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Qualifications
International Consultancy Contract for Health Emergency Preparedness and Climate Change Resilience Officer to support the Implementation of the Climate Change Component of the HER AF2 Project at the Health Facility level in Afghanistan
This consultancy is requested by:
Unit:ย WHO Health Emergency (WHE) Programme
Country Office ย ย Afghanistan ย ย
1.ย ย ย ย ย Purpose of consultancy
Support the implementation of the climate change resilience component of the HER AF2 project at the health facility level through climate change vulnerability assessments in 15 hospitals and pilot implementation of resilience building model in 2 hospitals.
2.ย ย ย ย ย Background
Afghanistan ranks among the countries most affected by climate-related shocks, facing recurrent droughts, floods, avalanches, and extreme temperature events. These hazards, compounded by weak infrastructure and fragile health systems, severely limit the ability of health facilities to maintain services during climate-induced emergencies.
Under the Health Emergency Response Additional financing 2 (HER AF2) Project, funded by the World Bank, WHO is providing the support to the de facto Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) to strengthen healthcare system resilience in the face of climate change. This initiative will assess vulnerabilities in 15 HER-supported health facilities and implement a pilot resilience-building model in two selected hospitals. It focuses on capacity building, emergency preparedness, equipment procurement, and integration of climate-adaptive measures.
In line with WHOโs framework on climate-resilient health systems, the project adopts a strategic approach centered on capacity development, risk assessment, adaptation planning, and monitoring.
3. Planned timelinesย (subject to confirmation)
Start date:ย July 01, 2025,
End date: December 31, 2025
4.ย ย ย ย ย Work to be performed
Supervised by the WHE TL and under the overall guidance of the Head of the WHO Country Office, and working closely with counterparts at the Regional Office, the incumbent will act as an international Health Emergency Preparedness and Climate Change Resilience Officer. S/he will manage the Climate change component of the HER AF 2 project, including vulnerability assessment of the selected hospitals, and pilot implementation of resilience-building model in two selected hospitals.ย S/he will establish and maintain good collaboration with partners (WB), and liaise with other units/teams within the country office, across the organization and partners for facilitating the implementation of the different activities under this component of the project. ย
Output 1: Climate change vulnerability assessments of the identified 15 hospitals ,
Output 2: Support the pilot implementation of climate change resilience building model at 2 hospitals.
Deliverables
1. ย ย ย
Deliverables:
1.ย ย ย ย ย ย Apply WHOโs โChecklists to Assess Vulnerabilities in Health Care Facilities in the Context of Climate Changeโ in 15 hospitals.
2.ย ย ย ย ย ย Analyse data and draft individual facility improvement plans addressing infrastructure, operations, and training gaps.
3.ย ย ย ย ย ย Collaborate with MoPH and WHO to design climate change resilience building model for 2 hospitals and oversee its pilot implementation.
4.ย ย ย ย ย ย Develop training materials and Lead/conduct sessions on climate change, health impacts, emergency preparedness and response, and vector-borne diseases.
5.ย ย ย ย ย ย Provide technical guidance on the specification and placement of climate-resilient equipment.
6.ย ย ย ย ย ย Support documentation, entry of data into DHIS2 and review of the climate change component of the progress and final reports of the project.
7.ย ย ย ย ย ย Join technical discussions with the donor's technical team, partners, and MoPH on the climate change component of the HER AF2 project, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and technical standards.
8.ย ย ย ย ย ย Improve the level of knowledge and technical skills of the national team at the WCO regarding the HEALTH emergency preparedness and climate change resilience through training workshops.
ย
5.ย ย ย ย ย Technical Supervision
The selected Consultant will work on the supervision of:
Responsible Officer (1st Supervisor):
Dr. Jamshed TANOLI
Email:
tanolij@who.int
Overall supervisor
Dr. ย Edwin Ceniza SALVADOR
Email:
salvadore@who.int
6.ย ย ย ย ย Specific requirements
Education:
ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Essential: Masterโs degree in Public Health, Environmental Health, Climate Change, Health Systems or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.
ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Desirable: Specialized training in climate change and health, disaster risk reduction, or health systems strengthening. ย
Experience
ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Essential: 5 to 10 years of public health experience or environmental health with a minimum of 2 years of international experience. International experience is a requirement for an International consultancy.
ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Previous work experience with WHO, other relevant UN Organizations or international NGOs
Skills/Knowledge
ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Proven knowledge and skills in health emergency preparedness and climate change resilience, with experience performing climate change vulnerability assessments for health-care settings.
ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues at national and international levels.
Languages
ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Excellent knowledge of English.
ยทย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Basic knowledge of Dari or Pashtu is desirable
7.ย ย ย ย ย Place of assignment (onsite)
The consultant will provide in-person consultancy in Afghanistan WHO CO in Kabul. Travels to other provinces may take place based on the target locations for the project.
ย 8.ย ย ย ย ย Medical clearance
The consultant who will provide in-person consultancy for six months and will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work in Afghanistan.
ย 9.ย ย ย ย ย Travel
It is expected that the consultant to be available to be present in Kabul and other provinces in Afghanistan to complete tasks under this consultancy