BACKGROUND

Kiribati is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the health impacts of climate variability and change. Climate change threatens not only the health and well-being of the nation but its very existence. The combination of exposure to climatic hazards, limited capacity of the health system, including inadequate basic infrastructure such as communication, water and sanitation and electricity, human resources, and supplies, as well as communities that are remote and hard to reach provide significant challenges in reducing climate change-related morbidity and mortality. Without substantial and proactive investment in adaptation in the health sector and community-levels, the current and projected climatic changes will result in increased health risks through direct and indirect pathways.

The WHO Country Office in Kiribati is part of the Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS), a decentralised division of the Western Pacific region established to coordinate the provision of technical support for the countries and areas of the Pacific Islands. The WHO Country Liaison Office for Kiribati is the centre of the Secretariat’s mechanism for delivering its technical cooperation. The goal of WHO’s country presence is to enable the entire organisation to sport Kiribati in reaching its health goals and contributing to global and regional public health action.

PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY

Within the context of the Climate Change, the Environment, and Health (CCE) Thematic Priority of For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region, and guided by the Pacific Islands Action Plan on Climate Change and Health, WHO Cooperation Strategy and the WHO’s General Programme of Work (GPW), the purpose of this work is to provide the technical and scientific support on climate change and environmental health for the WHO Office in Kiribati in coordination with the WHO Liaison Officer for Kiribati and Team Coordinator, Pacific Climate Change and Environment (PCE), Division of Pacific Technical Support, WHO-WPRO.

More specifically, the incumbent will coordinate, and provide guidance on the implementation climate change and environmental health projects in Kiribati to be aligned to the pillars of the CCE thematic priority the WPRO Framework for Action on Health and Environment on a Changing Planet, and the Pacific Islands Action Plan on Climate Change and Health.

The purpose of the work is to support in the following tasks:

1. Coordination and technical support for the preparation and implementation of the climate change and health project in Kiribati:
   1. The KOICA-funded project, Making Health Adaptation for the Future Resilient Islands – Kiribati Outer Islands Climate Health Action (Te-MaMAURI KOICA)

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITIES TO BE CARRIED OUT

Coordination and technical support for implementation of climate change and health project in Kiribati

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 Kiribati, the following project has been approved:

1. KOICA-funded project on Making Health Adaptation for the Future Resilient Islands – Kiribati Outer Islands Climate Health Action (Te-MaMAURI KOICA)  

The project will be implemented by WHO in close collaboration with Kiribati Ministry of Health and Medical Service (MHMS), with the goal to strengthen health systems, healthcare facilities, schools, and communities with an emphasis on outer islands in Kiribati to protect and improve population health in a changing climate. The proposed activities in this project will address significant institutional and informational gaps that are inhibiting the health system in Kiribati to effectively cope in a changing climate.

The proposed consultancy is to support the Team Coordinator, Pacific Climate Change and Environment (PCE), Division of Pacific Technical Support, WHO-WPRO and close consultation with the Country Liaison Officer (CLO) of the WHO Office in Kiribati in the coordination of the project including:

1. Support planning for the project kick-off meeting, including development of relevant meeting documents in consultation with the Ministry of Health Kiribati and other relevant stakeholders
2. Coordinate implementation of climate change and environmental health initiatives and projects in Kiribati to ensure its compliance with the defined project scope, management methodology, standards, budget and timelines.
3. Coordinate WHO’s technical assistance by developing comprehensive projects plans in collaboration with national counterparts and technical staff during all project phases, from initial development through implementation.;
4. Identify project risks and implementation challenges and work closely with responsible team leads to mitigate these risks and to identify solutions to address business needs;
5. Prepare quarterly and annual reports to be cleared by WHO Representative to the South Pacific;
6. Ensure visibility of project plans including communication plans, status, dependencies, risks, and issues. Monitor project progress continuously and deliver scheduled reports to supervisors and donors on measurable items, milestones and deliverables and risks;
7. Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor.

METHODS TO CARRY OUT THE ACTIVITY

The consultant will support coordination and provide technical support for the preparation and implementation of the Te-MaMAURI KOICA project. This work will be done as follows:

(1) Activity 1 (~10 days): Preparation for the project kick-off meeting (to be held virtually), including development of meeting documents, finalization of the detailed workplan, and organization of participants.

