Consultant - Climate Change and Health in Healthcare Facilities

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Qualifications

Purpose of the Consultancy

The Technical Unit defines, in a few lines, the expected outcome(s) of the consultancy work. The objective of this paragraph is to help bidders/individuals to immediately understand what is expected, and to see if they have the required skills and competencies to apply.

- To enhance the capacity of 43 health facilities in the selected vulnerable area of Akkar to respond to climate-induced health risks.

- To assist health care professionals in understanding and preparing for the health risks associated with climate change.

2.       Background

*The Technical Unit gives a quick overview of the overall project, defines its overall objectives, main steps and actions, timelines, funding, donor’s expectations, etc… The objective of this paragraph is to help potential candidates to understand how the consultancy contract will contribute to the overall project.

The programme aims to contribute to strengthening synergies between Climate Change Adaptation and risk reduction in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region through mainstreaming a gender-sensitive human mobility lens into national public health adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategies. This MPTF joint 24-month programme covers Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon and is funded by the Migration Multi-Partner Trust Fund (MMPTF) and implemented by IOM as the Convening Agent and WHO and UNDRR as the Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs). The MMPTF program project was launched at regional level in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon during a meeting held in April 2024.

In Lebanon, the programme was developed in close coordination with the Ministry of Public Health which formally signed the proposal document to ensure alignment with national strategies and objectives.  IOM, WHO and UNDRR launched the joint project in Lebanon during a joint coordination workshop held in May 2024 to determine project activities’ location, scope, objectives, and ensure complementarity between respective agencies’ activities. The above-mentioned workshop included presentations delivered by IOM, WHO and UNDRR on the available data on Climate change and health, Disaster risk reduction (DRR) and health risks, and an open discussion with participants representing academia and NGOs to identify the priority geographical region for project intervention, the data shows that Akkar is on the top priority for such intervention.

 The structure for managing and coordinating the joint program requires the establishment the Programme Steering Committee for each of the target countries. The Project Steering Committee in Lebanon is under establishment, and it is led by MOPH and includes representatives from the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Interior, the Resident Coordinator’s Office in Lebanon, Health and Environment NGO (HERA) and Amel Association (health-focused local NGO) in addition to IOM, WHO and UNDRR.

In this context, WHO are planning to conduct an assessment of all 43 health facilities capacities in the selected area (Akaar) to respond to climate-induced health risks. The assessment will encompass the following domains: i) Health workforce; ii) Water, sanitation, hygiene, and health care waste management) iii) Energy: energy services sustained; and iv) Infrastructure, technologies, and products. The results/findings of the survey will be presented during a national sensitization work for government officials, main stakeholders, civil society. Draft recommendations for healthcare facilities will be developed based on the lesson learned. In addition, the WHO will conduct capacity-building sessions for healthcare professionals to respond to health threats exacerbated by climate change based on the assessment. WHO will also be involved in the RCCE activities on climate change and health.

Work to be performed:

Output 1: An assessment conducted on the capacities of 43 health facilities, (3 private hospitals, 1 governmental hospital, 39 PHCs in Akkar region) to respond to climate-induced health risks in a selected vulnerable region selected with migrant/refugees -inclusive and gender sensitive lenses (Akkar)

 Tasks:

Task 1.1: Develop an assessment tool adapted and based on WHO tools and guidelines (WHO guidance on climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health care facilities and WHO checklist to assess vulnerabilities of health care facilities in the context of climate change)  and other relevant resources.

Task 1.2: Facilitate training for the surveyors

Task 1.3: Pilot testing the tool, data collection, quality control of data entry and data analysis

Task 1.4: Report writing

Deliverables:

Deliverable 1.1: submit the final assessment tool.

Deliverable 1.2: Develop the training programme, PowerPoint presentations, and the training report.

Deliverable 1.3: Collect and present the raw data of the assessment exercise.

Deliverable 1.4: Write and submit the final report of the assessment including data analysis, results/findings and recommendations.

Output 2: Present the results/findings of the assessment on health facilities capacities to respond to climate-induced health risks presented in a sensitization workshop.

Tasks:

Task 2.1 Present the results/findings of the assessment in a sensitization workshop.

Deliverables:

Deliverable 2.1: Submit the presentation of the results of the assessment findings and related report

Output 3: Develop a booklet/fact sheets and policy briefs on action-oriented steps/recommendations for HCFs and a concept note on climate change and health. 

Tasks:

Task 3.1: Develop a booklet on action-oriented steps/recommendations for HCFs developed and a concept note on climate change.

Deliverables:

Deliverable 3.1: Demonstrate the final booklet/fact sheets and policy briefs, a concept note, and copies of designed and printed copies of the booklet in close collaboration with WHO Lebanon office.

Specific requirements

- Qualification requirements:

Advanced University degree (Master’s degree) in Environmental Health and/or Public Health.

- Desirable: 

PHD in Public Health

Experience required:

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.) for data analysis and reporting

- Interpersonal and organizational skills

-Good writing and communication skills

- Language requirements:

Expert knowledge of English and Arabic (Read, Write, speak)

Place of assignment

Where is the Consultant expected to perform her/his work (please pay particular attention to the visa requirements if any) – Does this require travel?

Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.