Purpose of the Consultancy
The consultant provides expert content, methodological and logistical support for the retrieval, summary and assessment of evidence on multisectoral actions and policies to support management of children and adolescents with obesity, including 1) obesogenic factors/determinants 2) Behavioural, contextual, commercial and physiological determinants of obesity 3) Stakeholders and sectors 4) Actions and politics of mitigation (Health in all policies - HiAP and multisectoral interventions) and 5) A protocol in obesogenic factors and physiological impacts: part 1: Risk assessment of food additives and their role in hormonal imbalance.
Background
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the United Nations (UN) Decade of Action on Nutrition 2016- 2025 have revitalized momentum for improving nutrition and have affirmed a clear leadership role for WHO. Nutrition contributes directly to achieving the 2030 sustainable development goals (SDG), particularly SDG2 (End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture) and is a decisive enabler of SDG3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages). The UN General Assembly Resolution 70/259 proclaims 2016-2025 to be the UN Decade of Action on Nutrition and specifically called upon WHO and FAO to lead its implementation. In 2012, Member States endorsed six global targets for improving maternal, infant and young child nutrition. These targets, set for 2025, are vital for identifying priority areas for action and catalysing global change. In addition, the Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD) 2013-2020 lays out diet-related NCD targets.
WHO and national guidelines provide a wealth of information on overweight and obesity prevention. Recommendations on weight management strategies for children and adolescents are less common. Current management strategies for children and adolescents 0-19 years of age with obesity highlight the importance of multimodal interventions to address diet, increase physical activity and foster lifestyle and behaviour changes. There is a need to develop and integrate interventions that consider the role of schools in managing children and adolescents with overweight and obesity as well as how mobile and portable technology and social media may support multicomponent treatment approaches. The effect of socio-economic circumstances on weight management interventions require further consideration, including but not limited to access to healthy foods, the accessibility of leisure and sporting facilities and access to health care. Public policies and decisions made in all sectors out of the health care and at different levels of governance can play a positive or negative role on this problem. Reason why some approaches such as Health in all policies (HiAP) have been promoted to tackle health determinants, engage stakeholders and find synergies across sectors to avoid harmful impacts. The Operational framework for primary health care: transforming vision into action provides stakeholders with a series of levers to help countries and communities adopt a PHC approach and work to strengthen health systems as a way to achieve universal health coverage. Core strategic levers include political commitment and leadership, governance and policy frameworks, funding and allocation of resources and engagement of community and other stakeholders. The operational levers include models of care, primary health care workforce, physical infrastructure, medicines and other health products, engagement with private sector providers, purchasing and payment systems, digital technologies for health, systems for improving the quality of care, primary healthcare-oriented research and monitoring and evaluation.
Work to be performed
Specific tasks to be performed are to support the preparation of the component of multisectoral policies and actions for the normative work on WHO guideline: Management of infants and children at high risk (excessive adiposity) and children with obesity for improved health, functioning and reduced disability: a primary health care approach and WHO guideline: Management of adolescents 10-19 years of age with obesity for improved health, functioning and reduced disability: a primary health care approach. This will include the technical and logistics preparation of a Technical consultation on Multisectoral Actions and Policies in Obesity: scope and purpose, agenda, list of participants to be convened by WHO as part of this process.
This component of Primary Health Care related to multisectoral actions and policies in obesity involve policy design, policy implementation and other actions related to health and other sectors (for example, social protection, housing, education, agriculture, finance and industry) carried out collaboratively or alone, which address social, economic and environmental determinants of health and associated commercial factors or improve health and well-being in coherence with the treatment recommendations for children and adolescents with obesity.
Specific requirements on qualification, experience, skills and languages
Educational qualifications:
Essential: Advanced university degree in nutrition science, epidemiology, biochemistry, physiology, food science, public health, or other related areas. Master degree in food engineering, public health, nutrition or relevant field.
Experience:
Essential:
- At least 7 years' experience in development work and /or designing and managing global projects, interacting with social partners and with governments, international organisations, research institutions, civil society and the private sector.
- Advanced knowledge or experience in a manufacturing environment, preferably in operations and supply chain.
- Experience working in international environments with multidisciplinary teams.
Desirable:
Oral and written communication skills and effective interpersonal skills
Organizational and analytical skills. Strong ability to observe, analyze and interpret information, define methods and implement processes.
Skills/knowledge:
Understanding and knowledge of the World Health Organization, the UN System and familiarity with the global nutrition architecture, indicatives and programmes.
Experience of food safety and quality processes
Knowledge of project management skills and strategic thinking
Computer literacy: word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.
Endnotes, RevMan and GRADE Profiler desirable.
Language requirements:
Essential: Expert knowledge of English
Desirable: Additional WHO official languages would be an asset.
Dates and Duty Station
Dates:
Start date: 7 July 2021
End date: 30 December 2021
Duty station:
Consultant’s place of residence.
How to apply
Interested parties should prepare their CV in WHO format Stellis here: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl then download the CV in PDF format and submit it to obesity@who.int with a short cover letter by 2 July 2021.