Purpose of the Consultancy
To strengthen WHO ACEโs regional, and contribution to WHOโs global, leadership on climate-resilient, safe, and sustainable health systems through technical and coordination support to the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH). This includes regional input to ATACH working groups, coordination with WHO Headquarters, and translating global commitments into country- and region-level implementation.
Background
Climate change threatens the foundations of public health and the resilience of health systems worldwide. In response, the Health Programme of the United Kingdom UNFCCC COP26 Presidency catalyzed commitments by over 95 countries to strengthen climate-resilient, low-carbon health systems and support define health-promoting interventions by other sectors (e.g., food and nutrition). To support implementation, WHO and the UK Government launched ATACH, a WHO-hosted platform fostering coordinated global action, knowledge exchange, and technical alignment across five key priority areas :
Climate-resilient health systems
Low-carbon sustainable health systems
Supply Chains
Health promoting interventions by health determining sectors (i.e. I-CAN)
Finance
WHO ACE plays a central role in the Western Pacific Region in translating these global priorities into regional action. It provides technical and convening leadership across the ATACH working groups and is supporting Member States to meet their commitments and priorities under the COP26 Health Programme, the Initiative on Climate Action and Nutrition (I-CAN) launched at COP27, the COP28 Declaration and principles for climate and health finance,and the Belem Health Action Plan to be launched at COP30.
A strong, sustained bridge between WHO HQ and the region is essential to ensure that global frameworks, tools, and networks are relevant, implemented, and responsive to country needs. This consultancy will provide focused support for ACEโs role as a regional hub for ATACH, facilitating participation, alignment, and delivery across countries and technical areas.
Deliverables
The objectives and tasks of the consultancy work are the following:
Output 1: Strengthen ATACH coordination and engagement
Act as the primary focal point for WHO ACEโs contributions to ATACH and its working groups.
Coordinate inputs from the Western Pacific Region to ATACH processes and events
Ensure alignment of regional activities and deliverables with ATACH strategic priorities and global climate-health agendas.
Support engagement of member states wishing to become part of the Alliance.
Support HQ with ATACH-related global functions (e.g., management of Community of Practice, organization of online meetings) for a total of 1 day/week
Output 2: Facilitate contributions to ATACH ย priority areas
Support the participation of WHO ACE and WPRO Member States in ATACH working groups (especially Health Systems, Research, and Finance).
Coordinate technical inputs to WHO and ATACH knowledge products, global policy briefs, and collaborative tools.
Support WHO ACE in technical discussions and facilitate knowledge exchange across working groups.
Support WPR MS to develop case studies summarizing country experience, priorities and challenges to showcase and advance implementation of climate change and health relevant to ATACH priority areas.
Output 3: Translate global frameworks into regional practice
Help operationalize global ATACH frameworks, guidance, and commitments within the Western Pacific context.
Identify opportunities to align national health adaptation plans and climate strategies with ATACH principles.
Feed WPR priorities into ATACH vision and strategy and support the WPR representative to the ATACH Steering Group (SG) (currently Viet Nam) to represent the views and priorities of the broader WPR.
Support WPR countries to develop climate change and health funding proposals to be submitted to e.g., the Adaptation Fund (AF) or the Green Climate Fund (GCF).
Output 4: Build strategic linkages and momentum
Participate in planning and coordination calls with HQ and ROs to coordinate closely to ensure consistent messaging and support to countries.
Provide support for global events, publications, and regional communications.
Deliverables:
1. Draft and coordinate technical inputs and communications between WHO ACE and WHO HQ
2. Technical support to the Western Pacific Action Forum
3. Regional ATACH engagement plan, with mapped contributions to each ย priority area and country participation tracking
4. Draft policy brief highlighting ATACH implementation in the Western Pacific (for COP31 and global reporting)
5. Final consultancy report, including assessment of ATACH engagement, lessons learned, and recommendations
6. Technical support to HQ ATACH function (ongoing basis ongoing throughout the consultancy period)
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications
Essential : University degree in public health, health systems, environmental health, climate and health, international development, or a related field.
Desirable : Master's degree in public health, health systems, environmental health, climate and health, international development, or a related field.
Experience
Essential: At least three to five years of experience in health systems strengthening, climate change and health, or environmental health, at least part of which at the international level.
Experience working with or within government or multilateral organisations, and demonstrated ability to engage government and partner stakeholders.
Desirable: Technical knowledge and/or operational experience in climate-resilient health systems, health infrastructure, or sustainable health service delivery is preferred.
Skills and Knowledge
Understanding of WHO frameworks, tools, and global processes on climate-resilient health systems and sustainability.
Familiarity with the Western Pacific Region context is an asset.
Languages
Expert knowledge of English (Read/Write/Speak)
Location
Onsite: Seoul, Republic of Korea
Travel
The Consultant is expected to conduct the assigned tasks on site in Seoul with specific travel in accordance with WHO travel policy and agreed by the Head of Office.
Remuneration and budget:
Remuneration: Band level A: USD 4,500 (monthly) ย
Expected duration: ย 10 months, September 2025 to July 2026
Additional Information:
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โข ย ย ย ย A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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