Consultant for support on coordination of implementation and follow up activities of Mozambique FCTC 2030 project

Background

Tobacco uses in the African Region is prevalent in adults between 6–36%; One in ten adolescents smokes tobacco, one in ten adolescents smokes other types of tobacco products, cigarette use is higher in boys than in girls (13.5% to 5.2%), half of adolescents are exposed to tobacco smoke.

In Mozambique, the data shows that more than 9,300 Mozambicans die every year from tobacco-related illness, which cause 3,5% of all deaths in the country and 75% of all deaths from tobacco are premature. Tobacco costs to Mozambique 11.7 billions MZN every year equivalent to 1.3% of the GDP. Tobacco consumption prevalence in adults is 14,9% and 2.3% in children. And more than 50% of children 13-17 years are exposed to secondhand smoke. The Global Youth Tobacco Prevalence Surveys (GYTS) conducted in 2002, 2007 and 2013 in the country show evidence not only of the dramatic and increasing levels of tobacco use among young people (15.9% of young people surveyed smoke any type of tobacco, of these 14.9 are boys and 14.6 are girls), but also the increasingly aggressive and worrying degree of interference by the tobacco industry in public policies in Mozambique to promote their products, as well as in attracting children in order to join the ranks smoking.

In terms of legislation, Mozambique signed the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control on 06/18/2003, having been ratified by the Assembly of the Republic on 02 November 2016.

Currently, the Multisectoral Strategic Plan for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases 2020-2029, as well as the Action Plan for Cancer Control - 2019-2029, include in their objectives the reduction of exposure to NCD risk factors, among them tobacco consumption, and among the strategies for control of cancer, diabetes and hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, is the implementation of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The Ministry of Health approved the Health Sector Strategic Plan (PESS 2014-2019 which is in extension to 2024), where tobacco control is cited as one of the strategic objectives, including the creation of a legal platform for prevention and reduction of exposure to NCD risk factors (alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy diet).

The target of reducing tobacco consumption by 10% by 2027, provided in the Multisectoral Strategic Plan for Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases 2020-2029 is appropriate to the strong and comprehensive measures already adopted for the implementation of the Convention.

The National Strategy for domestication of the FCTC for Tobacco Control and the Action Plan are still under development and have not been finalized or adopted.

Since the Mozambique ratification of the WHO-FCTC in 2017, several interventions for tobacco control were undertaken. Among them was the establishment of the Multisectoral Committee for tobacco control, development of tobacco control Investment Case, update of the Tobacco Taxation Policy, development of tobacco cessation guidance and training tools and initiated the tobacco control legislation update. Since the establishment of the multisectoral committee, the interventions of this group have resulted in a strengthening of Government and civil society capacity on Tobacco control legislation measures, education and raise awareness on prevention and control and assess the needs for implementation of the FCTC in Mozambique.

To coordinate the implementation of the Convention, catalytic funds were mobilized under FCTC 2030 and a workplan for Mozambique was developed. The focus areas of the project are to gradually support the country on: National Tobacco Control strategy and development planning

(Art. 5.1); National multisectoral coordination for FCTC implementation (Art. 5.2a); Legislation and policy environment (Art. 5.2b); Protection from tobacco industry interference (Art. 5.3); Raising tobacco taxes and innovative financing for development (Art. 6); Packaging and labelling (Art. 11); Education, communication, training and public awareness (Art. 12); Bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship (Art. 13) Cessation (Art. 14); Alternative livelihoods (Art. 17) and Cooperation (Art. 22)

To accelerate the implementation of the planned activities there is a need to hire a consultant to support the coordination of the implementation of the planned activities that included: support in strengthening the tobacco control multisectoral committee capacity, support MOH to coordinate the efforts for approval of tobacco law and support the implementation of the recommendation of the FCTC Secretariat mission to Mozambique last February.

Deliverables

➢ Provide technical support in the coordination of the implementation of activities defined in the strategy and workplan of the FCTC 2030 project;

In the scope of the work, the national consultant will provide support to MoH on the following tasks as related to the implementation of FCTC 2030 project and recommendation of FCTC Secretariat mission:

1. Routinely convene the tobacco control multisectoral committee meetings and technical capacity;

2. Review key literature, evidence for developing or amending tobacco control legislations and Support the process of tobacco control bill/law advocacy for approval;

3. Support the development of costed national multisectoral tobacco control strategy;

4. Support implementation of tobacco taxation police and its regulation for public health and revenue generation;

5. Promote the adoption of strategies to combat tobacco industry interference in accordance with the implementation guidelines of Article 5.3;

6. Support national guidance for country adoption on the FCTC Protocol to eliminate illicit tobacco trading.

7. Coordinate assistance from international experts and involvement of UN agencies and other partners to support the implementation of the FCTC 2030 project plan;

8. Coordinate and facilitate FCTC 2030 project-related meetings, trainings and workshops in the country and provide technical advice;

9. Analyze and prepare documents to share with tobacco control stakeholders;

10. Monitor activities, develop financial and technical reports related to the implementation of FCTC 2030 project and provide regular updates to the Convention Secretariat;

11. Provide support on any other jobs related to the project as required by the supervisors.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

• Education: Advanced university degree in health sciences, public health and/or social sciences.

• Desirable: Master or specialty in public health or specialty in mental health and tobacco related policies.

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in public health, development or public policies related with tobacco control policies.

• In-depth knowledge/experience of working with the matter related to FCTC, tobacco consumption, and there for health consequences in health

• Demonstrated experience in coordinating different stakeholders and ministries in the tobacco control under FCTC implementation.

• Good knowledge of the FCTC implementation mechanisms and Tobacco control best-buys interventions

• Proven ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with various partners including the government, international and national organizations and associations and other key stakeholders at subnational and national levels.

• Excellent facilitation and presentation skills; and strong oral and written communication skills.

• Excellent organizational and time management skills.

• Proven ability to work independently, with sense of initiative and excellent conceptual and analytical capacities.

• Strong interpersonal skills with ability to work with people from different backgrounds to deliver quality products within short timeframe.

• Experience in working with the Ministry of Health in a developing country.

Languages and levels required

• Very good command of the Portuguese language (advanced level)

• Working knowledge of the English language (intermediate level)

Technical Supervision

• The consultant will work under the supervision of the focal point at the Department of Mental Health in the Ministry of Health and,

• Additionally, will meet the WHO Tobacco control Technical officer (WHO (Raquel Dulce - [email protected]) and Health Promotion (Gloria Moreira [email protected]) to update the progress of the consultancy

Location

Department of Mental Health in the Ministry of Health (address: Av. Eduardo Mondlane nº 1008, Maputo)

Travel

No travel expected

Remuneration and budget

Rate: Monthly rate

Currency: 4.300,00 USD