Climate Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment of Health Care Facilities in the Western and Northern Divisions in Fiji

BACKGROUND

Health care facilities (HCFs) in Fiji range in size from small community or village level dispensaries to large divisional referral hospitals and even the national referral centre. Depending on each facilities’ capacity, they provide health care services ranging from basic first aid up to complex specialized clinical care. Regardless of their size or level of services provided, all HCFs in Fiji are vulnerable to the effects of climate change and all have potential to impact the environment in varying degrees. In light of increasing climate change impacts such as severe tropical cyclones, extreme high temperatures and droughts and escalating sea level rise the Fijian government has developed its ‘Guidelines for CRESHCF in Fiji’ prompted by WHO’s Guidance for Climate Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Health Care Facilities.

The drafting of the ‘Guidelines for CRESHCF in Fiji’ (initially - A Guide for Green Health Care Facilities in Fiji’) commenced in 2018 as a product of activities under CCHSAP 2016 – 2020 and in response to other plans and documents, e.g. WHO’s Operational Framework for Building Climate-Resilient Health Systems, Fiji’s Green Growth Framework (aims at ‘reducing carbon footprints at all levels’), Pacific Islands’ Action Plan on Climate Change and Health (2018) etc. Recent documents that support the initiative are the Fiji’s National Adaptation Plan of 2018 and the Ministry’s Strategic Plan 2020 – 2025.

The Ministry has commenced the implementation of the guide through conducting planning meetings and training. The implementation of the guidelines is guided by the Standard Operating Procedure for Implementation (SOP-I) which is annexed in the Guidelines. The Ministry’s CRESHCF implementation plan (IP) precisely outlines that all HCF in Fiji will undertake the CRESHCF assessment, however, the need to prioritize HCF for assessment according to their vulnerabilities to climate hazards was highlighted during the training and consultation phases. Therefore, selection of HCF for CRESHCF assessment will use the Climate Hazard and Vulnerability Assessment (CHVA) recommendation as the main criteria for selection. The CHVA tool appended as Annex 3 in the Guidelines may be used as the main assessment tool for this exercise.

The work required in this ToR is very important in the whole process of the Ministry’s approach towards building climate resilient health systems through climate resilient and environmentally sustainable HCF. The work requires knowledge of Ministry of Health structure, policies and plans regarding Health Emergency and Climate Change and understanding of the different health care levels and their functions in Fiji.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

In collaboration with the Pacific Climate Change and Environment (PCE), WHO Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) office and the government of Fiji primarily the Ministry of Health & Medical Services (MOHMS), the consultant will conduct the Vulnerability Assessment of Health Care Facilities in the Western and the Northern Divisions in Fiji using the ‘Guidelines for Climate Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Health Care Facilities in Fiji’ (CRESHCF).

The general objective of CHVA process is to identify vulnerable HCF to be prioritized for the CRESHCF assessment. The specific objectives are:

1. To identify the status of vulnerability to climate hazards of all HCF, and that is collated, reported and disseminated for decision making and advocacy;
2. To develop a schedule of CRESHCF assessment based on the prioritization of HCF;
3. To enhance the finalizing of CRESHCF assessment checklists;
4. To produce a schedule and frequency of assessment for the selected facilities.

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

The CRESHCF IP proposes that all HCF complete CHVA by July 2021 and within this timeframe 4 consecutive reports are expected from the consultant to guide the prioritizing, training and finalizing of CRESHCF assessment checklists.

Under the supervision of the PCE team coordinator based in WHO office, Suva, and the national coordinator Health Emergency and Climate Change  based at MoHMS, Suva, the consultant will carry out the following activities (reference to the Guide includes all annexes):

1. The consultant finalizes the CHVA tool for the assessment (2 days);
2. The consultant prepares and submits a workplan that includes data collection techniques/method (2 days);
3. The consultant conducts the CHVA of the 60 HCF in the Western division and 45 in the Northern Division (30 days);
4. The consultant prepares and submits progressive reports of the vulnerable status of HCF and submits at every 14 days intervals (3 days);
5. Conducts prioritization of HCF for the CRESHCF assessment (2 days);
6. The consultant prepares a report which is submitted with the final CHVA report that contains specific recommendations of prioritized HCF for the CRESHCF assessment (3 days).

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

1. Continued consultation with the PCE and NHCC teams (Estimated number of days required-2 days);
2. Conducts desktop review, face to face interview with key informants, focus group, inspection of the facilities and environment, mapping, photographing, reporting, presentation (2 days);
3. Visits all 60 HCF in the Western division and 45 in the Northern Division (30 days);
4. Submits progressive reports on line of the vulnerable status of HCF and submits at every 14 days intervals (3 days);
5. Uses  prioritization tool to prioritize HCF for the CRESHCF assessment (2 days);
6. Submits online and/or hard printout all reports and also presents to the PCE and HECC teams report which is submitted with the final CHVA report that contains specific recommendations of prioritized HCF for the CRESHCF assessment (3 days).

Output/s

Output 1: The workplan including the finalized CHVA tool for the assessment (4 days)   

• Deliverable 1.1: The finalized CHVA tool for the assessment (2 days);
• Deliverable 1.2: The workplan for the assessment, data collection method and reporting (2 days).

Output 2: Conducted the CHVA of the 60 HCF in the Western division and 45 in the Northern (30 days).

• Deliverable 2.1: Conducted the CHVA of 105 HCF (20 days);
• Deliverable 2.2: Conducted the relevant consultations/interviews and discussions (7 days);
• Deliverable 2.3: Submitted 3 progressive reports from the field- fortnightly (3 days).

Output 3: HCF CHVA outcome report (8 days).

• Deliverable 3.1: Completed 105 HCF CHVA reports (3 days);
• Deliverable 3.2: Consolidated HCF CHVA report (3 days);  
• Deliverable 3.2: List of prioritized HCF for the CRESHCF assessment (2 days).

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

EDUCATION

Essential:  Advanced degree in climate change or environmental sciences

Desirable: Advanced degree in population studies/survey or geography, public health, or health sciences

EXPERIENCE

Essential: At least five years of experience in climate change adaptation and mitigation, environmental health or environment risk assessment of impacts of climate change or extreme weather events.

Desirable: Experience in climate change and disaster risk management work is an advantage.

TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

Specific technical knowledge of EIA or EHIA and skills in climate change adaptation and mitigation planning and implementation; has general knowledge in the role and responsibilities of health care facilities and the ministry of Health and Medical Services in disaster risk management, climate change adaptation and SDG implementation. Has strong analytical skills; Demonstrated writing skills to prepare technical reports and has excellent communication skills.

LANGUAGES

Expert level of written and spoken English is required.

COMPETENCIES

• • Culturally sensitive;
• • Team worker;
• • Communicating in a credible and effective way; and
• • Producing results.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

This work will involve extensive field activities and communication with health workers in the HCFs.

• Duration of contract: 42 working days

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} or Company Profile {for institutional applications} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 1 March 2021. 

The cover letter should outline how their experience and qualifications make them a suitable candidate for this position and should include their proposed daily consultancy fee and availability.

Please use Tender Notice No. 122542 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.