Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to ensure the timely and effective functioning of the ACE workplan and contribute to the strategic implementation of the New Regional Vision and the Fourteenth General Programme of Work of WHO (GPW14). The consultant will provide expert guidance to the WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health (ACE) and the senior management of the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO), focusing on development of the ACE 10-year strategy, strengthening advocacy, engaging high-level officials, mobilizing resources, and advancing initiatives to support Pacific Island Countries and other vulnerable member states impacted by climate change.

Background

Accelerating action on environment, climate change, and health is an area of major focus within the Regional Vision: Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025−2029) endorsed at the 75th session of the Regional Committee Meeting of the WHO Western Pacific. ACE is well positioned to provide instrumental contribution in operationalising the Vision, in particular accelerating actions in priority areas such as in building climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health systems and facilities, achieving universal health care, strengthening surveillance on climate and health, promoting resilient communities and scaling up healthy settings.

Established in 2019 through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between WHO and the Ministry of Environment of the Republic of Korea (MOE) and the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG), ACE aims to strengthen scientific information for policymaking, assist Member States in policy development and implementation, and support technical capacities and programs with partners. Following the Mid-Term Evaluation of ACE in April 2024, ACE convened the Strategic Planning Meeting in August 2024 to assess ACE’s progress, identify challenges, and provide strategic recommendations. Incorporating these recommendations, an initial draft ACE 10-year Strategic Plan and Road Map for 2025-2034 was, in December 2024.

WHO will hire a short-term consultant to support the finalization of this strategic document and initiate its implementation by engaging relevant stakeholders. The consultant will be guided by the Director of ACE as the first-level supervisor and the Director of Programme Management (DPM) as the second-level supervisor and liaise closely with the technical staff at ACE and WHO relevant technical units and experts.

Deliverables

4.1 Support finalization and timely and effective Implementation of the ACE 10-Year Strategic Plan
a)    Lead the development of the ACE 10-year strategy and road map under strategic guidance of the ACE management and in close in collaboration with senior health policy expert.
b)    Develop a communication and engagement plan on ACE strategy.
c)    Assist in preparing for and conducting the consultation meetings with the Ministry of Environment (MoE), the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG), and key domestic and regional partner institutions for feedback and discussion.
d)    Lead and facilitate the development of a full draft strategic document, the consultation with MoE, SMG and Member States and prepare an advanced version.
e)    Support the finalization of the document reflecting the comments from final round of review by the Strategy Working Group and WHO internal clearance process.
f)     Support the ACE management and technical staff in transition to and initiate implementation of the strategy.

4.2  Support the establishment of a Working Group of Senior Experts
a)    Assist in establishing a team of Senior Experts (Strategic Consultants) to provide high-level advocacy, resource mobilization, and technical expertise for ACE.
b)    Support the Director of ACE in managing and coordinating the team’s contributions to enhance ACE’s operational efficiency and strategic impact.

4.3  Develop and support implementation of a Resource Mobilization Strategy for ACE
a)    Engage with potential donors, such as the Green Climate Fund, Global Environment Facility, and other international financial partners, to support ACE’s objectives.
b)    Formulate a comprehensive strategy to secure funding for ACE’s priority projects.
c)    Support the development of project proposals aimed at mobilizing resources for climate-resilient and sustainable health systems in Pacific Island Countries and other vulnerable regions.

4.4  Support the development and promotion of the Protocol on Climate, Health, and Sea-Level Rise
a)    Lead and facilitate the development of the protocol, ensuring it addresses public health impacts of climate change and sea-level rise, responds to the specific challenges and needs of vulnerable areas, populations and aligns with the regional needs and WHO’s objectives.
b)    Develop the Information Package on the Protocol on Climate, Health and Sea-Level Rise, in collaboration with the relevant WHO programmes and WHO Collaborating Centres.
c)    Engage with the Pacific regional networks on environment, climate and health, Member States and relevant stakeholders, in particular advocate for and seek inputs on the Protocol at the Pacific Health Ministers meeting to be held in Samoa in 2025.
d)    Support the Director of ACE for the promotion of the Protocol on Climate, Health, and Sea-Level Rise at high-profile international for a – COP30 in Brazil in November 2025.

