VN021 International Consultant on Air Pollution

Background

The Government of Viet Nam approved the national action plan on controlling air quality in 2016. Further to this national action plan, in early 2021, the Government of Viet Nam issued the Directive No 03 for controlling air pollution which assigned the Ministry of Health (MoH) to conduct assessment of health impact of air pollution and propose solutions.

In March 2021, the WHO Country Office in Viet Nam received a letter from the Health Environment Management Agency (VIHEMA) of MoH seeking WHO’s technical and financial supports to develop (1) a set of advisories/alerts on health preventive measures during peaks of air pollution for communities and (2) mechanisms to disseminate advisories/alerts through appropriate  channels.

Currently Vietnamese people have access to daily weather forecast programs and air quality news on mass medial channels, social media network Zalo and the website of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) with a brief explanation on the value of AQI and possible health impacts. However, these messages are too general. Sensitive groups may need to know more details on what they should do to actively prevent health impacts during air pollution peaks.

As part of its technical assistance responding to this request, WHO is recruiting an international consultant to conduct a study for analysing experience and practice on health preventive measures against air pollution and a delivery system to disseminate advisories/alerts messages during peaks of air pollution to the public from selected countries in the world and in the region and draw lessons learnt and recommendations for Viet Nam

Objectives of the consultancy activity

• To conduct a study for analysing experience and practice on health preventive measures against air pollution and a delivery system to disseminate advisories/alerts messages during peaks of air pollution to the public from selected countries in the world and in the region and draw lessons learnt and recommendations for Viet Nam

1. Timelines: Part time for 3 months (14 non-consecutive days/month x 3 months = 42 days)

Start date:  10 June 2021 

End date:   10 September 2021

Requirements/specification

1. Qualifications required:

• A postgraduate degree in public health, environmental health, environmental science, communication or other relevant areas from a recognized university

2. Experience required:

• • Minimum 7 of years’ experience in research in relevant areas including public health, environmental health, air pollution management or policy, communication for health etc
  • Research experience on air pollution in developing countries is an asset

3. Skills/ Technical skills and knowledge:

• Research and analysis skills on environmental health issues, air pollution and health impacts.
• Knowledge on air pollution aspects, air quality in the countries in the world or in the region.
• Experience and skills in multi-country comparison study
• Communication skills.

4. Language requirements:

• Fluent in English

5. Competencies:

• Technical Expertise
• Producing Results
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication

Place of assignment

The contractor is expected to work in his/her home country.

Address for applications:
Administrative Officer
World Health Organization
UN Building, 304 Kim Ma Street, Hanoi, Viet Nam
Or by email at: wpvnmapplicants@who.int

Note: applicants should indicate vacancy notice number and title of position in the email subject