Consultant - Technical Support for Tobacco Control

Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to assist the No Tobacco Unit (TFI) of the Health Promotion Department at WHO HQ with tobacco product regulation related work.

Background

The No Tobacco Unit (TFI) of the Health Promotion Department provides support to WHO Member States on tobacco control. This is achieved within the context of the Thirteenth General Programme of Work 2019−2023. One of the objectives of the WHO No Tobacco Team of the Health Promotion Department is to reduce the global burden of disease and death caused by tobacco, thereby protecting present and future generations from the devastating health, social, environmental and economic consequences of tobacco consumption and exposure to tobacco smoke. The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) is the first public health treaty negotiated under the auspices of WHO. WHO FCTC provisions are evidence-based components of comprehensive national tobacco control programmes to which the Parties are bound. Further, countries that are not yet Parties (due to various political and administrative reasons) have also expressed an interest to implement various WHO FCTC provisions and move towards ratification of the treaty. To this end, TFI is committed to support both Parties and non-Parties towards strengthening tobacco control implementation and establishing sustainable programmes.

Tobacco use accounts for more than 8 million deaths a year. Efforts through various initiatives, such as the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and the WHO MPOWER, have contributed to combating the tobacco epidemic. However, there is a need to further accelerate the implementation of the WHO FCTC to meet the global voluntary targets to reduce the prevalence of tobacco use by 2025/SDG 3A Goals. The proposed work will cover a range of tobacco product regulation related activities, including administrative support related to WHO Advisory Groups on Tobacco Product Regulation, research and WHO Collaborating Centres, towards the implementation of Articles 9 and 10 of the WHO FCTC. The Consultancy is expected to support the Scientist in TFI by undertaking the following activities: -

1. Support the delivery of research projects on nicotine and tobacco products
2. Providing support in disseminating and coordinating information and knowledge on tobacco product regulation with relevant WHO Technical Groups, Regional colleagues and other Stakeholders including updating of TFI webpage
3. Support development of country briefs and notes for the record of country level engagement on product regulation, including novel and emerging nicotine and tobacco products
4. Assist in organizing meetings and webinars including in the development/finalization technical materials on tobacco control

https://www.who.int/about/what-we-do/thirteenth-general-programme-of-work-2019---2023

Deliverables

Under the overall guidance of the Unit Head, TFI and direct supervision of the Scientist, the consultant will:

A. Support the delivery of research projects on nicotine and tobacco products. The expected activities include:

• Conducting desk-based research, including literature reviews and review of country regulations to support research
• Drafting documents on the implications of research findings and identifying gaps
• Assisting in developing technical briefs, manuscripts and editorials on product regulation
• Supporting clearance processes and assist in the finalization of technical materials for production on nicotine and tobacco products
• Drafting research protocols and providing support to facilitate approvals
• Gathering and synthesizing relevant evidence on product regulation in line with assigned tasks

B. Providing support in disseminating and coordinating information and knowledge on tobacco product regulation with relevant WHO Technical Groups, Regional colleagues and other Stakeholders including updating of TFI webpage. The expected activities include:

• Providing support to compile the background papers for the reports of the e WHO Study Group on Tobacco Product Regulation (TobReg), assisting in setting up TobReg meetings and in preparing meeting materials to be disseminated to regions
• Supporting the smooth running of expert meetings on product regulation
• Drafting meeting documents, such as briefs, concept notes, agendas, annotated agendas, list of participants, take notes etc.
• Assisting in drafting the workplans for Tobacco Product Regulation WHO Collaborating Centres
• Supporting activities of the WHO Tobacco Laboratory Network, such as setting up teleconference calls, taking notes, liaising with laboratories, etc.
• Drafting text to update the TFI webpage and documents for updating the contents of the TFI webpages

C. Support development of country briefs and notes for the record of country level engagement on product regulation, including novel and emerging nicotine and tobacco products. The expected activities include:

Draft relevant tobacco product information briefs / materials, including information sheets, incorporating feedback
Assist in disseminating comprehensible resources on product regulation
Prepare background documentation for country engagement
Assist with capacity building activities related to product regulation in countries

D. Assist in organizing meetings and the development/finalization technical materials on tobacco control. The expected activities include:

• Supporting with logistical, organizational and technical arrangements for the smooth running of meetings, webinars, workshops and other relevant tobacco control events, related to the ENDS project.
• Preparing relevant meeting materials to meet the objectives of assigned tasks, such as briefs, agendas, meeting flyers, List of Participants, etc.
• Assisting with the finalization of product regulation documents, such as clearances, liaison with editors, proofreaders and designer and dissemination to the relevant stakeholders

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Qualifications required

Essential:
University degree on health, public health, physical or life sciences, law, or any other relevant field.

Desirable:
Studies or research work on tobacco control, analytical chemistry, toxicology, novel nicotine or tobacco products or similar relevant background.

Experience required

Essential:

• At least 2 years of demonstrated experience in the field of tobacco control or any other NCD risk factors, including understanding of relevant stakeholders in the field, e.g. academia and civil society associations.
• Demonstrated experience in managing and implementation of projects and multi-country engagement.

Desirable:

• Prior experience working with UN and/or national government institutions.
• Previous work experience in tobacco product regulation.

Skills / technical skills and knowledge

• Excellent writing and communication skills, with demonstrable experience in written outputs;
• Organizational, planning and attention to detail;
• Analytical and synthesis capacity;
• Research skills and literature reviews;
• Administrative skills and report writing;
• Team player but able to work autonomously and take initiative for implementing the tasks;
• Expert management of common communication platforms such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams; and social media;
• Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment;
• Ability to provide feedback and comfortable with receiving constructive feedback;
• Track record of meeting tight deadlines.

Language requirements

Essential:
Excellent knowledge of English.

Desirable
Intermediate or working knowledge of another UN language, preferably French.

Location

Off-site

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.)

The consultant is expected to travel, as necessary

Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Remuneration: Payband Level A (USD 3,955 – 6,980).

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

Not applicable

Work schedule (if applicable) / Duration of contract:

Start date: 1 July 2021 End date: 31 May 2022 (11 months)
Due to administrative measures, the consultancy will be split into two contracts. The first contract will start from 1 July to 31 December 2021. The second contract will be from 1 January to 31 May 2022.

Additional Information section:

• 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.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever 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 in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html