Consultant (HPD/CHE) NOB Level

Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to support updating process of Jordan’s Climate Change Health Adaptation Strategy and Action Plan by leading V&A assessment of one of the working groups using the available WHO guidance. This will be executed under the direction of the coordination team and the lead consultant and in collaboration with the project team leaders and members from the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders.

Background

In 2012, MOH has released its national climate change and health adaptation strategy and action plan which was conducted by a team of experts from the Ministry and other partners. The strategy consisted of two main components: vulnerability and adaptation (V&A) assessment of six main health outcomes of concern at the national level, followed by the adaptation strategy and plan of action for the health sector (health national adaptation plan). In addition, project proposals were developed based on the findings of the V&A assessment and HNAP priorities. The proposals were used for resource mobilization to bridge the identified gaps, but unfortunately efforts did not continue.

Six health outcomes were assessed, namely: 1-air-borne and respiratory diseases, 2-water and food-borne diseases, 3-vector borne diseases, 4-nutrition and food safety, 5-heat waves, and 6-occupational health. Each outcome was assessed in a separate chapter which contains the following: I-introduction, II-vulnerability assessment including the description of the outcome and its relation to climate change and the burden of the disease in addition to the vulnerable groups and areas and other vulnerability factors, III-adaptation assessment including the programmes and policies relevant to the outcome either at the MOH or outside and few adaption measures recommended, and IV-a suggested early warning system mechanism.

The strategy and plan of action was developed based on the outcomes of the assessment of the main health risks and on the consultation of several stakeholders. The strategy and plan of action listed a number of objectives and activities needed to increase the resilience and capacity of the health sector detailing the time frame needed, the responsible sectors, and indicators for evaluation and monitoring. In addition, 24 project proposals were listed to back up the implementation of the strategy and action plan. It is worth mentioning that only one proposal was funded, and two other proposals were included in the NDC implementation plan of Jordan but not funded yet.

In 2021, the Ministry of Health of Jordan has announced its commitments to build a climate resilient and environmentally sustainable low carbon health system as part of COP26 Presidency Health Programme. The commitments included updating the national climate change and health adaptation strategy and plan of action with its main components the V&A assessment and HNAP.

To update the strategy and plan of action, health outcomes/chapters will be grouped into three main working groups, for each group a main expert/consultant will be responsible for the updating process. Through this consultancy, two main experts will be contracted to lead updating two groups of health outcomes in the strategy.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

20 working days during the following period

Start date: 01 July 2023

End date: 15 November 2023

Work to be performed

Output1: Review the assigned health outcomes/chapters of the old strategy and plan the update process of the V&A assessment and early warning system for each health outcome.

Deliverable 1:1: Prepare a draft detailed plan of action to update the assigned health outcomes/chapters including the V&A assessment and early warning system. This includes the timeline and activities, project team members, objective of the process, and needed coordination and approvals.

Output2: V&A assessment and early warning system for the first group of health outcomes.

Deliverable 2:1: Prepare the draft report on V&A assessment and Early warning system for each health outcome.

Output3: V&A assessment report and contribute to HNAP updating process for the assigned health outcomes.

Deliverable 3:1: Prepare a consolidated and comprehensive final V&A assessment and early warning system report on the assigned health outcomes including comments on the HNAP and project proposals of each outcome.

Specific requirements

Qualifications required:

Essential: University degree in Environmental health studies or climate change

Desirable: Master’s degree in environmental health studies, or equivalent

Experience required:

2 years of relevant experience working in environmental health studies, climate change and health.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Experience conducting vulnerability and adaptation assessments, preferably climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessments.
• Excellent analytical skills
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Excellent leadership and coordination skills

Language requirements:

Essential fluent in English and Arabic (Read-Write-Speak);

Place of assignment

From her/his current location

Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel N/A

The Consultant is not expected to travel.

Addition Information

• is 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.
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• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
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• 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.