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International Consultant - Climate change and DRM Capacity Development
WHO Country Office, Honiara, Solomon Islands

1.      Purpose of the Consultancy

The Consultant will provide technical assistance to the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), through the World Health Organization in providing technical assistance in the capacity development of public health and clinical workforce on control and prevention of climate sensitive health risks (CSHRs), as well as disaster risk management (DRM) for health.

2.      Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) in the Solomon Islands is supporting the MHMS in increasing the health sector climate resilience capacity and reduce the health sector climate change footprint.

A strong public health and clinical workforce is essential to deliver health sector responsibilities in relation to climate-related diseases. The ongoing development of the health-National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP) in its consultations phase showed that there is limited awareness in climate change and health risks and adaptation among the health workforces.

The capacity development of public health and clinical workforce aim to strengthen the health sector response to climate health risks and disaster management. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides indispensable support to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) by offering technical expertise, resources, and guidance. This support is vital for strengthening the health workforce capacity in the prevention and control of CSHRs and disaster management at the facility and community level increasing Solomon Islands understanding and resilience to climate change impacts.

3.      Deliverables

Under the direct supervision of the Technical Officer on Health Emergencies-Epidemiology and the managerial support of the Project Officer – Climate Change and Health, and in collaboration with the MHMS and concerned stakeholders, the Consultant will:

Output 1: Refine and finalizethe training package (materials and plan) for in-service healthcare personnel on CC&H impacts, prevention and control of climate sensitive diseases based on baseline knowledge assessment.

Deliverable 1.1: Support the Ministry of Health and Medical Services through the WHO to update in service training to include climate health risk in collaboration with SINU.

Deliverable 1.2: CHSR and DRM training material and training plan for in service healthcare personnel for approval MHMS Executive approval and integration into Solomon Islands National University (SINU) health programs.

Output 2: Conduct training targeting public health and clinical service personnel at health centers and clinic level on CC&H impacts and the prevention/control of CSHRs during pre-service and in-service training including capacity development workshops aimed to empower nurses on how they can influence and guide WASH improvements at their local facility to development of improvement plans and community engagement skills in two prioritized provinces.

Deliverable 2.1: Training report of public health and clinical service personnel at health centers and clinic level on CC&H impacts and the prevention/control of CSHRs at target facilities.

Deliverable 2.2: WASH Training Report. Documentation of training activities conducted for healthcare staff, including objectives, participant details, content covered, and outcomes (deliverable 4 & % can be merged at the discretion of the consultant)

Deliverable 2.3: Develop a training plan for MHMS Executive approval and integration into Solomon Islands National University (SINU) health programs.

Output 3: Develop materials and conduct learning sessions with the National Health Training and Research Institute (NHRTI) on CC&H research methods.

Deliverable 3.1: Support the Ministry of Health and Medical Services to update and broaden NHRTI research capacity to include CC&H methods.

Deliverable 3.2:  Develop learning material on Research Methods for the Study of Climate Change and contribute to technical publications and WHO/MHMS reporting.

Output 4: WASH Roadmap for Healthcare facilities

Deliverable 4.1: Support the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, through WHO, to develop a WASH roadmap working closely with RWASH program and stakeholders.

Deliverable 4.2:  National WASH Roadmap for healthcare facilities which aims to assist the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, to visualise how WASH improvements in healthcare settings can be achieved, providing actionable activities which build on the current situation, mapping out opportunities for collaboration and leveraging of funds.

Output 5: WASH Technical Support to MHMS

Deliverable 5.1: Coordinate WHO/MHMS teams and provincial health authorities to facilitate the implementation of WASH standards in healthcare facilities, including policy alignment, and capacity building to strengthen compliance and service delivery.

Deliverable 5.2: Final assignment report summarizing overall achievements, challenges encountered, and key lessons learned during the contract period, including detailed summaries of all duty trips undertaken to support WASH implementation activities.

4.        Specific requirements

Qualifications required:

Essential: Master’s degree in public health, or related field of study

Desirable: Post Graduate Qualification in Climate Change and or Disaster Risk Management required.

Experience required:

Essential: 5 years at the national level, in Climate Change and Health, Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Risk Management, Environmental Epidemiology, or another related field. Experience in Developing training material and conducting training is essential.

Desirable: Experience working in the Pacific region SIDS is an added advantage. International and National experience working with the government agencies including the ministries responsible for health, international organizations in the Solomon Islands will be an advantage.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

·         Proficiency in the development and implementation of CC&H capacity development programs.

·         Proficiency in public health knowledge assessments

·         Good facilitation and communication skills

·         Strong reporting skills.

Language requirements:

·         A high level of written and spoken proficiency in English

5.        Place of assignment

Onsite: WHO Country Office, Honiara, Solomon Islands

6.        Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel according to the activity specification, as especially to the priority provinces for the project.

7.        Remuneration

a.  USD 6,300 per month

b.  11 months contract