WHO Consultant - Response to Chemical Exposure

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 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 promotion, and emergency response to health crises.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position aims to bolster WHO's efforts in enhancing public health responses to harmful chemical exposures in the Western Pacific Region. This role is crucial in addressing the global health crisis posed by lead poisoning and other hazardous chemicals, which have led to millions of deaths. The consultant will be involved in developing technical packages for lead poisoning prevention, enhancing national capacities for detection and treatment, conducting situational analyses of pesticide poisoning, and strengthening the network of poison centres. The consultant will also engage in resource mobilization activities to improve public health responses to chemical exposures, ensuring that Member States are equipped to handle these public health threats effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop a technical package for lead poisoning prevention, including reviewing and providing inputs to WHO modules.
• Enhance national capacities to prevent and treat lead exposure, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and pregnant women, by drafting training materials and supporting WHO's capacity-building efforts.
• Conduct a situational analysis of pesticide poisoning in Western Pacific Member States, compiling case studies and drafting a technical report.
• Support the implementation of International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities related to chemical events.
• Strengthen the network of poison centres by updating WHO's Global Directory and assessing their operational capacities.
• Conduct a situational analysis of existing arrangements for procuring antidotes for various types of poisoning.
• Develop proposals for enhancing public health responses to harmful chemical exposures through partnership and resource mobilization activities.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a first university degree in toxicology, biomedical sciences, environmental health, ecology, natural science, or a related field from a recognized university. Desirable qualifications include a Master’s degree in the same fields. Candidates must have a minimum of 5 years of experience in managing chemicals of public health concern and chemical poisoning prevention. Experience working with UN agencies and familiarity with WHO policies on chemical safety is also essential. Proven knowledge in chemicals management and technical expertise in environmental health research are required, along with good communication and teamwork skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess at least a first university degree in a relevant field such as toxicology, biomedical sciences, environmental health, ecology, or natural science from an accredited institution. A Master’s degree in these fields is preferred and considered an asset.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in national and international contexts, specifically in the management of chemicals and chemical poisoning prevention. Experience with poison centre operations and public health surveillance systems is highly desirable. Familiarity with WHO's key policies and strategies is also important for this role.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is essential, including reading, writing, and speaking. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory for this position.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to last for 11 months, from October 2026 to September 2027, with a remuneration of USD 4,500 per month. The consultant may be required to travel for capacity-building activities and WHO meetings. The WHO is committed to diversity and inclusion, encouraging applications from women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of underrepresented Member States. Candidates must adhere to WHO's ethical standards and may be subject to background verification. The organization maintains a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or tobacco users.