Consultant – GEF Climate Change and Health Project, Port Vila, Vanuatu

Purpose of consultancy

In collaboration with the Vanuatu WHO Country Office, Pacific Climate Change and Environment (PCE) unit, WHO Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) office and the Vanuatu Ministry of Health (MoH), the international consultant will lead a baseline climate change and health policy baseline assessment and situational analysis, updating/revising/developing relevant standard operating procedures, and supporting the initial preparation of the Vanuatu Health National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP) for climate change.

Background

The health impacts of climate change in Vanuatu are diverse and serious, including water- and vector-borne diseases, undernutrition, and the mental and physical effects of extreme weather and climate events. Extreme weather and climate events also disrupt the delivery of health care services. The Vanuatu MoH have limited technical capacity to effectively integrate climate-related risks into policy, planning, and regulatory frames, and into interventions to control the current and project future burden of climate-sensitive health outcomes.

In consultation with stakeholders, this GEF LDCF project, “Building Resilience of Health Systems in Pacific Island Least Developed Countries to Climate Change” was designed to increase the capacity of national health systems and institutions, and sub-level actors, to manage long-term climate-sensitive health risks, through four complementary outcomes: (1) strengthening governance of health system and institutional capacities; (2) strengthening capacities of health system institutions and personnel to manage the health risks of climate change; (3) improving the coverage and quality of health services addressing climate-related diseases; and (4) enhancing south-south cooperation. The regional approach will facilitate catalytic partnerships across countries, training and capacity development of climate change and health specialists in the countries, and documentation of lessons and best practices, thereby ensuring that these can be replicated and scaled-up across the region. The project will be implemented closely between WHO and Ministries of Health in participating countries.

The purpose of the consultancy is to support the activities under Outcome 1 of the project to initiate the development of the Vanuatu H-NAP.

The specific objectives are:

To assess current structure and legislation of MoH and other relevant ministries at national and provincial levels regarding activities to address climate sensitive health outcomes.
To collate, analyze and utilize information and data from vulnerability assessments and other studies to inform the proposed H-NAP development, including inputs from relevant stakeholders.
To develop a monitoring and evaluation framework and implementation roadmap, including draft indicators for climate change and health.
To ensure integration of more robust health-related co-benefits and evidence into the plan.
To facilitate the alignment of the H-NAP to the National Health Sector Strategic Plan and to the National Adaptation Plan in Vanuatu.

Deliverables

Output 1: Scoping assessment of the structure and legislation of MoH and other relevant ministries at national and provincial levels regarding activities to address climate sensitive health outcomes.

Deliverable 1.1: The list of relevant policies and plans for the H-NAP e.g., National Adaptation Plan, National Adaptation Programs of Action, Nationally Determined Contributions, Climate Vulnerability Assessments and other Health Vulnerability reports, etc.
Deliverable 1.2: Assessment tool to be used to review relevant policies and plans.
Deliverable 1.3: The drafted workplan that includes information from 1.1 and 1.2 with potential dates for consultation events and key informant interviews.

Output 2: Stakeholder mapping to identify relevant Vanuatu agencies, departments, and organizations specific climate change and health at national and sub-national levels.

Deliverable 2.1: The list of agencies and departments who are working on Climate Change and Health, with whom to engage.
Deliverable 2.2: Undertake initial key informant interviews with key staff and personnel.
Deliverable 2.3: Drafted H-NAP outline to be presented in national level consultation meeting.

Output 3: National level consultation meeting on H-NAP development and Climate Change and Health Technical Working Group meeting

Deliverable 3.1: Planned and conducted stakeholder consultation meeting to initiate H-NAP development and present findings from scoping assessment and stakeholder mapping exercises.
Deliverable 3.2: Submitted detailed outline of the H-NAP with the monitoring and evaluation framework for review by Vanuatu MHMS.
Deliverable 3.3: Submit a plan and next steps report for provincial level engagement to gather inputs and finalizing the H-NAP.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Master’s degree in public health, Health Sciences, or related field

Experience

Essential: Minimum 5 years’ experience on climate change and health impacts and adaptation in Pacific Island countries.
Experience in undertaking evaluation/review of national policies, plans, guidance, or guidelines required.

Desirable: Work experience in the WHO Western Pacific Region including Pacific Island countries or Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is desirable.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential: Specific technical knowledge on undertaking evaluation/review of national policies/plans/guidance/guidelines; strong analytical skills, knowledge of engaging climate change and health stakeholders, leading meetings, and climate change adaptation and mitigation planning and implementation.

Languages and level required:

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English

Location

Port Vila, Vanuatu, with domestic/international duty travel as required

Travel

It is required to make domestic travel to 6 provinces. Very rarely, in case the MoH requests the consultant to join an international/regional meeting, the consultant may travel.

Remuneration and budget :

Remuneration: Band B: USD 8,000/month
Living expenses: A daily allowance to cover living expenses will be payable to the consultant during their time on site in Vanuatu. The exact amount will be determined at the time of payment; however, the current rate is USD 325/day.
Expected duration of contract : July 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024 (6 months)

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