Purpose of the consultancy
The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical and organizational support for the Global SAFER initiative.
Background
The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with international partners, launched the SAFER initiative in 2018 alongside the United Nations third high-level meeting on prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). SAFER was
developed to support countries deliver health and development gains in order to meet global, regional and country health and development goals and targets and to reduce human suffering and pain caused by the harmful use of alcohol.
The objective of the initiative is to provide support for Member States in reducing the harmful use of alcohol by strengthening the ongoing implementation of the Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol and other WHO and United Nations
instruments – including WHO’s Global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) target 3.5 (i.e. Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse,
including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol).
The implementation of SAFER in countries will be coordinated by the SAFER Secretariat, which consists of staff across WHO headquarters, regional offices and the Secretariat of the UN Interagency Task Force on NCDs. SAFER will use a set of WHO tools and resources to provide support to countries in implementing the most cost-effective interventions (“best buys”) for preventing and reducing alcohol-related harm.
1. A WHO-led technical guidance on effective policy and program interventions.
2. A WHO/UN-led operational programme focusing on country action.
3. A multi-stakeholder communications and advocacy campaign
Within this context, the Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours (ADA) unit at the Department of Mental Health and Substance Use in WHO is seeking support to moving forward SAFER and generate impact at country level. Specific objectives of the ADA unit are as follows: (a) support implementation of the Global strategy to reduce the harmful use of alcohol through coordinated global actions; (b) develop and disseminate technical guidance for implementation of effective and cost‐effective strategies and interventions to prevent and reduce public health problems associated with the use of alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours; (c) develop and disseminate technical tools for prevention, identification, diagnosis, treatment and management of health conditions due to substance use and addictive behaviours; and, (d) generate, collate, compile and disseminate reliable information on the health impact of alcohol, drugs and addictive behaviours as well as health policy and health system responses.
Specific activities for the consultancy
This contract will include the following activities:
1. Contribute to planning, undertaking and following up of SAFER activities with and in countries:
- Conduct desk research and contribute to assessing exiting institutional capacity and potential technical support needs to effectively implement the SAFER interventions at country level.
- Provide support in preparations for country missions (in-person or virtual), including agreement on dates, development of terms of reference, agendas, presentations and engagement of SAFER partners and country stakeholders.
- Support, as requested, organization of online and face to face workshops and seminars to facilitate sharing of national, regional, and global experiences and knowledge in alcohol policy advocacy, development and implementation and preparation for national implementation of the SAFER interventions through draft roadmaps by countries.
- Contribute to development of SAFER communities of best practice and other platform(s) for countries to share knowledge and experiences to stimulate collective learning on best ways to advance national alcohol control policy in general and particularly implementation of the SAFER interventions.
2. Contribute to project management of the Global SAFER initiative:
- Convene SAFER Secretariat and partnership meetings, including developing the agenda, drafting and circulating the minutes and contribute to developing workplan and project plans for the initiative
- Contribute to finalization of the SAFER monitoring system
- Contribute to developing tools and instruments that can support governments in their efforts to protect and advance the development, implementation and evaluation of the SAFER interventions on public health grounds.
- Contribute to development and dissemination of SAFER technical guidance.
- Provide timely and effective support for developing and maintaining the SAFER web pages, newsletters and other advocacy product associated with the SAFER initiative.
- Facilitate selected SAFER internal working groups and report to SAFER Secretariat.
Start date: 15 August 2021 or ASAP.
End date: 15 July 2022 or after 11 months.
Specific requirements
Qualifications required
- Degree in social, health or political sciences, economy, business and public administration or other relevant to the tasks to be performed.
- Preferable: Master’s Degree or equivalent in Public Management, Public Health, Political Science or another relevant subject. Studies in international relations and/or on alcohol and tobacco control.
Experience required
- At least 3 years of demonstrated experience in the field of international public health, including understanding of relevant stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience in management and implementation of projects/programmes, cross-country initiatives
- Experience in working with multi-stakeholder partnerships.
- Previous experience or working with the UN system or WHO will be an asset.
Skills/technical skills and knowledge
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
- Ability to work independently, produce high quality outputs.
- Knowledge about noncommunicable disease, the public health dimension of alcohol and development dimensions of health.
- Ability to clearly and briefly generate and communicate insights based on analysis of data.
- Demonstrated flexibility to excel in a multi-cultural environment.
Language requirements
- Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
- Desirable: Advanced knowledge of French and another WHO Official Language is advantageous.
Place of assignment
The consultant will be contracted to work in their normal place of residence, i.e. will not be expected to be based in Geneva.
Travel
There will be some travel associated with this consultancy, for example to participate in missions, strategic discussions, donor meetings and other activities where these need to be face-to-face. All travel arrangements will be made by WHO. WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance in line with the instructions applicable locally, or up to the maximum of the UN DSA. The Consultant may apply for a UN Certificate prior to travelling. Visas requirements: it is the Consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.
Application process
Persons interested and with experience as outlined in the requirements are requested to submit a cover letter outlining pertinent experience and skills to conduct the work proposed, a financial proposal and a CV by 18 June 2021 to the Alcohol, Drugs and Addictive Behaviours unit with subject line: “SAFER consultancy”.
Applications received after this date will not be accepted.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Proposals received from this posting may be used to fill future openings requiring a similar skill set.
