International consultant - Tobacco Free Initiative (TFI)/SEARO

Purpose of consultancy

TFI unit under the Department of Healthier Populations & Noncommunicable Diseases oversees the advocacy, technical and strategic support for overall tobacco control in all SEAR countries with focus on accelerating implementation of WHO FCTC, WHO MPOWER package to reduce the demand and supply of tobacco and best buys for reducing overall tobacco use among adults and youth. The Member States of the Region are provided support to implement evidence-based policies for effective tobacco control by backstopping WHO country offices and through coordination and collaboration with HQ and relevant stakeholders and partners. Guidance and support are provided to deal with the changing and evolving challenges of introduction of new tobacco and nicotine products, tobacco industry interference and challenges faced in implementing tobacco control policies.

Background

South-East Asia Region has high prevalence of tobacco use. The process of data collection for the Global Tobacco Control Report (GTCR) is ongoing. Some countries are implementing tobacco surveys for adults and youth. The theme of the World No Tobacco Day 2023 is “we need food- not tobacco” and HQ has launched a very ambitious goal of reaching out to tobacco growers and users globally. Bangladesh, India and Indonesia are among the prominent tobacco growing countries in the world. Global tobacco control efforts have made significant strides in reducing tobacco use and ensuring people in many parts of the world are protected from the harms of tobacco. However, the new and emerging tobacco and nicotine products are posing additional challenges.

In this regard, TFI unit would like to hire services of a consultant to perform the following duties:

• To support coordination with HQ and the Member States to complete all the technical processes related to the development of the ninth edition of the Global Tobacco Control Report (GTCR 2023)
• To support development and adaptation of advocacy material for the World No Tobacco Day 2023 campaign
• To support tobacco surveillance and monitoring among youth and adults across the Region
• To support promotion and effective health marketing of ‘WHO Quit Tobacco App’.

Deliverables

• Technical data compiled in prescribed format collected from Member States on Global Tobacco Control Report questionnaires.
• Advocacy material readily available for smooth conduct of WNTD 2023 event in the Region.
• Supported TFI in implementation of third round of GATS India and GYTS in Bangladesh and Nepal.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree in Medicine or Public Health or Social Sciences, from a recognized university.

Desirable: Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Web browsers

Experience

Essential: Two to five years of relevant work experience in tobacco control and surveillance, demography, statistical analysis and research.

Desirable:

• Experience in tobacco control research/surveillance and report writing.
• Three years of relevant experience in tobacco control at regional/international level.

Skills/Knowledge:

• Knowledge and technical expertise evidence-based public health approaches to prevent and control tobacco use and tobacco surveillance;
• Ability to think strategically and work under tight deadlines on a result-oriented basis, ability to develop innovative approaches and solutions;
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work harmoniously within a team, demonstrated ability to adopt to diverse educational socio-political and cultural backgrounds and to maintain a high standard of personal conduct; and
• Demonstrated ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders under multi-cultural environment.
• Skills for writing reports and papers.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Advanced):

Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English

Location

Off site: The consultant is required to support remotely and attend office as and when required and attend important TFI meetings.

Travel

Travel is required to attend TFI meetings.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs additional):

• Remuneration: Band level B; Monthly remuneration between USD 7,000 – USD 9,980;
• Living expense: Per diem will be paid as per WHO rules applicable to international consultant for travel.
• Expected duration of contract: 11 months starting from April 2023 to March 2024

Additional Information:

• 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) in English 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 prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• 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.