Consultant for Drowning Prevention Research

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO's work encompasses a wide range of health issues, including disease prevention, health systems strengthening, and emergency response.

Job Overview:
The consultant will coordinate and implement qualitative research activities for a case study focused on drowning prevention in Vietnam. This role involves conducting a desk review, engaging with stakeholders, performing key informant interviews, and synthesizing findings related to the implementation pathways, barriers, and enablers of drowning prevention interventions. The consultant will support the WHO and Johns Hopkins University in documenting the experiences and lessons learned from drowning prevention efforts in Vietnam, which is a pathfinding country for this multi-country case study. The position requires strong qualitative research skills and the ability to engage with various stakeholders effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of existing policies, reports, and program documents related to drowning prevention in Vietnam.
• Develop a detailed work plan and timeline for the research activities, ensuring stakeholder engagement is prioritized.
• Create interview guides and qualitative data collection tools in consultation with WHO and JHU.
• Map stakeholders using purposive and snowball sampling approaches to identify key informants for interviews.
• Conduct 10-12 key informant interviews, ensuring thorough documentation of the discussions.
• Compile interview notes and transcripts in both English and Vietnamese.
• Synthesize qualitative data to summarize key findings on implementation pathways, barriers, enablers, and lessons learned.
• Prepare a desk review report and a summary of key findings, incorporating feedback from relevant partners.
• Ensure all deliverables are completed by the specified deadlines, maintaining high standards of quality and accuracy.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include an advanced university degree (Master’s level or higher) in public health, social sciences, epidemiology, health policy, or related fields. Candidates should have at least 10 years of relevant professional experience in public health, injury prevention, or health systems. Experience in conducting qualitative research, stakeholder consultations, and key informant interviews is crucial. Additionally, candidates should demonstrate strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills, as well as the ability to synthesize technical information into concise reports. Desirable qualifications include training in qualitative research or implementation research, and experience in drowning prevention or child injury prevention.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master’s level or higher) in relevant fields such as public health, social sciences, epidemiology, or health policy. Training or coursework in qualitative research or implementation research is desirable but not mandatory.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience in public health, injury prevention, or health systems. Candidates should have a proven track record of conducting qualitative research and stakeholder consultations, as well as experience working with government agencies, development partners, or international organizations. Experience in drowning prevention or child injury prevention is considered an asset.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of Vietnamese and English is essential for this position. The ability to communicate effectively in both languages is critical for conducting interviews and synthesizing findings.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 25 working days between 1 June and 31 July 2026, and it is a part-time position. The consultant will work remotely from Vietnam but may need to travel within the country for stakeholder consultations and interviews. The remuneration is set at USD 150 per day, in accordance with the WHO-EU cost norm for 202

• Candidates should be aware that WHO has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and all members of the workforce are expected to adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards.