Agreement for Performance of Work - Identification and examination of fiscal measures to address the environmental impact of tobacco and tobacco products

      BACKGROUND

Throughout its lifecycle, tobacco pollutes the planet and damages the health of all people. For example, the use of agrochemicals in tobacco growing leads to soil degradation which contributes to food insecurity. Further, each year, worldwide tobacco manufacturing produces an estimated 2.26 billion kilograms of solid waste and 209 million kilograms of chemical waste. In the Western Pacific Region, it is estimated that nearly 1.2 million tonnes of tobacco product waste (namely from cigarette butts and tobacco product plastic packaging) is discarded annually.

Several countries in the Western Pacific are at the forefront of the negative impact of climate change on the well-being of their populations. Taxes have been identified as cost-effective measures for reducing consumption of unhealthy products such as tobacco. While the detrimental impact of the entire tobacco cycle -from cultivation to manufacture to use- are well-known, environmental taxes and levies are not yet commonly applied. Further, there is limited direct evidence as to whether such policies have beneficial effects on reducing consumption and on industry behaviour and mitigating negative environmental impacts.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

This agreement performance of work aims to identify ways taxes and levies have been applied (directly or indirectly) to address the environmental impact of tobacco and the extent to which those ways had an impact on consumption and industry behaviour.

      DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Output 1: Synthesis report on the application of taxes or levies aimed at mitigating negative environmental impact of tobacco products whether directly or indirectly such as by affecting industry behaviour or by reducing public purchase/consumption.

Deliverable 1.1: Summary report detailing international evidence (e.g., country/area examples) on the application of taxes or levies aimed at affecting tobacco industry’s behaviour (directly and indirectly) to subsequently diminish negative environmental impacts. This report should include detailed descriptions about the intended immediate and longer-term impacts, potential risks, gaps and other considerations.

Deliverable 1.2: Summary report detailing mechanisms (e.g., protocols, indicators, etc.) which have been, or may be, used to measure and monitor the impact of taxes and levies on tobacco industry behaviour and on the physical environment.

Deliverable 1.3: Summary report of recommendations on how to: 1) ensure the intended impact of, and 2) reduce the unintended impact of, taxes or levies on industry behaviour and the physical environment.

Deliverable 1.4: A drafted country case study report featuring at least one “good practice” about a tax that directly impacts the environmental impact of tobacco.

       METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

       Desk review

       QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• [Of team lead] Minimum 5 years of research experience in public health, economic, or related field

       EDUCATION

       Essential:  

• degree in Economics, including taxation, supply and demand dynamics and cost-benefit analyses, Environmental Science/Studies, Taxation or Tax Policy degree, Public Policy

      Desirable:

• [Of team lead] Master’s degree in economics, public finance, financial management, environmental or public health, or related field

       EXPERIENCE

       Essential:

• Economic Research, data analysis proficiency, Taxation Expertise including knowledge of tax systems, especially excise and environmental taxation

       Desirable:

• Experience in policy analysis or research on tax and environmental policies; undertaking Environmental Impact Assessment

       TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

• Proficiency in data analysis
• Familiarity with statistical software tools to analyze and interpret data effectively
• Data Collection skills which may involve accessing government reports, industry data, surveys and academic studies
• Proficiency in organizing and managing large datasets for analysis and reporting
• Taxation Expertise through knowledge of tax policies, including excise taxes and environmental taxation, how they are applied and modified.
• Environmental Science Knowledge to assess the environmental impact of tobacco and its cultivation, manufacturing, and consumption (desirable)

        LANGUAGES

• Fluency in written and spoken English

        ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

        Work will take place remotely.

APPLICATIONS

Qualified and interested entities should submit their proposals (including a detailed budget) to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at wproungm@who.int  by
20 October 2023. 

Please use Tender Notice No.  215867 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.