Individual Consultancy: Community assessment and awareness raising support for climate resilience and pandemic preparedness - re-advertisement

1. Background

Climate-resilient health systems have the potential to protect and improve population health by enhancing the capacity to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related exposures. Under the Green Climate Fund Readiness Project - Enhancing the Resilience of Health Systems to Climate Change and Emerging Pandemics in the Republic of Marshall Islands, support will be provided fill existing, previously identified gaps in adaptation planning for the health sector, as well as scale up the scope and geographic reach of interventions to further reduce the health impacts of climate change in the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI).

By enhancing climate change and health institutional capacity, strategic frameworks, and coordination mechanisms, as well as improving the evidence / knowledge base on climate change-related health risks and adaptation investment options, the goal of the project is to support RMI, through building a resilient health system, to protect and improve population health in a changing climate more effectively. Outputs include:

• Output 1.3.1: Communication strategy and materials prepared and adopted by TTEC to increase knowledge and awareness of multiple audiences at national and sub-national levels about the linkages between climate change and health, best practices on mitigation and adaptation, and engagement in country planning and programming.
• Output 2.2.1: Tools developed/adapted and two assessments conducted to establish an enabling environment that supports development and financing of climate change and health policies and plans, including improved climate-resilience in the health sector and emphasized health co-benefits of mitigation strategies.
• Output 2.2.2: Hospitals and target healthcare facilities are assessed and contingency plans reviewed and updated to support development of climate-resilience and environmentally sustainable of  healthcare facilities, to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related shocks and stressors including current and future concurrent disasters and public health emergencies.
• Output 2.2.3: Building from on-going / planned activities, health information and surveillance systems are assessed on all islands and atolls, to support climate and meteorological data integration into the existing data portal, and knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) are surveyed on selected outer islands to inform climate change risk communication and community engagement.
• Output 5.1.1: Guidance on climate change and health evidence-based best practices developed, validated, and disseminated by the TTEC to inform the integration of climate change-related health impacts, adaptation options, and health co-benefits of mitigation policies into health sector planning, NCCP, NAP, and GCF programming, and the next NDC.

In addition, the project will support communication and awareness raising events in RMI with the objective of bringing together and engaging with key populations (e.g., youth and women) on climate change and health issues and solutions.

1. Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date:  10/06/2024

End date: 31/12/2024

1. Work to be performed

Project activities include assessments to capture information on climate change and health risks and adaptation from healthcare facilities, health information systems, and community-level perspectives. These assessments will inform setting baselines, understanding context and needs of communities and health care facilities (HCFs), developing adaptation interventions to enhance resilience, and identifying barriers to implementation. WHO has drafted a Climate Change and Health Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (CHIVA) tool for Pacific island settings, of which this project can build on. The tool is divided into multiple sections to holistically capture climate change and health risks, including:

1. National / sub-national policy environment and situational analysis;
2. Healthcare facility based using the WHO guidance Climate-Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Healthcare Facilities (CRESHCF) which focused on the health workforce, WASH, energy, infrastructure, as well as health information and early warning systems;
3. Community-level knowledge, attitudes, and practice related to climate change and health risks and adaptation.

The purpose of the consultancy is to adapt and implement Section 3 – Community Level – of the CHIVA, working closely with the MoHHS Environmental Health and Health Information Systems teams, as well as the Climate Change and Health Coordinator and other project team members to ensure synergies with on-going / planned work. Secondarily, the consultancy will support innovative communication and awareness raising activities. 

The specific objectives include:

• Review, contextualize, and integrate identified assessment tools with the CHIVA to fit the contextual needs of RMI, including Climate Change and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments (V&A), CRESHCF, surveys of health information systems for early warning systems, and community level knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) survey. 

• Support design and participant in stakeholder training workshop on assessment tool and climate resilient health systems. 
• Conduct assessments on selected islands/atolls, including data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Facilitate the organization and delivery of innovative communication and awareness raising activities.

Method(s) to carry out the activity

Output 1: Finalized report and promotional materials for innovative communication and awareness raising activities.  

Deliverable 1.1: Draft work plan for communication and awareness raising event, including agenda, participant list, activities, outputs, logistics for participants, plans for interns, and detailed budget.

Deliverable 1.2: Finalized report, including key outcomes and any communication / promotion materials related to the event. 

Output 2: Support for stakeholder training workshop on assessment tool and climate resilient health systems. 

Deliverable 2.1: Inputs into training workshop design.

Deliverable 2.2: Presentation and facilitation on community level assessments with training workshop participants.

Output 3: Contextualized CHIVA tool for community settings and work plan for conducting assessments with 6 communities on 2-3 atolls (to be decided and agreed upon by the project team).

Deliverable 3.1: Contextualized CHIVA tool for community settings in RMI.

Deliverable 3.2: Finalized workplan for conducting assessments with 6 communities on 2-3 atolls.

Output 4: Finalized CHIVA community-based assessment report for 6 communities on 2-3 atolls.

Deliverable 4.1: Finalized CHIVA community-based assessment report and presentation, including methodology, key gaps, and next steps.

Additionally, tasks may include:

• Support advocacy/coordination meetings with key stakeholders focusing on assessments and project activities related to environmental health, as needed.
• Participate in feedback sessions to WHO and MoHHS teams and develop brief progress reports.
• Coordinate with project team members for planning and implementation of project assessments, including logistics and procurement for travel.
• Attend regular monthly Project Management Unit (PMU) coordination meetings to provide inputs and relevant updates.
• Support the planning of implementation of any project related events, coordination meetings, trainings, or workshops, coinciding with relevant activities, as needed.
• Perform any other duties that may be assigned by the WHO Country Liaison Officer.

1. Specific requirements

- Qualifications required:

Experience in working with neighbouring island communities, including experience establishing trust among the community leaders with the organizations.

- Experience required:

At least two years working in neighbouring island communities on climate change and/or environmental or public health issues. - Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Experience conducting assessments, working closely with governmental and partner organizations, and report writing.Experience leading workshops / seminars. Experience working in the field of climate change and health, including designing and delivering assessments at the community level.

- Language requirements:

Written and spoken fluency in Marshallese and English is essential.

1. Competencies

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

1. Place of assignment

Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands, with travel to selected communities to conduct CHIVA assessment.

1. Medical clearance

Not applicable for this contract.

1. Travel

The Contractor is expected to travel to 2-3 atolls / islands according to the itinerary and estimated schedule developed under Output 1. All travel arrangements and insurance will be the responsibility of the contractor. Travel budget is estimated to be around 3-4 thousand dollars (USD).

1. Submission requirements

Interested contractors should send via electronic copy the following requirements:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Detailed Budget to cover all costs related to this consultancy including consultancy fees; living allowances (if applicable); and an Estimated travel budget for conducting assessment on 2-3 atolls/islands.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

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      29 May 2024. 

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. 234667 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.