Specific tasks include:

1. Support planning and coordination for the project kick-off meeting;
2. Developing presentations for the detailed workplan, working in close coordination with Kiribati Ministry of Health;
3. Provide technical support for project activities.

(2) Activity 2 (~25 days): Support implementation (including monitoring and evaluation) of National Environmental Health and Climate Change and Health Action Plan (NEHCCHAP), in coordination with local and regional partners, to improve and measure climate resilience in community and health systems and inform policy development and planning.

Specific tasks include:

1. Conducting a climate change and health policy analysis review, including information on funding mechanisms for climate change and health in Kiribati;
2. Conduct meetings with Kiribati MoH and other relevant stakeholders to gather inputs related NEHCCHAP;
3. Provide recommendations for draft NEHCCHAP implementation plan, including monitoring and evaluation aspects.

(3) Activity 3: (~25 days): Preparation to conduct climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessments on outer islands, strengthening health component and rolling out of Integrated Vulnerability and Adaptation (IVA) assessments.

Specific tasks include:

1. Conducting a desktop review climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessments in the context of Pacific island countries;
2. Conduct meetings with Kiribati MoH and other relevant stakeholders to gather inputs on approaches and needs for strengthening the health component of the Integrated Vulnerability and Adaptation assessment;
3. Develop / adapt assessment tool to be utilized for conducting climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessment on outer islands in Kiribati.

Outputs

Output 1: Preparation for the project kick-off meeting (to be held virtually), including development of meeting documents, finalization of the detailed workplan, and organization of participants.

Deliverable 1.1: Project documents and presentations needed for the Project Kick-off Meeting.

Deliverable 1.2: Project kick-off meeting outcome report

Output 2: Support implementation (including monitoring and evaluation) of National Environmental Health and Climate Change and Health Action Plan (NEHCCHAP), in coordination with local and regional partners, to improve and measure climate resilience in community and health systems and inform policy development and planning.

Deliverable 2.1: Climate change and health policy analysis review in Kiribati

Deliverable 2.2: Recommendations for draft NEHCCHAP implementation plan, including monitoring and evaluation aspects.

Output 3: Preparation to conduct climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessments on outer islands, strengthening health component and rolling out of Integrated Vulnerability and Adaptation (IVA) assessments.

Deliverable 3.1: Desktop review climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessments in the context of Pacific island countries

Deliverable 3.2: Assessment tool to be utilized for conducting climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessment on outer islands in Kiribati.

Technical Supervision

The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:

Responsible Officer:       

1. Dr Nasir Hassan - Team Coordinator, Team Coordinator, Pacific Climate Change and Environment WHO - Division of Pacific Technical

2. Dr Wendy Snowdon - WHO Country Liaison Officer, Kiribati

Manager:           

Dr Mark Jacobs -  WHO Representative, South Pacific 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.  
• • Scientific and technical work experience with Pacific island countries in the fields of climate change and health, environmental health especially in the areas of water, sanitation and hygiene in healthcare facilities, climate sensitive diseases, and interventions in building climate resilience healthcare facilities.
• • Prior experience of working with KOICA projects to ensure the candidate is familiar with the Korean Government systems and specifically familiar with KOICA administrative systems.
• • Experience in programme / project planning, management and successful delivery of complex cross functional or interdependent projects. Experience in managing complex projects within a UN and health context. Experience in change management, quality assurance, and communications. Experience in management of climate change projects. Experience in Budget and Finance. Work experience with Pacific island countries.

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 and policy analysis, specifically related to climate change and health projects in the context of Pacific island countries.
• • Experience conducting assessments related to climate change and/or environmental health in low-resource contexts. 
• • Ability to work remotely with minimal supervision.
• • Ability to work effectively with a team.
• • 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. Dependent on feasibility, including travel restrictions related to COVID-19, travel may be included if allowed, to be stationed in Kiribati, including trips to outer islands for ~30 days. The dates of travel will aim to align with relevant project kick-off meeting and other activities.

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. If feasible, 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 < [email protected] > by 21 February 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. 166344 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.