Consultant – Health and Human Rights

Purpose of consultancy

The consultant will contribute to the development of technical products on health and human rights as well as capacity building materials and tools on the human rights-based approach to health. The consultant will provide technical input into research, organization of technical consultations and production of materials (such as background papers and presentations) in relation to the development of these products.

Background

In its 13th General Programme of Work (GPW13), WHO commits to “the implementation of gender equality, equity and human rights-based approaches to health that enhance participation, build resilience, and empower communities” and to a strategic shift in stepping up leadership in gender, equity and human rights across the three levels of the organization.

In November 2023, the WHO Secretariat launched a Roadmap to Advance Gender Equality, Human Rights and Health Equity (2023-2030). The Roadmap aims for a fit-for-purpose Secretariat where every WHO department and office is ready and able to support Member Sates to implement gender-responses approaches; respect, protect and fulfil health-related rights; and identify, monitor and address health inequities.

Implementation of the Roadmap is coordinated by the Gender, Rights and Equity (GRE) Department within the Director-General’s office and will be pursued through leadership; capacity building; production of resources and tools; provision of technical assistance; organizational systems to improve planning, implementation and reporting; accountability mechanisms; as well as through support to a 3-level programme and network of technical focal points in all WHO departments and offices.

The consultant will contribute towards the implementation of the Roadmap.

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: Provide technical input into the conceptualization of a technical product on human rights-based approach to health.
  Expected by: June 2024
• Deliverable 2: Provide technical input into the process to develop a technical product on human rights based approach to health, including conducting research, organizing meetings of a steering group and of technical consultations.
  Expected by: September 2024
• Deliverable 3: Provide technical input on health-related topics to be submitted to relevant human rights mechanisms.
  Expected by: October 2024
• Deliverable 4: Develop capacity building materials on health and human rights, and arrange subsequent capacity building sessions.
  Expected by: November 2024
• Deliverable 5: Provide technical input into the finalization of a technical product on human rights based approach to health, and to development of a dissemination plan.
  Expected by: February 2025
• Deliverable 6: Provide technical input into the development of tools, fact sheets, and other derivative products for the rollout and implementation of the technical product on human rights based approach to health.
  Expected by: April 2025

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in one of the following: international law, international human rights law, development studies, public health, political science, or related social science field.

Desirable:

• PhD or post-graduate work and/or fellowship in international human rights law and public health.

Experience:

Essential:

• Over 10 years of relevant experience, including at international level, in the areas of health and human rights; legal, policy and programmatic analysis; research; writing; and training and/or capacity building.
• Experience in conducting health and human rights research, projects, and/or programmes, including in low- and middle-income countries.
• Experience in working in UN funds, agencies and programmes, and with civil society organizations.
• Experience in desk research (peer reviewed and grey literature), writing and editing on health and human rights topics.

Desirable:

• Previous experience with WHO, including familiarity with GPW13 commitments and WHO’s work related to human rights, gender equality and health equity.

Skills:

• Demonstrated knowledge of application of human rights-based approaches to to health systems, policies and programmes.
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of international and regional human rights mechanisms, and an understanding of their relevance for health-related human rights.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the goals and targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular SDG 3, and understanding of the principle of leaving no one behind and its relevance for the realization of health-related rights.
• Understanding of publication development and clearance processes.
• Excellent research, writing and editing skills in English.
• Ability to manage tasks of high complexity.
• Strong facilitation and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team to achieve common goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills, integrity, tact, discretion and sensitivity to cultural differences.
• Ability to effectively use MS Office software applications (Word, PTT, Teams, Outlook).

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Expert knowledge of another UN language.

Location

Off site: Home-based.

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level C – USD 10,000 – 12,500 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 (part-time at 80%). Remuneration will be pro-rated accordingly.

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