Consultant – GEF Climate Change and Health Project – Refurbishment of Healthcare Facilities in Vanuatu

Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to provide technical advice to the Vanuatu WHO Country Office, Pacific Climate Change and Environment (PCE) unit, WHO Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) office on the standards required for environmental sustainability, climate resilience, WASH and waste management facility improvement, based on WHO guidance for climate resilient and environmentally sustainable health care facilities. The consultant will evaluate the retro-fitting activities of healthcare facilities/centers of the Vanuatu Ministry of Health (MoH) based on the standards.

Background

Absent appropriate and rapid health-focused adaptation strategies, climate change has the potential to cause a range of significant negative health impacts. In Vanuatu, climate change effects human health through multiple pathways, including increased risk of water-borne diseases (e.g., diarrheal diseases) and vector-borne diseases, increased food and water insecurity leading to nutritional issues, and disruption of health systems due to climate-induced extreme weather events and sea-level rise. The combination of exposure to climatic hazards with limited capacity of the health system, including inadequate infrastructure, human resources, and supplies, as well as communities that are remote and hard to reach provide significant challenges in reducing climate change-related morbidity and mortality.

Climate change threats to health systems are particularly visible when it comes to health care facilities. The majority of populations and healthcare facilities in Vanuatu are located in close proximity to low-lying coastal areas and are highly vulnerable to cyclones, floods, storm surges, sea-level rise, and disturbances in water supply caused by drought or salination of aquifers, which are projected to increase in intensity with climate change. Damage to these buildings and essential supplies affects their capacity to provide health services during emergency situations.

In consultation with stakeholders, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) project, is designed to enhance the climate resilience of health systems in Vanuatu. Utilizing this funding, the World Health Organization (WHO), in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Vanuatu, is embarking on an initiative to refurbish several high-risk healthcare facilities/centers across Vanuatu. This project aims to enhance the environmental sustainability, climate resilience, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) and waste management facilities of these centers. The goal is to ensure that the healthcare facilities/centers are equipped to meet modern standards and can efficiently serve their communities, even in adverse conditions.

Deliverables

The Consultant will report and be guided by the Country Liaison Officer, WHO Vanuatu. The Consultant will conduct the following activities:

Output 1: Evaluation of Health Centers
Deliverable 1.1 Conduct detailed assessments of the current state of priority health centers and identify needs for refurbishment using the existing assessment tools (WHO guidance)
Deliverable 1.2 Coordinate with WHO and MOH colleagues to conduct analysis from previous assessments and build criteria for selecting health centers with high exposure to climatic hazards.

Output 2: Development of Solutions
Deliverable 2.1: Propose three distinct refurbishment solutions for each health center that meet the specified requirements. Each proposal should include technical specifications, projected outcomes, and visual plans.

Output 3: Monitoring of activities on the refurbishment works
Deliverable 3.1: Ensure that refurbishment works are carried out according to the plans, within the set timelines, and meet the expected quality standards.
Deliverable 3.2: Develop and maintain a realistic and clear schedule for the refurbishment of each health center, ensuring timely completion of the project.
Deliverable 3.3: Provide comprehensive weekly progress reports during both the solution analysis phase and the active construction phase.
Deliverable 3.4: Monitor and track project expenditures, provide timely warnings to Responsible Officer about potential delays or budget overruns, and suggest corrective actions.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: A University degree in Water Supply and Sanitation Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Water Resources or Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering, or a directly related field.

Experience

Essential: Minimum five years’ experience in coordination of WASH projects including preferably in healthcare settings. Experience working with green technologies and disaster-resistant constructions.
Desirable: Practical knowledge with WASH standards and implementations in healthcare facilities is highly desirable. Work experience in the WHO Western Pacific Region including Pacific Island countries or Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is desirable.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential: Strong technical skills in drafting plans and developing BOQs. Excellent project management, communication, and organizational skills.

Languages and level required:

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English

Location

Port Vila, Vanuatu, with domestic/international duty travel as required.

Travel

It is required to make domestic travel to 6 provinces. Very rarely, in case the MoH requests the consultant to join an international/regional meeting, the consultant may travel.

Remuneration and budget :

a. Remuneration: Band B: US$8000/month
b. Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited): A daily allowance to cover living expenses will be payable to the consultant during their time on site in Vanuatu. The exact amount will be determined at the time of payment, however, the current rate is US$ 325 per day.
c. Expected duration of contract : 1 August 2024 – 31 January 2025 (6 months)

Additional Information

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