO’s General Programme of Work (GPW), the purpose of this work is to provide the technical and scientific guidance on climate change and environmental health for the WHO Office in Kiribati and Fiji in coordination with the WHO Liaison Officer for Kiribati and Team Coordinator, Pacific Climate Change and Environment (PCE), Division of Pacific Technical Support, WHO-WPRO.

More specifically, the consultant will coordinate, and provide guidance on the implementation of climate change and environmental health projects in Kiribati and Fiji to be aligned to the pillars of the CCE thematic priority the WPRO Framework for Action on Health and Environment on a Changing Planet, and the Pacific Islands Action Plan on Climate Change and Health.

Background

Kiribati and Fiji are two of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the health impacts of climate variability and change. Climate change threatens not only the health and well-being of the nation but its very existence. The combination of exposure to climatic hazards, limited capacity of the health system, including inadequate basic infrastructure such as communication, water and sanitation and electricity, human resources, and supplies, as well as communities that are remote and hard to reach provide significant challenges in reducing climate change-related morbidity and mortality. Without substantial and proactive investment in adaptation in the health sector and community-levels, the current and projected climatic changes will result in increased health risks through direct and indirect pathways.

In the Pacific, the following projects have been approved in building resilience in health systems:

1. KOICA-funded project on Strengthening Health Adaptation Project: Responding to Climate Change in Fiji (KOICA SHAPE)
2. KOICA-funded project on Making Health Adaptation for the Future Resilient Islands – Kiribati Outer Islands Climate Health Action (Te-MaMAURI KOICA)

These two projects are designed to strengthen climate change adaptation in Fiji and Kiribati and protect people’s health from the impacts of climate change. The consultant will be based in Suva and will provide technical advice on the two-project implementation in coordination with WHO offices, the MoHMS of Fiji and Kiribati and the KOICA Fiji office.

Deliverables

The consultant will provide technical guidance and expert advice on the implementation of the two KOICA-funded projects in Fiji and Kiribati. The work to be undertaken is as follows:

(1) Activity 1 (~100 days): Provide guidance to the implementation of Kiribati Te Mamauri and Fiji SHAPE project.

(2) Activity 2 (~120 days): Provide technical inputs and expert advice for specific project activities.

Method(s) to carry out the activity

Output 1: Provide technical guidance and expert advice for the effective implementation of Kiribati and Fiji projects
Deliverable 1.1: Engage with local and regional partners, MoH/MHMS and donors to promote collaboration for strengthening Health Adaptation Project and Responding to Climate Change.
Deliverable 1.2: Develop a framework and standard operating procedure for the implementation of the National Climate Change and Health Action Plans / Policies towards building climate resilience in healthcare facilities.

Output 2: Evaluate and assess the progress of project and conduct capacity building activitiesin coordination with key stakeholders.
Deliverable 2.1: Monitor the progress of the projects, identify gaps and possible challenges
Deliverable 2.2: Lead Training workshop for stakeholders and national capacities on implementation of projects.
Deliverable 2.3: Conduct Scoping assessment for integrated surveillance/health information systems for the development of climate-informed early warning systems.
Deliverable 2.4: Develop CHIVA reports for identified healthcare facilities, schools, and communities.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Master’s degree in environmental health or epidemiology, with a focus on climate change and health.

Experience

Essential: Over ten years work experience in climate change and health impacts and adaptation in the context of Pacific island countries.
• Scientific and technical work experience with Pacific island countries in the fields of climate change and health, environmental health especially in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene in healthcare facilities, climate sensitive diseases, and interventions in building climate resilience healthcare facilities.
• International experience is mandatory for international consultants.

Desirable: Prior experience of working with KOICA projects to ensure the candidate is familiar with the Korean Government systems and specifically familiar with KOICA administrative systems.
• Experience in programme/project planning, management and successful delivery of complex cross functional or interdependent projects.
• Experience in managing complex projects within a UN and health context.
• Experience in change management, quality assurance, and communications.
• Experience in management of climate change projects.
• Experience in Budget and Finance. Work experience with Pacific island countries.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential: Advanced knowledge of climate change and health literature, including impacts and adaptation in the context of Pacific Island countries
• Proven skills in technical report writing and policy analysis, specifically related to climate change and health projects in the context of Pacific island countries
• Proven ability to conduct assessments related to climate change and/or environmental health in low-resource contexts
• Ability to work remotely with minimal supervision
• Ability to work effectively with a team
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Computer literacy including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as telecommunication platforms.

Languages and level required

Essential: Excellent command of English (spoken and written)
Desirable: Intermediate level of Korean

Location

On site: DPS, Suva/Fiji and CLO/Kiribati

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration: Band level C, USD 10,000/month
Expected duration of contract: 11 months

Additional Information :

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