4.5  Provide strategic and technical support to ACE management and staff
a)    Serve as WHO’s resource person and participate in the Asia-Pacific Global Health Innovation Hackathon (17-18 January 2025, Singapore), as per the pre-agreement with DSI.
b)    Represent WHO on topics of climate change, health, and health innovation, contributing expertise to address health challenges arising from climate change.
c)    Assist in the preparation and implementation of an information session on Climate Change, Health, and Sea-Level Rise for environmental journalists in the Western Pacific, aimed at enhancing their capacity to report on climate-health intersections.
d)    Offer expert-level strategic and technical support to the Head of ACE and the Director of Programme Management (DPM) as needed.
e)    Respond to specific requests from ACE leadership and staff to address emerging issues, deliver technical insights, and support high-priority initiatives.

Output/s

Output 1:  ACE 10-year strategy development (10 February – 12 December 2025)
Deliverable 1.1:  Annotated outline, a zero draft (v.0) prepared
Deliverable 1.2:  Communication and engagement plan on ACE strategy developed
Deliverable 1.3:  Inputs to the consultation meeting and stakeholder engagement
Deliverable 1.4:  Full advanced draft
Deliverable 1.5:  Support provided in the initial implementation of ACE strategy.

Output 2:  Support to the Working Group of Senior Experts (10 February – 10 March 2025)
Deliverable 2.1:  ToR of the team of Senior Experts (Strategic Consultants) prepared and team established.
Deliverable 2.2: Inputs provided in the preparation for and organization of the Strategic Experts meeting.

Output 3:  Resource Mobilization Strategy for ACE (30 April – 12 Dec 2025)
Deliverable 3.1:   Mapping of potential donors and notes of meeting with key donors
Deliverable 3.2:   Strategy for the Sustainable Resource Mobilization of the ACE for 2025-2028 (draft) prepared for internal review and clearance
Deliverable 3.3:   Project proposal/s developed and submitted to the potential donor/s

Output 4:  Development and promotion of the Protocol on Climate, Health, and Sea-Level Rise
(10 March to 30 November 2025)
Deliverable 4.1:  Initial draft prepared and peer reviewed by WHO technical teams, Working Group of Senior Experts, and CCE TAG
Deliverable 4.2:  Information package and advanced version of the Protocol prepared
Deliverable 4.3:  Protocol initiative disseminated and discussed at the Pacific Health Ministers meeting
Deliverable 4.4:  Protocol advocacy event conducted at COP30 in Brazil

Output 5:  Strategic and technical support to ACE (20 January – 10 Dec 2025)
Deliverable 5.1:  Technical support provided to the Asia-Pacific Global Health Innovation Hackathon as requested by DSI
Deliverable 5.2:  Technical documents (e.g. programme with script, presentations, information note) and summary report on the Journalist Information Session.
Deliverable 5.3:  Technical contributions provided at key events on environment, climate change and health (ppt presentations and panel intervention)

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:  Essential: Advanced degree (master’s level or higher) in public health, environmental health, or a related field.
Desirable: Doctoral degree in public health or environmental health.

Experience:

Essential: At least 10 years of experience in global health policy development and implementation, with a focus on environmental health and climate change.
Desirable:  Experience in project development and resource mobilization, knowledge of WHO policies and programs and knowledge and experience of working in the WHO geographically disbursed office.

Skills/Knowledge:

• General knowledge of principles and practices in environmental health and climate change.
• Proven ability to develop and advocate for public health policies, programmes and standards.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.

Languages and level required:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English (reading, writing, and speaking).

Location

Off site: Home-based; teleworking in principle

Travel

The Consultant is expected to conduct the assigned tasks online remotely. When necessary, travel to and stay in Seoul, Republic of Korea, in order to work in the ACE, will be requested by supervisors. Additional duty travels may be required to attend at the WHO events, meet with the senior management of WHO, relevant staff in WHO country offices, the stakeholders of Member States, and the donors.

Remuneration and budget:

Remuneration: USD 50,000 (Total contract total value)
Expected duration of contract:   6 months

Additional Information:

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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements