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1. Background
WHO is seeking a local consultant in household energy policies to work in cooperation with government specialists, the WHO team and other experts to develop a report on clean household energy and health. The report will outline the results of a rapid assessment and stakeholder mapping which describes Malawi’s experiences and readiness to address household energy, and the health risks related to it. More specifically the national report will:
(a)Estimate the population exposure to household air pollution and its associated disease burden at the national level and/or state level;
(b)Evaluate the social, economic and behavioural factors (e.g. knowledge, attitudes, risk perception, household income, gender differences, cultural practices, etc.) contributing to the choices of different fuels and technologies used by households;
(c)Document the historical and current policies for and/or related to household energy use, household air pollution and/or its health impacts, and outline national and/or local government strategies/policy frameworks related to household energy use, if any;
(d)Describe the role of the health and other sectors in addressing the health risks of household energy.
The local consultants will also be responsible for conducting a mapping of relevant national stakeholders using tools and templates provided by WHO, in cooperation with the government sectors. Following the completion of the stakeholder mapping in Malawi, the consultant will be expected to conduct informative interviews and/or consult with relevant stakeholders about the policies for clean household energy, its health impacts, as well as the socioeconomic, cultural, and behavioural factors associated with the adoption of clean household energy in Malawi, to include within the country report.
Throughout the report preparation, the selected national local consultants will be supported by trainings and guidance of government specialists and the WHO team.
2. Deliverables
Deliverable 1: Preparation of a clean household energy and health report executive summary
· Completion of the household energy report data templates;
· Completion of the stakeholder mapping templates;
· Incorporate the results of desk review (i.e. a & b above) into an executive summary for the clean household energy and health report (approximately five pages), to be shared with WHO HQ by 31 October 2025;
Deliverable 2: Preparation and participation for the in-country workshop
· In cooperation with the WHO Malawi, country office, support the arrangement of meetings with key government agencies and stakeholders, as appropriate;
· Contribute to and participate in the workshop information sessions and stakeholder meetings, as appropriate.
Deliverable 3: Completion of a stakeholder mapping & consultations/interviews for inclusion in the Malawi, clean household energy and health report
· Completed stakeholder mapping template for Malawi;
· Arrange and execute interviews with key stakeholders and incorporate results into the draft report by 14 November 2025.
Deliverable 4: Preparation and finalization of final report
· Incorporate feedback and results from desk review, workshop and stakeholder interviews, and those received from the WHO technical team (including editors) into the draft Malawi, report;
· Submission of input to draft final report to the environmental health specialist and WHO by Based on additional comments, submission of input to final report to the international environmental health specialist and WHO team by 28 November 2025.
3. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications
Essential: Degree in public health, public policy, energy or environmental health sciences
Desirable: Master’s in public health, public policy, energy or environmental health sciences
Experience
Essential:
Five (5) or more years working to develop and/or evaluate energy policies and programmes;, Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of policies and programmes in Malawi, related to household energy value chain; Conducting a needs assessment/situational assessment and/or stakeholder mapping in a low or middle-income country, preferably in Malawi; Modelling of policy scenarios to estimate population health and environmental impacts; Preparing workshops, consulting and interviewing stakeholders, including those working in the government, within the private sector and non-governmental organizations.
Desirable:
Understanding of the socioeconomic, behavioural and cultural factors influencing household decision-making, particularly related to household energy use and how this can be harnessed to enhance the effectiveness of policies and programmes.
Familiarity with WHO normative products, specifically the WHO Guidelines for indoor air quality: household fuel combustion;
4. Skills/Knowledge
· Understanding of energy policy decision-making processes in Malawi, and engaging/advising governments or other stakeholders on policy options;
· Understanding of the challenges and intricacies of multi-sectoral policies and decisions in Malawi,;
· Demonstrated strong research and analytical skills;
· Experience using data software (e.g., MS Word, Excel, PPT, etc.)
5. Languages and level required
• Strong communication skills in English, both written and oral.
6. Location
Lilongwe, Malawi