Coordination and technical support for the preparation and implementation of the Climate Change and Health Project in Pacific Island Countries

PURPOSE OF THE CONSULTANCY

The purpose of the work is to support the Team Coordinator, Pacific Climate Change and Environment (PCE), Division of Pacific Technical Support, WHO-WPRO in the following tasks:

1. Primary coordination and technical support for the preparation and implementation of climate change and health projects which will commence in 2022 in Pacific island countries, namely:
   1. Green Climate Fund-funded project on Enhancing the resilience of health systems to climate change and emerging pandemics in the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI)
   2. The Global Environment Facility-funded project, Building Resilience of Health Systems in Pacific Island LDCs to Climate Change (Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Vanuatu)
2. Provide technical support for additional climate change and health related projects underway in Pacific island countries, namely:
   1. The KOICA-funded project, Making Health Adaptation for the Future Resilient Islands – Kiribati Outer Islands Climate Health Action (Te-MaMAURI KOICA) (Kiribati)
   2. KOICA-funded project on Strengthening Health Adaptation Project: Responding to Climate Change in Fiji (already started).
3. Coordination and technical support, as needed for the Secretariat in the preparation of the 2nd meeting of the Climate Change, the Environment and Health Technical Advisory Group.

 

BACKGROUND

The Western Pacific Region is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate and environmental changes. Environmental determinants of health are responsible for more than a quarter of the burden of disease in the Region. Enduring shortage of safe drinking-water and sanitation, air pollution, presence of hazardous chemicals in the environment and climate-change related disasters heighten the threat of communicable and non-communicable diseases, negatively health equity and contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in the region.

Coordination and technical support for implementation of climate change and health projects

In building resilience into the health systems, WHO has worked closely with Member States in the preparation of project proposals for submission to potential funding agencies. In the Pacific, the following projects have been approved:

1. Green Climate Fund-funded project on Enhancing the resilience of health systems to climate change and emerging pandemics in the RMI (approved on 30th December 2021 – fund to be disbursed July 2022).
2. GEF-Funded project on Building Resilience of Health Systems in Pacific Island LDCs to Climate Change - (likely to commence in August 2022). 
3. KOICA-funded project on Making Health Adaptation for the Future Resilient Islands – Kiribati Outer Islands Climate Health Action (Te-MaMAURI KOICA) – (Commenced January 2022). 
4. KOICA-funded project on Strengthening Health Adaptation Project: Responding to Climate Change in Fiji (Underway – set to close in 2023).

The proposed consultancy is to support the acting Team Coordinator in the coordination of the projects, as well as provide technical support on specific project activities (to be decided), including:

• 1. Project 1 (GCF-funded project for RMI) – the project has been approved on 30th December 2021 and the next stage is to develop a detailed workplan in close coordination with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in RMI, support a kick-off meeting with key stakeholders, and begin implementation of project activities, with a primary focus on supporting MHMS counterparts in conducting assessments on target islands.
• 2. Project 2 (GEF-funded project) – support planning for the project kick-off meeting (likely September 2022), and development of detailed workplans with the four project countries – Kiribati, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu;

In addition, there are two other projects focused on climate change and health, in which technical support will be required, in coordination with the acting Team Coordinator, other consultants, and Member States, including:

• 3. Project 3 (KOICA-funded project for Kiribati) – support planning for the project kick-off meeting and initial stakeholder meetings (likely to be held in September 2022), as well as support the finalization of a detailed workplan in consultation with the Ministry of Health Kiribati and other relevant stakeholders, and assist with streamlining of vulnerability and adaptation assessment tools;
• 4. Project 4 (KOICA-funded project for Fiji) – the project is underway and set to close in 2023, and the consultant will provide technical support on various aspects of the workplan, as needed. This may include review / development of Terms of Reference, expert review of project outputs, and assisting consultants with conceptualization and implementation of project activities (e.g., assessments).

CCE-TAG coordination and technical support

In response, the 70th Regional Committee Meeting in October 2019 endorsed the document For the Future Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region (hereinafter referred to as “For the Future”)[1] which identified climate change and environment (CCE) as one of the four thematic priorities for the Region for the next five years.

The CCE TAG held the inaugural meeting in June 2020 and a follow up meeting was held in September 2020 which agreed on the strategic priorities and practical high-level actions (including “quick wins”) to implement the priorities of four pillars of the CCE thematic priority.

A follow-up face-to-face meeting of the CCE TAG is planned for September 2022 (date to be confirmed) to agree next steps for the coming year. Substantial support will be needed to organize and plan this follow-up meeting. The proposed CCE TAG meeting will bring together climate change and environment experts to provide strategic advice to WHO and Member States on the implementation of the Thematic Priority on Climate Change and Environment as envisioned in the For the Future document.  The specific objectives of the follow-up CCE TAG meeting are as follows:

1. review the work related to CCE and health over the past year, highlighting opportunities and challenges across the four pillars;
2. identify next steps to advance on the CCE-TAG objectives towards a desirable and achievable future defined at the Inaugural CCE-TAG Meeting; and
3. agree on actions to strengthen the collaboration and cooperation amongst CCE TAG members - within and across pillars; and collaboration between CCE TAG and other TAGs in WPRO; as well as CCE TAG and other key stakeholders in the CCE Platform.

The proposed consultancy will also provide technical support to the Secretariat for the preparation of the 2nd CCE TAG meeting planned for September 2022 (date to be confirmed), as needed including supporting the development / finalisation of meeting technical documents. Additionally, tasks will include providing expert advice and guidance related to activities under each of the CCE-TAG pillars, particularly related to the health co-benefits of climate change mitigation policies, building climate-resilient health systems, and monitoring climate change and health impacts and adaptation.

The consultant will also support additional global and regional climate change and health activities as needed and where appropriate.

Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

• Start date: 10 August 2022
• End date: 31 December 2022

The consultant will be engaged for 80 days within the period above. This will include travel (dependent on feasibility due to COVID-19 travel restrictions) to be stationed in Suva, Fiji, as well as travel to project countries, namely the RMI and Kiribati, and potentially Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Solomon Islands. In total, the consultant will spend roughly 40 days of the contract in the region.  The dates of travel aim to align with relevant project kick-off meetings, and be finalised and approved by the acting Team Coordinator, upon signing of the contract

 

METHOD(S) TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITIES

This work will be done as follows:

Activity 1 (~60 days): The consultant will provide technical and coordination support for the preparation and implementation of climate change and health projects in Pacific island countries.

Specific tasks include:

Across all climate change and health projects –

1. Conduct stakeholder mapping exercise to identify and scope technical / human resource needs across all climate change and health projects in Pacific island countries.

GCF-funded project (RMI)

1. Support the development of detail project workplan in close coordination with country stakeholders;
2. Organize a kick-off meeting, and subsequent coordination meetings for the project with all relevant stakeholders;
3. Conduct a gap analysis of governance and institutional mechanisms for mainstreaming climate change into Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS) programmes, policies, and plans;
4. Develop / adapt required climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessment tools;
5. Complete donor reports, as needed.

GEF-funded project

1. Support any updates to the Project Document, as needed;
2. Develop detailed workplans for each project country, working in close coordination with country stakeholders;
3. Support preparation for project kick-off meeting (date to be confirmed), including drafting of presentations, and coordinating with project country representatives;
4. Complete donor reports, as needed.

KOICA-funded project (Kiribati)

1. Support planning and coordination for the project kick-off meeting (date to be confirmed);
2. Working in close coordination with lead consultant to develop detailed workplan, including ToRs for project team;
3. Provide technical support for project activities such as development of assessment tools.

KOICA-funded project (Fiji)

1. Provide technical support on various aspects of the workplan, documents and project activities, as needed.

Activity 2 (~20 days): The consultant will work closely with the Team Coordinator (PCE) and Secretariat to support the preparation of the 2nd Meeting of the Climate Change, the Environment and Health Technical Advisory Group (in September 2022), as well as provide technical support for relevant Pillar activities.

Specific tasks include:

Prior to 2nd CCE TAG Meeting (date to be confirmed):

1. Prepare detailed workplan and timeframe leading to the follow-up meeting of the CCE TAG Meeting;
2. Support completion of CCE TAG deliverables, including coordinating with Pillar leads and Secretariat to provide technical support, as relevant and needed;
3. Coordinate meeting via tele-conferencing with the relevant Secretariat, Chair and Vice Chair, Pillar leads and CCE TAG members;
4. Coordinate and facilitate consultation with Member States of the Western Pacific, if necessary;
5. Coordinate and prepare the relevant technical documents (e.g., concept notes and presentations);
6. Coordinate or prepare the scripts for the CCE TAG meeting.

During the follow-up CCE TAG Meeting:

1. Coordinate and provide the Secretariat support, as needed.

After the meeting:

1. Prepare meeting report, including facilitating clearance for publication.

Outputs

Output 1: Coordination and provide technical support for the preparation and implementation of climate change and health projects in Pacific island countries.

Across all climate change and health projects

Deliverable 1.1: Finalized stakeholder mapping exercise to identify and scope technical /human resource needs across for the GCF (RMI) and GEF-Pacific climate change and health projects.

GCF-funded project (RMI)

• Deliverable 1.2: Draft detailed workplan.
• Deliverable 1.3: Meeting report for kick-off meeting.
• Deliverable 1.4: Finalised gap analysis of governance and institutional mechanisms for mainstreaming climate change into Ministry of Health and Human Services (MOHHS) programmes, policies, and plans.
• Deliverable 1.5: Draft climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessment tool.

GEF-funded project

• Deliverable 1.6: Draft detailed workplans for four project countries.
• Deliverable 1.7: Planning materials, including presentations and agenda, for project kick-off meeting.

KOICA-funded project (Kiribati and Fiji)

• Deliverable 1.8: Project documents and presentations needed for the Project Kick-off Meeting and relevant assessment tools required for field works.
• Deliverable 1.9: Contribution to the finalized versions of the CCH Training package.
• Deliverable 1.10: Contribution to the finalized versions of Fiji’s healthcare facilities CHVA report.

Output 2: Coordination and technical support to the Secretariat for the follow-up meeting of the Climate Change, the Environment and Health Technical Advisory Group

Deliverable 2.1: Prior to the follow up CCE TAG Meeting (date to be confirmed):

1. Detailed workplan with timeframe of activities leading to the follow up CCE TAG Meeting;
2. Relevant technical support documents including: 
   1. Meeting agenda;
   2. Speaking notes for WR;
   3. Power Point presentations, as needed. 
3. Finalised scripts of the Second CCE TAG meeting.

Deliverable 2.2: After the meeting:

1. Meeting report

Technical Supervision

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:

• Responsible Officer: Dr Genandrialine Peralta, Acting Team Coordinator, Pacific Climate Change and Environment
• Manager: Dr Mark Jacobs, WHO Representative, and Director, Pacific Technical Support

 

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

Education                                      

• Advanced degree (Master’s or Doctoral) in public health or environmental health, with a focus on climate change and health.

Experience

• • Must have work experience and advanced knowledge of climate change and health impacts and adaptation in the context of Pacific island countries. 
• • Must have direct work experience with one or more climate change and health project development in the Pacific, with a particular focus on the Green Climate Fund project in the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Global Environment Facility project in Kiribati, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, and KOICA-funded project on Making Health Adaptation for the Future Resilient Islands – Kiribati Outer Islands Climate Health Action (Te-MaMAURI KOICA). 

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge

• • Advanced knowledge of climate change and health literature, including impacts and adaptation in the context of Pacific island countries.
• • Experience in technical report writing specifically related to climate change and health projects in the context of Pacific island countries.
• • Ability to work remotely with minimal supervision yet maintaining teamwork efficiency.
• • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• • Computer literacy including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, as well as telecommunication platforms.

Language

Excellent command of English (spoken and written)

Competencies

• • Culturally sensitive;
• • Communicating in a credible and effective way.
• • Producing results.
• • Moving forward in a changing environment; and
• • Fostering integration and teamwork.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Place of assignment

This work will be done remotely with some travel anticipated to Suva, Fiji, and project countries. Dependent on feasibility, including travel restrictions related to COVID-19, travel will likely be included if allowed, to work at the WHO Office in Suva, Fiji, as well as support mission trips to project countries, namely the RMI and Kiribati, as well as Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu, as needed for the duration of ~30 days.

For remote working, the applicant must have a stable internet connection to allow teleconferences with WHO and Member States.

Medical clearance

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

Travel

If able to travel, the itinerary will be discussed and confirmed. Travel will aim to coincide with project-related meetings and activities.

Payment Schedule

• • Signing of contract – 0%
• • Submission of workplan – 50%
• • Submission of final Consultancy outcome report with all deliverables– 50%

 

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 1 August 2022. 

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. 178850 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.