Consultant (mecr)

Organizational Context

IOM Sri Lanka is implementing a project to address the significant health impacts of climate change. Sri Lanka faces imminent health challenges like increased vector-borne diseases and heat stress. The project aims to strengthen the national policy environment and implement grassroots actions to reduce vulnerability. It will develop a climate health risk communication strategy and action plan, prioritizing vulnerable groups and enhancing health systems for universal health coverage and equity.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to develop and implement a comprehensive National Climate-Induced Health-Risk Communication Strategy and a supporting National Implementation Plan for Sri Lanka. The role involves designing and validating these key documents through multi-stakeholder consultations, ensuring they are evidence-based and aligned with national assessments. A critical component is the development and piloting of a specialized Training of Trainers (ToT) Manual to institutionalize climate-health risk communication skills within the Ministry of Health's frontline workforce. The ultimate goal is to equip public health officers and relevant officials with the necessary tools and skills to effectively communicate climate adaptation messages and promote community resilience against climate-induced health impacts, thereby reducing the burden on the national health system and fostering health literacy.

Responsibilities

The consultant will report to the Programme Manager and collaborate with relevant IOM staff. Key responsibilities include developing and validating a National Community Climate-Induced Health-Risk Communication Strategy through consultative workshops and stakeholder engagement. This involves leading technical aspects of workshop facilitation and liaising with officials. The consultant will also formulate a National Implementation Plan aligned with the strategy, including developing and validating a standardized training curriculum. Furthermore, the role requires developing a Training of Trainers (ToT) manual for climate health-risk communication, focusing on practical tools like vulnerability mapping and inclusive communication strategies. The consultant will conduct sensitization workshops for government officials and deliver ToT sessions across four districts to build capacity within the Ministry of Health's frontline workforce, ensuring the institutionalization of climate-health risk communication into the Ministry's annual training agenda.

Work Experience

Requires at least 15 years of professional experience in developing National Strategies or Implementation Plans within Sri Lanka's health or environmental sectors. Essential experience includes health emergency management, disaster preparedness, environment management (including environmental health), and public health program implementation at national, district, and community levels. Experience in curriculum development and conducting training for healthcare staff is also necessary.

Skills

Strategic Communication, Stakeholder Mapping, Workshop Facilitation, Risk Communication Strategy Development, Curriculum Development, Training Delivery, Report Writing, Presentation Skills, Public Health Program Management, Environmental Health, Health Emergency Management, Disaster Preparedness, Vulnerability Mapping, Inclusive Communication Strategies.

Explore related opportunities