Background and objectives
As a development agency, UNDP focuses on addressing social, structural, economic, commercial and environmental determinants of health, which are primarily responsible for health inequalities. In so doing, the organization leverages its extensive presence and networks at global, regional and country levels, its mandate to work broadly – to connect the dots – across development sectors, and its commitment to integrated and innovative solutions to the most pressing development challenges.
As described in UNDP’s HIV, Health and Development Strategy, UNDP is engaged in the implementation of the WHO FCTC. As such, UNDP is working with the WHO FCTC and Parties to support tobacco control including through the publication of several key tobacco control knowledge products such as investment cases, sectoral briefs, SDG briefs and advocacy materials.

The Online Volunteer will use desk research to conduct Institutional Context Analyses (ICAs) as part of national Investment Cases on tobacco control, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), mental health, alcohol control, road safety, health taxes and other investment cases related to health. The Online Volunteer will be assigned a country or countries and will use UNDP’s relevant Guidance Note to work independently on the following tasks: summarize the scope of the problem, historical and present barriers to adoption, institutional and governance arrangements and capacities, political economy drivers, in addition to proposing priority actions. UNDP Health and Development Unit will provide required information and guidance. Upon completion, the online volunteer will be given due credit and receive a Certificate of Appreciation for their contribution. No financial compensation is provided for this online volunteering opportunity.

The Online Volunteers are expected to have experience with desk research, analyses of policy environment/political economy, referencing, and excellent writing skills in English. At minimum, a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in public health, international development, international relations, law, political sciences, economics or a relevant field is needed to perform this task. Experience and/or interest in health issues and health taxation are considered assets.