Consultant - Response to Chemical Exposure, WHO ACE

..

Qualifications

Purpose of Consultancy

The objective of the proposed consultancy is to support the work of WHO in strengthening public health response to exposure to harmful chemicals in the Western Pacific Region, including capacity development and resource mobilization.

Background

Lead poisoning is a global, preventable health crisis, estimated to have caused more than 3.5 million deaths globally in 2023. More broadly, acute poisoning by hazardous chemicals is recognized as a serious public health concern. To respond to these challenges, the World Health Assembly has adopted a resolution (WHA 78.27) calling for a draft global action plan on lead mitigation, and resolution V/10 (2024) of the International Conference on Chemicals Management highlighted the important roles and functions of poison centres to manage poisoning – establishing a target under the Global Framework on Chemicals for all countries to have access to poison centres (GFC Target A6). In order to strengthen Member States capacity to respond to the public health threat from hazardous chemicals and lead exposure, WHO requires consultancy support to analyse the situation and provide solutions on a range of topic areas relating to lead exposure and chemical and pesticide poisoning, including the role of poison centres.

Deliverables

Output 1. Technical package for lead poisoning prevention 
Deliverable 1.1: Review and provide technical inputs to modules of the lead poisoning prevention technical package led by WHO Headquarters.

Output 2. Enhanced national capacities to prevent, detect, treat and mitigate lead exposure, especially in children and pregnant and lactating women
Deliverable 2.1: Draft training materials for lead poisoning delivered to healthcare providers and feedback submitted to WHO
Deliverable 2.2: Support WHO’s global and regional work to improve national capacities through review and pilot testing of new WHO training modules for capacity building of healthcare providers;
Deliverable 2.3: Prepare progress report of the work undertaken on lead exposure prevention and control

Output 3. Situational analysis of pesticide poisoning (including intentional poisoning/self-harm and suicides) in Western Pacific Member States
Deliverable 3.1: Compile case studies, obtain data and conduct analysis of pesticide poisoning (including intentional poisoning/self-harm and suicides) in Western Pacific Member States
Deliverable 3.2: Draft technical report: Overview of pesticide poisoning in the Western Pacific Region and selected case studies

Output 4. IHR core capacity implementation on chemical events in the Western Pacific Region (report)
Deliverable 4.1: Support strengthening national core capacities needed for chemical events in accordance with strategic areas required under IHR.

Output 5. Strengthening the network of Poison Centres in Western Pacific Region
Deliverable 5.1: Collate details of poison centres which are operating for updating the WHO Global Directory and assess their capacities through administering a questionnaire.
Deliverable 5.2: Support the preparation and organization of any regional or global meetings of Poison Center networks in 2027.

Output 6. Progress report on technical support.analysis ofarrangements for procuring antidotes
Deliverable 6.1: Conduct situational analysis of existing arrangements for procuring antidotes (for lead, mercury and methanol poisoning) in priority countries;

Output 7. Proposal development for exposure to harmful chemicals
Deliverable 7.1: Conduct partnership and resource mobilization activities to improve public health response capacities for exposure to harmful chemicals;

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: First university degree in toxicology, biomedical sciences, environmental health, ecology, natural science, or a related field from a recognized university.
Desirable: Master’s degree in toxicology, biomedical sciences, environmental health, ecology, natural science, or a related field from a recognized university.

Experience:

Essential: Minimum of 5 years’ experience in national and international work on sound management of chemicals of public health concern and or chemical poisoning prevention and control;
Desirable: Experience of work at the national level and with international organizations on chemical safety and health. 
Relevant work experience on poison centre operations, surveillance and reporting systems for public health threats
Experience of working with UN agencies, and familiarity with WHO key policies and strategies on environment, chemical safety and health such as WHO’s Chemicals road map, global framework on chemicals and International Health Regulations.

Skills / Technical Skills and Knowledge:

Proven knowledge and hands-on technical expertise on chemicals management or chemical poisoning prevention and control.
Technical expertise in undertaking environmental health research and report writing.
Good communication, team work and interpersonal skills.

Language:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English (reading, writing, and speaking).

Location

On site: WHO ACE, Seoul, Republic of Korea

Travel

The Consultant may be required to travel for capacity building work in countries and support WHO meetings, at the request of the ACE Director and Responsible Officer.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: Pay band A, USD 4,500 (monthly) 
Expected duration of contract: 11 months,  October 2026 to September 2027

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.
•     For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
•     The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. 
The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. 
Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to  reasonableaccommodation@who.int 
•     An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
•     WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
•     Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. 
•     WHO shall have no responsibility 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 each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
•     Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
•     In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.