Purpose of the Consultancy

A consultant is needed to assist in the review and development of regional reports related to alcohol use and alcohol-attributable burden of disease, as well as communications products on the harms of alcohol use for the Western Pacific Region.

Background

Alcohol use are preventable behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases and injury. The use of alcohol is a causal factor in more than 200 disease and injury conditions and every minute one person dies from alcohol related harm in the Western Pacific Region.

The NCD Prevention and Health Promotion Team (PND) Unit under the Division of Healthy Environments and Populations, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific is mandated to support Member States to reduce the burden of NCDs through the implementation of evidence-based interventions to prevent and reduce modifiable risk factors such as alcohol use.

When fully implemented, comprehensive upstream interventions such as laws and regulations can encourage and support behavior change. To reduce alcohol use and protect users and other people from their harms, WHO supports Member States in adopting and implementing evidence-based interventions and actions, including those in the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022–2030, the SAFER policy package, as well as the Regional Action Framework for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control in the Western Pacific.

We are seeking a highly qualified consultant with a strong research background, technical skills and rich experience in alcohol control. Experience in the development of alcohol control policy papers and communication materials (e.g., short videos, infographics, fact sheets) around alcohol harms for WHO, other UN or international development agencies are strongly preferred. The ideal candidate should have a proven ability to support governments in formulating and implementing alcohol control policies and interventions. Additionally, the consultant should have a good understanding of commercial determinants of health and possess exceptional skills in anticipating and effectively countering arguments and challenges from the alcohol industry.

Deliverables

Under the supervision of the Coordinator, NCD Prevention and Health Promotion and working closely with the Technical Officer, Alcohol Control, Violence and Injury Prevention, the consultant will perform the following activities:

Output 1: Technical report on alcohol use and alcohol-attributable disease in the Western Pacific Region, ready for publication

Deliverable 1.1: Review of relevant draft documents, papers, and components of the above-mentioned report, with specific comments and edits provided for improvement
The review should include verification of the data and analysis, taking into consideration the regional and country-specific contexts.

Deliverable 1.2: Coordinating with APW holders, consultants, and WPRO colleagues on the development, revision, approval, layout design and publication of the report
This includes communicating with relevant colleagues and parties on the technical contents and help the technical officer facilitate the approval process.

Deliverable 1.3: Final technical report ready for publication

Output 2: Communications materials for dissemination to target audiences such as the general public and policymakers

Deliverable 2.1: Development of key messages on alcohol harms and key data points from Output 1
Working with the communications team and technical team to develop key messages. Key messages used in other regions can be adapted to fit the context of the Western Pacific Region.

Deliverable 2.2: Drafts of communications materials (e.g., fact sheets, short videos, infographics, etc.) based on key messages on alcohol harms and key data points from Output 1
Similarly, working with relevant teams to draft a set of communications materials aimed at increasing awareness of alcohol harms and generating support for alcohol control policies

Deliverable 2.3: A set of final communication materials as stated above that are ready for dissemination
This will involve working with relevant teams and consultants on the design and layout of the materials.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree in public health, behavioural science or related field.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree in public health, public health policy, or equivalent training/experience

Experience

Essential: Minimum 5 years of experience in public health research, public health policy development, or related fields.
Desirable: Experience in alcohol control working closely with governments of various countries; experience in developing and publishing alcohol-control reports, tobacco control reports, or other public health reports for WHO, other UN or international development agencies; experience in designing and implementing strategic communications campaigns and producing communications materials on NCD risk factors (e.g., alcohol, tobacco, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity).

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

· Public health research and data analysis: Proficiency in conducting public health research and analysis to identify trends, root causes, evaluate impact of public health interventions.
· Exception English writing skills: The ability to translate data into clear and easy-to-understand information.
· Knowledge of alcohol control policies and interventions: Familiarity with evidence-based interventions for alcohol control, as well as the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan.

Language:

Expert knowledge of English

Location

Off site: Home-based

Travel

Travel to countries within the Western Pacific Region may be required.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: TBD
Expected duration of contract: 11 months, estimated start date is 1 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) 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.
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