Consultant for Heat and Health Resilience

Job Posting Organization:
The WHO Asia-Pacific Centre for Environment and Health (ACE) is a pivotal organization within the World Health Organization (WHO) that focuses on the intersection of climate, environment, and health. Established to address the growing challenges posed by climate change and environmental factors on public health, ACE plays a crucial role in implementing WHO's agenda in the Western Pacific Region. The organization collaborates with various stakeholders, including governments, private sectors, and international organizations, to enhance health resilience against climate-related risks. ACE is dedicated to advancing knowledge, providing technical assistance, and fostering partnerships to improve health outcomes in the face of environmental challenges. The center operates across multiple countries in the Western Pacific, emphasizing the importance of regional collaboration and knowledge exchange to tackle pressing health issues related to climate change.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position is designed to provide essential technical support for the ACE's initiatives aimed at enhancing heat and health resilience in the WHO Western Pacific Region. The consultant will be responsible for planning, coordinating, and implementing various activities that bolster Member States' capabilities to prepare for and respond to extreme heat events. This role involves supporting regional meetings, conducting capacity-building activities, and developing technical guidance and documentation that aligns with WHO-ACE's strategic objectives. The consultant will play a vital role in operationalizing WHO's strategic goals concerning climate and health by leveraging technical expertise, contributing to publications, and engaging with key partners to mitigate health risks associated with thermal extremes and promote sustainable urban and island systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a comprehensive set of tasks, including:

• Supporting the planning and execution of projects aimed at developing climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable urban and island systems in the Western Pacific Region, with a focus on addressing thermal extremes and non-optimal temperatures.
• Assisting in the organization and facilitation of technical meetings, consultations, and workshops related to heat and health initiatives.
• Drafting WHO technical documents, meeting summaries, background notes, and concept papers pertinent to heat and health programming.
• Compiling and analyzing relevant data, case studies, and policy experiences to inform the development of heat and health guidance.
• Preparing communication materials, presentations, and updates for donors.
• Delivering a work plan that outlines key activities, timelines, and deliverables for the consultancy.
• Providing progress updates on the technical report structure and preparations for early warning systems (EWS) meetings.
• Producing a technical report that incorporates updates from EWS meetings.
• Drafting case studies and a comprehensive technical report. 1
• Finalizing a consultancy report that summarizes key activities, contributions, and recommendations.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in public health, urban planning, environmental health, or related fields from a recognized institution. Essential qualifications include at least five years of relevant experience in public health, urban systems, or environmental health, particularly involving collaboration with national or local governments and international organizations. Desirable qualifications include experience working with WHO, the United Nations, or in international development contexts. Candidates should demonstrate strong technical expertise in heat and health, thermal extremes, and non-optimal temperatures, along with the ability to draft technical documents, reports, and briefing materials. Excellent organizational, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills are also required, and familiarity with WHO procedures and tools is considered an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a university degree in public health, urban planning, environmental health, or a related field from an accredited university. This educational foundation is essential to ensure that the consultant possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively contribute to the organization's objectives regarding heat and health resilience.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in the fields of public health, urban systems, or environmental health. This experience should include work with national or local governments and international organizations, demonstrating the candidate's ability to navigate complex health and environmental challenges. Desirable experience includes previous work with WHO, the United Nations, or in international development settings, which would provide valuable insights into the operational frameworks and collaborative efforts necessary for this consultancy.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is mandatory for this position, encompassing reading, writing, and speaking skills. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the regions served by the WHO Western Pacific.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 7.5 months, from March to October 2026, with a remuneration of USD 5,000 per month, excluding travel costs. The consultant will work on-site at the ACE office in Seoul, and travel is anticipated as part of the assignment. Candidates should be aware that this vacancy notice may also be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test may be utilized as part of the screening process. Candidates selected for interviews will need to provide scanned copies of their educational qualifications in advance. The WHO emphasizes diversity and inclusion in its workforce and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. Additionally, candidates must adhere to the highest ethical standards and WHO's values, and they should be aware of the organization's zero tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse.