Consultant (mercury-containing medical devices)

Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical support to WHO work on mercury-containing medical devices.

Background

The 67th World Health Assembly, through its Resolution no. WHA67.11 called upon its Member States to ratify and implement the Minamata Convention on Mercury and to address the health aspects of exposure to mercury and mercury compounds through collaboration between health authorities, environment authorities, and others. Article 4 of the Minamata Convention prohibits Parties to manufacture, import and export of mercury added products, in particular: mercury containing thermometers and sphygmomanometers used in health care after the phase-out date of 2020 without a specific exemption. The Convention does not require removal of mercury-containing products already in use.

WHO is an executing partner in a number of projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) relating to implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. The GEF has recently approved the development of a full project document to describe a five -year project on phasing-out mercury medical devices in healthcare to be carried out in Albania, Burkina Faso, India, Montenegro and Uganda. The consultant will prepare the detailed project plan for this project which will include a detailed stakeholder engagement strategy, an in-depth analysis of the volume and use of mercury-containing medical devices in the focus countries; a gender action plan, an in-depth analysis of waste management arrangements and national regulatory frameworks and of other information needed for full project implementation. The detailed project documents needing preparation will be used to finalize the CEO endorsement document as specified by the GEF in order to approve a full-sized project proposal. In particular, the consultant will compile and critically assess surveys and preparatory field work, and identify future project stakeholders, WHO technical units in HQ regional and country offices, and local institutions and communities and their potential roles in the future project.

The consultant will also provide technical support upon request by Member States to support implementation of the health-related aspects of the Minamata Convention and ensure the project development work on medical devices is cognizant of other activities undertaken by WHO in support of Minamata Convention. The consultant will assist in knowledge-sharing on WHO’s work on mercury through appropriate channels, including newsletters, WHO website and webinars.

More information on the work of the World Health Organization on mercury is available under https://www.who.int/ipcs/assessment/public_health/mercury/en/.

Deliverables

1. Coordinate the preparation of the full project document describing the proposed five-year project on mercury containing medical devices ensuring that the project development is participatory, gender responsive and based on stakeholder engagement.

Deliverables:

1.1. Define and prepare a detailed methodology, project workplan and identify the budget elements for the project preparation phase in consultation with other consultants, WHO and UNEP staff. 1.2. Under direction of WHO staff, organize and implement two project workshops at inception/launch and validation /completion of the project. 1.3. Prepare and finalize the workshop reports and records of stakeholder consultations, ensuring prompt follow-up is completed as needed. 1.4. Prepare narrative report on project preparation activities and compile financial information as required for WHO to make periodic and end of project reporting to the GEF.

2. Design and provide technical support for completion of five short-term preparatory technical studies and reviews.

Deliverables:

2.1. A stakeholder engagement plan which as a minimum will describe the stakeholders, their relevant interests, and why they are included, the steps and actions to achieve meaningful consultation and inclusive participation, including information dissemination, review of proposed activities, roles and responsibilities for implementation of the Stakeholder Engagement Plan, the timing of the engagement throughout the project.

2.2. A gender analysis to identify the current baseline and how the project could positively or adversely impact vulnerable groups.

2.3. A medical devices study in each of the six countries through stakeholder engagement and data collection, including a market survey in each country and a description of procurement and applicable regulatory policies.

2.4. A waste management study to be conducted by UNEP to provide baseline data on the mercury waste management capacity of each country.

2.5. A specific study to assist in the implementation of the full-sized project in India to be undertaken by a consultant based in India to take into account the national characteristics of the health system in India and its status as a manufacturer of mercury medical devices.

3. Formulation of the CEO Endorsement document.

Deliverables:

3.1. A synthesis of all analyses, studies, etc. that are prepared under the project preparation to produce the draft CEO project endorsement document together with all mandatory and project specific annexes. 3.2. Consolidation of all technical inputs and comments from stakeholders, UNEP, GEF secretariat into a well written and concise project document with all required sections and annexes; and 3.3. Liaison with participating project countries for the collection of co-financing letters in collaboration with UNEP.

4. Provide technical support to WHO and Member States for implementation of health-related aspects of the Minamata Convention.

Deliverables:

4.1. Three newsletter/report contributions about WHO’s work in support of the Minamata Convention, and the various projects underway. 4.2. On request, responses to technical questions relevant to the work of WHO in support of the Minamata Convention.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: • University degree in any of the following fields: biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering chemistry, medicine, nursing or other life science. • Advanced university degree in environmental sciences, public health or any related field.

Desirable:

Certified training or qualification in health promotion, public/environmental health or project management.

Experience

Essential: • At least seven (7) years’ work experience that involves project management and project implementation in a public health-related field, preferably in a developing country context. • International experience working with country partners, e.g. ministries of health, to confirm national priorities for on-the-ground activities

Desirable: • Experience in procurement of medical devices, biomedical engineering, public health. • Experience in working with bilateral or multilateral development organizations on development of health/environmental health projects;

Skills/Knowledge

Essential: • Proven ability to write and present clearly on scientific and biomedical subjects. • Strong understanding of awareness and sensitivity to cultural differences. • Excellent communications skills. • Excellent time management, coordination and relationship management skills. • Demonstrated ability to identify key stakeholders and foster stakeholder engagement. • Proficiency in MS Office.

Languages required

Essential: Excellent knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

Location

Off-site

Travel (If travel is involved, a medical certificate of fitness for work will be required.)

No travel is expected as part of this assignment.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs excluded)

Band level: B USD 8,000 per month

Living expenses

Not Applicable

Duration of contract:

8 months

Additional Information section:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html