Purpose of consultancy
To provide technical guidance and input to the collaborative efforts of the Environment, Climate Change and Health (ECH) department and the Special Envoy (SE) to strengthen partnerships, raise awareness, and contribute to the policy and technical contributions towards the implementation of the public health response to climate change.
Background
Within WHO’s Division of Healthier Populations (HEP), the ECH Department works to assess the health implications of environmental risk factors, and includes a dedicated team, specifically working on Climate Change and Health (CCH unit) with the objective of providing international leadership of a comprehensive health response to climate change, which enhances population resilience to climate risks, and health-promoting climate change mitigation policies. WHO's work on climate change is mandated and guided by a World Health Assembly Resolution (61.19), and a work plan approved by the WHO Executive Board in its 136th session, and includes strengthening partnerships, raising awareness, promoting and guiding the generation of scientific evidence, and providing policy and technical expertise to the implementation of the public health response to climate change.
During 2023, WHO appointed Dr Vanessa Kerry as WHO Director-General’s Special Envoy (SE) with respect to Climate Change and Health, underscoring WHO's commitment to prioritizing climate change and its impact on global health. Through her leadership, Dr Kerry contributes to WHO's work in shaping policies, fostering collaborations, and driving transformative action to protect and promote the health of populations in the face of climate challenges.
- The WHO SE will pursue this vision through high-level advocacy to advance WHO's strategy and public health messages on climate and health to impact WHO's work and improve the health and well-being of all.
- The WHO SE will engage with all stakeholders, including governments, their institutions, and non-State actors. National governments are expected to adopt WHO's guidance, adapt it to their national context, and align with assistance from other stakeholders.
- The WHO SE will further WHO guidance and public health messages on climate and health when meeting leaders within governments or high-level individuals. These interactions will contribute to greater engagement and commitment to implementing this guidance.
Deliverables
Output 1: Provide technical guidance to the ECH Director’s office and Special Envoy with respect to high-level advocacy, advancing WHO’s strategy and public health messaging with respect to global climate change and health:
Activity 1.1: Contribute to the coordination, awareness, and outreach to convene the growing group of health professionals and civil society organizations engaged in this issue, using existing platforms such as the WHO-Civil Society Working Group on Climate and Health, the WHO Youth Council, and the Climate x Health collaboration.
Activity 1.2: Performing relevant and targeted research and writing for a range of audiences, including but not limited to white papers, academic manuscripts, speech writing, and talking point preparation.
Activity 1.3: Contribute to the convening of various global events on CCH, including but not limited to representing the Special Envoy role, as delegated by WHO.
Activity 1.4: Meeting preparation, coordination, as required.
Output 2: Resource Mobilization
Activity 2.1: Contribute to the mobilization of resources to strengthen the implementation of WHO guidance at national, regional, and global levels by developing funding proposals in collaboration with relevant partners on climate change and health, according to WHO guidelines and policies, including FENSA and to assist in key workstreams of the ECH and SE.
Output 3: Provide strategic advice to decision-makers
Activity 3.1: Contribute to the provision of strategic advice to external stakeholders and decision-makers to help strengthen and position WHO regarding climate change and health in line with WHO policy and guidance.
Activity 3.2: Engaging with the SE and ECH to ensure integration of climate and health country-level work with WHO global advocacy and policy work.
Output 4: Contribute to the engagement and coordination across WHO Departments
Activity 4.1: Contribute to the research and collaborate across WHO Departments to integrate climate change and health with other workstreams, assisting the overall position of climate change in WHO’s global program of work as well as other initiatives, e.g., workforce, universal health care, pandemic preparedness, global health security.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational qualifications
Essential: Minimum first university degree, and up to 5 years of relevant experience in Public Health, Environmental health, epidemiology, or equivalent.
Experience
Essential:
- 3 to 5 years of experience with the technical and scientific areas addressed under the WHO work plan on Health and Climate Change.
- Experience in high-level event planning involving representatives from governments, multilateral, and non-governmental organizations.
Skills/Knowledge
- Demonstrated ability to provide advice and policy recommendations to senior management, government officials, and other relevant stakeholders based on sound evidence.
- Demonstrated ability to lead project work related to climate change and health, including in climate change and public health strategy development involving stakeholder engagement and consultation.
Languages and level required
Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Spanish, or other UN languages.
Technical Supervision
The Climate Change and Health team - If you are interested, please send your CVs to healthclimate@who.int and add “Consultant - Environment, Climate Change and Health (ECH) department and Special Envoy for Climate Change and Health” in the email's subject by COB 20 April 2024.
Download the full Terms of Reference