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Background:
Rwanda is vulnerable to the impacts of natural hazards including drought, floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, strong wind, and landslides. These hazards cause physical, socio-economic, and environmental damages and losses. Moreover, over the last decade, the frequency and intensity of natural hazard-induced disasters have significantly increased due to increase in temperature, causing negative impacts on human development, properties, infrastructures, and the environment. According to UNICEF Children’s Climate Risk Index (CCRI), which provides the first comprehensive view of children’s exposure and vulnerability to the impacts of climate change, Rwanda has a CCRI score of 5.7 out of 10 and ranks 57th out of the 163 CCRI countries and regions, placing children in Rwanda at “High” risk.
The data from the Ministry in Charge of Emergency Management (MINEMA) indicates that the country has experienced 3,309 disasters between 2011 and 2019. Several disasters were also recorded in the first five months of 2020 with huge effects. Cumulatively, these incidents cause not only deaths but also a lot of damage and loss of livelihoods and infrastructure in Rwanda. The most severe of the recent disaster event was the 2-3 May 2023 floods and landslides in the western and northern provinces of Rwanda. The floods and landslides impacted over ten districts and resulted in 135 deaths, 111 injuries, displacement approximately 18,000 people and damage of houses, health facilities, schools, bridges, water supply systems, power plants, road, and telecommunication infrastructure. The cost of disasters is estimated at USD 300 million annually in Rwanda, with potential doubling or tripling in worse years impacted by multiple hazards.
The heightened intensity and variability of extreme weather conditions seen in recent years, and which is predicted to increase— including rainfall, dry spells, and heat waves—contribute to morbidity, mortality, and damage to public health infrastructure, as well as increased infectious disease. Children are disproportionately affected by the consequences of climate change. With rising temperatures, we see extreme weather events, and in turn increased outbreaks of vector-borne diseases that often affect children worst. Regular bouts of diarrhea, as well as increased respiratory infections linked to air pollution take a toll on children’s long-term physical and mental development. Harvests also shrink, leading to food insecurity and higher food prices. Children will suffer the most through associated health problems such as malnutrition, stunted growth, weak immune systems, and long-term developmental problems.
Urgent action is needed to protect at-risk communities and prevent negative health effects, particularly among populations most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and variation on population health. Recognizing this reality, Ministry of Health (MOH), with support from UNICEF, conducted the first-of-its kind climate and health workshop in February 2024. The primary objective of the workshop is to convene all stakeholders involved in the intersection of climate and health in Rwanda—partners and government agencies alike— to chart the existing data sources related to climate in order to determine the priority research questions to address and corresponding policy considerations. The main outcome of this workshop was a comprehensive list of resolutions and actions, one of which was a health sector climate risk and vulnerability assessment, strategy, and action plan to inform policy, planning and implementation.
Purpose of Activity/Assignment:
The purpose of the consultancy is to support MOH to undertake a climate risk and vulnerability assessment for the health sector to better understand how environmental pollution and climate change are impacting and will impact the health system in Rwanda and identify strategies and actions that can be implemented. The specific objectives of this assignment are to:
Key Tasks:
The consultant will lead the following tasks, working closely with MOH managers, UNICEF and WHO technical teams.
ii)
Work Assignment Overview
Tasks/Milestone:
Deliverables/Outputs:
Payment 1: 20%
Finalize and submit inception report
Payment 2: 40%
Brief field report
• Maps-based visualization and categorization of facilities and staff
• Stakeholder workshop presentation of key findings
• Interviews and surveys with key stakeholders on field visits
• Workshop report
Payment 3: 40%
• Draft risk and vulnerability assessment report
• Draft risk mitigation strategies and action plan
• Presentation of the draft analysis and proposed mitigation strategies and actions
• Final risk and vulnerability assessment report.
• Validated strategy and action plan
Duration and Duty Location
This consultancy will be completed within 5 months. The consultant will mix working from home and in the office.
Selection Criteria
Applications shall be assessed based on their technical and financial proposals. Maximum scores for technical and financial applications will be 75% and 25%, respectively.
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
For every Child, you demonstrate…
UNICEF’s values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, Accountability, and Sustainability (CRITAS).
To view our competency framework, please visit here.
UNICEF is here to serve the world’s most disadvantaged children and our global workforce must reflect the diversity of those children. The UNICEF family is committed to include everyone, irrespective of their race/ethnicity, age, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, socio-economic background, or any other personal characteristic.
UNICEF offers reasonable accommodation for consultants with disabilities. This may include, for example, accessible software, travel assistance for missions or personal attendants. We encourage you to disclose your disability during your application in case you need reasonable accommodation during the selection process and afterwards in your assignment.
UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.
Remarks:
Individuals engaged under a consultancy will not be considered “staff members” under the Staff Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and UNICEF’s policies and procedures and will not be entitled to benefits provided therein (such as leave entitlements and medical insurance coverage). Their conditions of service will be governed by their contract and the General Conditions of Contracts for the Services of Consultants. Consultants are responsible for determining their tax liabilities and for the payment of any taxes and/or duties, in accordance with local or other applicable laws.
The selected candidate is solely responsible to ensure that the visa (applicable) and health insurance required to perform the duties of the contract are valid for the entire period of the contract. Selected candidates are subject to confirmation of fully vaccinated status against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) with a World Health Organization (WHO)-endorsed vaccine, which must be met prior to taking up the assignment. It does not apply to consultants who will work remotely and are not expected to work on or visit UNICEF premises, programme delivery locations or directly interact with communities UNICEF works with, nor to travel to perform functions for UNICEF for the duration of their consultancy contracts.