The Consultant will provide technical assistance to the Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), through the World Health Organization in providing technical assistance in the capacity development of public health and clinical workforce on control and prevention of climate sensitive health risks (CSHRs), as well as disaster risk management (DRM) for health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) in the Solomon Islands is supporting the MHMS in increasing the health sector climate resilience capacity and reduce the health sector climate change footprint.
A strong public health and clinical workforce is essential to deliver health sector responsibilities in relation to climate-related diseases. The ongoing development of the health-National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP) in its consultations phase showed that there is limited awareness in climate change and health risks and adaptation among the health workforces.
The capacity development of public health and clinical workforce aim to strengthen the health sector response to climate health risks and disaster management. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides indispensable support to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) by offering technical expertise, resources, and guidance. This support is vital for strengthening the health workforce capacity in the prevention and control of CSHRs and disaster management at the facility and community level increasing Solomon Islands understanding and resilience to climate change impacts.
Under the direct supervision of the Technical Officer on Health Emergencies-Epidemiology and the managerial support of the Project Officer – Climate Change and Health, and in collaboration with the MHMS and concerned stakeholders, the Consultant will:
Output 1: Conduct a baseline assessment of the knowledge of public health and clinical services workforce regarding CSHRs including communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, and disaster-preparedness.
The international consultant will support the Ministry of Health and Medical Services through the WHO Support with carrying out assessment in line with the stakeholder mapping conducted as part of the H-NAP process.
Deliverable 1.1: Draft assessment report to be presented to the GEF Project Technical Working Group and MHMS stakeholders.
Deliverable 1.2: Update Draft Report and submit Final Draft for validation by GEF Project Technical Working Group
Deliverable 1.3: Support the EHD, MHMS in strengthening institutional arrangements for the coordination of climate health activities, including the HNAP.
Output 2: Develop training materials and training plan for in-service healthcare personnel on CC&H impacts, prevention and control of climate sensitive diseases based on baseline knowledge assessment.
Support the Ministry of Health and Medical Services through the WHO to update in service training to include climate health risk in collaboration with SINU.
Deliverable 2.1: CHSR and DRM training material and training plan for in service healthcare personnel for approval MHMS Executive approval and integration into Solomon Islands National University (SINU)U health programs.
Output 3: Conduct training targeting public health and clinical service personnel at health centers and clinic level on CC&H impacts and the prevention/control of CSHRs during pre-service and in-service training, as well as support PHESU disaster risk management trainings.
Deliverable 3.1: Training report of public health and clinical service personnel at health centers and clinic level on CC&H impacts and the prevention/control of CSHRs at target facilities.
Deliverable 3.2: Training report to Public Health Emergency Surveillance Unit (PHESU) staff on disaster risk management
Output 4: Develop materials and conduct learning sessions with the National Health Training and Research Institute (NHRTI) on CC&H research methods.
Support the Ministry of Health and Medical Services through WHO to update and broaden NHRTI research capacity to include CC&H methods.
Deliverable 4.1: Develop learning material on Research Methods for the Study of Climate Change.
Deliverable 4.2: Develop a training plan for MHMS Executive approval and integration into Solomon Islands National University (SINU) health programs.
Essential: University degree (bachelors degree) in public health, or related field of study.
Desirable: Advanced university degree in climate change and or disaster risk management.
Essential: Five years in Climate Change and Health, Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Risk Management, Environmental Epidemiology, or another related field at both national and international level.
Experience working in the Pacific region SIDS is an added advantage.
Experience in developing training material and conducting training is essential.
Desirable: International and National experience working with the government agencies including the ministries responsible for health, international organizations in the Solomon Islands.
A high level of written and spoken proficiency in English
On-site: Honiara, Solomon Islands
The Consultant is expected to travel according to the activity specification, as especially to the priority provinces for the project.
Purpose: Conduct knowledge assessment and training for Public Health and Clinical staff in the provinces.
a. Remuneration: Payband level A - USD 6000 (monthly)
b. Living expenses: A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited.
c. Expected duration of contract: 11 months, February to December 2025
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