Consultant - Tobacco Control

Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical guidance on the alternative livelihoods to the tobacco growing initiative and sustainable financing for tobacco control, as well as guidance for the scale-up and launch of digital solutions for tobacco cessation.

Background

The No Tobacco Unit (TFI) is expanding its work on supply side issues of tobacco control, such as alternative livelihoods to tobacco growing in line with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) Articles 17 and 18. In many countries where tobacco production and growing are consequential, the issue of livelihoods often comes as an impediment for the implementation of strong tobacco control measures. Therefore, developing sustainable programmes that support farmers and workers in switching to more secure livelihoods will not only improve the livelihoods of farmers but will also be an effective means to facilitate the implementation of tobacco control measures in general.

To support the implementation of tobacco control measures globally, TFI is also exploring options to generate sustainable resources to finance tobacco control such as licensing fees, polluter pays principle, environmental tax, social impact bonds, etc.

Scaling up the availability of tobacco cessation support in countries is another important area of work where there is need for more support. In line with the objectives of the WHO Tobacco Cessation Consortium, TFI is continuing to expand its suite of digital products to support tobacco users to quit. The objective of the digital pillar is to scale and promote the existing digital products, and to work with leaders in the tech industry to develop new products to reach tobacco users.

Deliverables

Deliverable 1 – Contribute to the implementation and scale-up of the alternative livelihoods to tobacco growing initiative. Expected by 31 December 2023.

• 1.1: Liaise with all lead partnering agencies (WHO, FAO, WFP) at all three levels of the organization as well as other multi-sectoral partners and private sector players to ensure timely delivery of activities according to workplan
• 1.2: Coordinate high-level meetings and missions to field sites in collaboration with the country teams to facilitate implementation of activities that involve partners at global, regional and country level
• 1.3: Develop workplans, timelines and budgets in collaboration with partners, monitor progress and develop reports for project leadership
• 1.4: Provide technical guidance for the scoping and engagement of new partners, particularly in the microfinance, nutrition, environment and gender sectors.

Deliverable 2 – Contribute to the development of a report on sustainable financing options for tobacco control. Expected by Oct 31, 2023.

• 2.1: Gather international experiences from countries that have successfully implemented licensing fees, polluter pays principle, environmental tax, social impact bonds and more to generate sustainable resources for financing tobacco control
• 2.2: Coordinate the analysis of those experiences and their replicability in other countries.
• 2.3: Facilitate knowledge sharing of the findings, including through development of a report and coordination of multi-country workshops.

Deliverable 3 – Provide technical guidance for the scale-up and launch of digital tools for tobacco cessation. Expected by 31 October 2023.

• 3.1: Coordinate the marketing and scale-up of existing digital solutions for tobacco cessation, including the chatbots on WhatsApp, Viber and Facebook Messenger, as well as Florence (WHO’s AI digital health worker).
• 3.2: Facilitate engagement with new partners under the WHO Tobacco Cessation Consortium to develop new digital solutions for tobacco cessation.
• 3.3: Coordinate the implementation of the tobacco cessation app assessment framework and validation process.
• 3.4: Provide technical guidance for activities to iterate and improve digital solutions for tobacco cessation, including through testing of content libraries, audience segmentation and tailoring of content to specific markets.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• First university degree in public health, or related field.

Desirable:

• Advanced university degree in Public Health and/or International Development, or related field.

Experience

Essential:

• 5-10 years of relevant experience working in public health or related field.
• Practical technical experience in supporting Member States or WHO or any other relevant intergovernmental / non-governmental organization on tobacco control.
• Experience in project coordination in low- and middle-income settings.

Desirable:

• Working experience with WHO or any other UN organization.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Strong project coordination skills.
• Knowledge of health, environmental, and economic aspects of tobacco growing.
• Understanding of stakeholders and support needed to establish an enabling crop production and marketing ecosystem to shift tobacco farmers to alternative crops.
• Ability to engage and coordinate multi-sectoral partners in the health and related sectors.
• Knowledge of the ecosystem of digital tools for tobacco cessation and relevant players in the digital sector.
• Sound interpersonal and communication skills.

Languages required:

Essential

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable

• Intermediate knowledge of French or other official UN languages.

Location

Home based – Off-site.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B-USD 7,000-9,980 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

11 months.

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html