This consultancy aims to support the WHO Representative Office for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, and Singapore in addressing country-specific and regional priorities related to violence and injury prevention with the main focus on road safety in Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam and Singapore. The consultant will coordinate key stakeholders in road safety and other violence and injury prevention activities including supporting situation analysis, develop national road safety and other injury prevention resources, support implementation of interventions, and respond to Member State requests.
Violence and Injury Prevention
In the Western Pacific Region, nearly one million people die annually from injuries, with major causes including road traffic injuries, falls, drowning, poisoning, and burns. A significant 85% of fatal injuries occur in low- and middle-income countries. Alcohol consumption notably increases the risk of injury.
WHO aims to reduce injuries in the region through primary prevention and by addressing the social and commercial determinants of health that increase injury risks, including alcohol use. This involves collaboration with various sectors and stakeholders to create environments conducive to long, healthy, and productive lives.
To support this mission in Malaysia, the consultant will assist in adopting evidence-based strategies to reduce the impact associated with road traffic accidents, engage with multisectoral stakeholders beyond health, and recommend interventions based on identified priorities for supporting infra-structure development for safety.
Road Safety
Equitable access to safe and reliable transportation is critical for health and well-being, facilitating access to employment, education, healthcare, and social connections. As vehicle ownership and infrastructure expand for road safety is crucial. Advocacy for infra- structure development is an almost important area to prevent fatal and non-fatal road traffic injuries. Malaysia ranks third in road traffic mortality within the WHO Western Pacific Region, with 23.6 deaths per 100,000 population.
Road traffic injuries are the leading cause of child mortality in Malaysia, representing 14% of deaths among children aged 5-14 years. In response, the Malaysian government has publicly committed to addressing road traffic injuries. A scoping exercise conducted in Q4 2021 identified key stakeholders and current priorities, and a road safety workplan for 2022 and onwards with planning for updates as needed was developed by WHO, SafeKids, the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS), Johns Hopkins University, and the Global Road Safety Partnership. The WHO seeks a consultant to support the implementation of identified interventions for Injury prevention for 2025 including capacity to liaise with other Ministries beyond Health for making conducive environment with infra-structure for safety.
Method(s) to carry out the activity
By working closely with the WCO and WPRO technical units, the consultant will provide high quality technical support to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other partners organizations and Other Ministries relevant to Road Safety and violence prevention, to achieve the following outputs:
Output/s
Output 1: Strengthen the capacity of the key stakeholders in Malaysia to address violence and injury prevention:
Deliverable 1.1: Facilitate situation analysis for violence and injuries including road safety and innovative approaches to design and recommend for impact focused preventive strategies.
Deliverable 1.2: Identify key stakeholders for training in violence and injury prevention, including road safety, and facilitate their engagement.
Deliverable 1.3: Support capacity building for community-based awareness, through media, in which networking with journalists and media professionals focusing on violence and injury prevention, particularly on road safety
Deliverable 1.4: Provide technical inputs to develop advocacy materials on violence and injury prevention.
Output 2: Strengthen the implementation of road safety legislation in Malaysia:
Deliverable 2.1: Collect and facilitate requests from the relevant governmental agencies for technical assistance to support road safety legislation and provide technical inputs as requested.
Deliverable 2.2: Evidence based advocacy for required infra-structure for road safety strategic implementation
Output 3: Strengthen the regional and global coordination around violence and injury prevention:
Deliverable 3.1: Regular engagement with WHO Regional office and with Head Quarters for regular updates for effective implementation of the violence and injury prevention align with the Regional and Global strategies for violence and injury prevention.
Deliverable 3.2: Provide inputs and regular updates through partner engagement in the area of violence and injury prevention, including road safety.
Deliverable 3.3: Complete reports on progress in activities in violence and injury prevention activities, including road safety.
Deliverable 3.4: Complete other tasks as identified by the WHO Representative.
Other Deliverables
Deliverables to be submitted during and after the period of the assignment, including manner of delivery and payment arrangements
Essential: University degree in social, behavioral sciences, public health, Engineering or a related field from an accredited institution or university.
Desirable: Advance degree in Public Health or related degree is an added advantage.
Essential: At least 5 years of experience working on injury prevention and Road safety preferably in collaboration with multi-stakeholders.
Desirable: Experience in working with the Ministry of Health, Malaysia at the national or State level on violence and injury prevention including Road safety and experience of working with different Ministries for road safety programme(s); relevant work experience in WHO, other UN agencies, and working collaboratively with relevant nongovernmental organizations will be an added advantage.
Essential: English and Bahasa Melayu (Read - Write - Speak / Expert Level)
WHO Country office in Malaysia (when required)
Local hire. The selected Consultant may be required to travel locally and/or internationally, to meet with the Ministry of Health, (MOH), other National Ministries and other stakeholders.
Remuneration: TBD
Expected duration of contract: 6 months, June to December 2025
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