To support WPR Member States implement the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030; to strengthen implementation of the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol

BACKGROUND

The overall burden of disease and injuries attributable to alcohol consumption remains unacceptably high, with the harmful use of alcohol associated with approximately 3 million deaths every year. The pace of development and implementation of interventions and strategies to reduce alcohol harm has been uneven across, and within, WHO regions. In the Western Pacific Region (WPR), there are some of the highest alcohol consumption rates among adults in the world. In 2016, the total alcohol per-capita consumption in the Region was almost 10% higher than the global average, with an average of 7.3 litres of pure alcohol consumed per adult.

Following the endorsement of the WHO Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful use of Alcohol in 2010, resources and capacity to support strategy implementation have been directed towards alcohol harm prevention globally. However, the impact of alcohol related harm remains a priority health issue. On this basis, the WHO Executive Board in its decision EB146 (14) called for accelerated action to reduce the harmful use of alcohol. Informed by Member States and technical experts, the first WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 has been developed in 2021, to be launched in 2022.

In April 2021, feedback was collected from WPR Member States on a draft version of the Action Plan. A number of unique challenges were identified from the Western Pacific, together with requests for support when implementing the plan. SDH/VIP seeks a technical expert to support WPR Member States implement interventions and strategies towards achieving global alcohol harm reduction targets set out across six key action areas: 

1. IMPLEMENTATION OF HIGH-IMPACT STRATEGIES AND INTERVENTIONS
2. ADVOCACY, AWARENESS AND COMMITMENT
3. PARTNERSHIP, DIALOGUE AND COORDINATION
4. TECHNICAL SUPPORT AND CAPACITY-BUILDING
5. KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTION AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
6. RESOURCE MOBILIZATION

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

The Consultant will support WPR Member States implement the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030; to strengthen implementation of the Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful Use of Alcohol.

WORK TO BE PERFORMED

Method(s) to carry out the activity

The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting implementation of the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan in the Western Pacific, providing technical and administrative support to Member States. The candidate will also be expected to perform other duties supporting the regional programme on violence and injury prevention as required by the Technical Coordinator, SDH/VIP/ALC.

Output/s

1. Identify and act on Member State requests for additional support towards Action Plan implementation
   1. Perform scoping work to assess need for regional, sub-regional and/or national indicators or targets to support Global Action Plan implementation
   2. Identify existing national strategies relevant to alcohol, assessing their alignment to the Global Action Plan
   3. Provide technical support to Member States as required against the six target areas of the Global Action Plan
2. As required, support selected WHO Country Offices implement national alcohol harm reduction projects, as outlined in the SDH/VIP 2022 Workplan.
3. Support launch and dissemination of the first WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030 within the Western Pacific
   1. Coordinate regional and/or subregional launch events
   2. Follow-up on Member State feedback and requests provided on the draft Action Plan in April 2021, as captured within the Meeting Report: VIRTUAL CONSULTATION ON THE WHO ACTION PLAN TO STRENGTHEN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL STRATEGY TO REDUCE THE HARMFUL USE OF ALCOHOL

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education:         

Candidates must possess at least a Master’s of Public Health Degree.  Additional education is an asset.

Experience:

• • Minimum 7 years’ experience working in alcohol harm reduction.
• • Demonstrated ability to build partnerships and work in multicultural and multidisciplinary settings.
• • Excellent communicator, experienced in developing and delivering technical training.
• • Excellent inter-personal skills.
• • Ability to work independently.
• • Experience working in low and middle‐income countries/settings is an asset.
• • Experience working for the WHO or other UN agencies is an asset.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• • Previous experience in supporting development and/or implementation of Action Plans associated with reducing alcohol availability and accessibility.
• • In-depth understanding of the WHO Global Strategy to Reduce the Harmful use of Alcohol.
• • Familiarity with the first draft of the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022-2030.
• • Good management and leadership abilities and experience.
• • Familiarity with the goals and procedures of international organizations (UN system, donors, nongovernmental organizations).  
• • Excellent inter-personal skills with the demonstrated ability to work effectively with government officials as well as with national and international organizations.
• • Excellent writing skills.

Functional skills and knowledge:

• • Ability to coordinate, plan and implement projects, conduct training activities, effectively monitor and analyse data and present results.
• • Ability to work independently and deliver high quality work on time.
• • Computer proficiency in Outlook, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Languages:

Good spoken and written English.

Competencies:

• • Producing results - Produces and delivers quality results. Is action oriented and committed to achieving outcomes.
• • Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization - Develops and strengthens internal and external partnerships that can provide information, assistance and support to WHO. Identifies and uses synergies across the Organization and with external partners.
• • Ensuring the effective use of resources - Identifies priorities in accordance with WHO's strategic directions. Develops and implements action plans, organizes the necessary resources and monitors outcomes.
• • Moving forward in a changing environment - Is open to and proposes new approaches and ideas. Adapts and responds positively to change.
• • Fostering integration and teamwork - Develops and promotes effective relationships with colleagues and team members. Deals constructively with conflicts.
• • International travel may be required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Place of assignment:

The consultant will undertake the work in their own workplace/country of residence. Regular communication with WPRO (by VC/TC or similar) is expected.

Contract duration:

6 months (17 January 2022 – 15 July 2022)

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested specialists should submit their CV {for individual contractors} and Expression of Interest {cover letter} to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 30 December 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. 160038 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.