International Consultant - Health Impacts Of Air Pollution And Climate Resilient Health Systems, WHO Country Office, Viet Nam

Organizational Context

The World Health Organization (WHO) in Viet Nam is addressing the escalating threat of climate change and air pollution to public health. Viet Nam faces high climate vulnerability and urbanization challenges, compounded by data gaps and fragmented policies. The Ministry of Health prioritizes these issues, with WHO supporting efforts to strengthen health sector resilience, improve data analysis, and integrate environmental health risks into national strategies and programs.

Job Purpose

This consultancy aims to enhance the quantification and communication of air pollution's health impacts in Viet Nam. The role will support analytical work to strengthen evidence-based decision-making and provide technical input to national policy processes. Key contributions include consolidating evidence, identifying data and methodological gaps, managing projects, and preparing technical materials. The consultant will also support stakeholder engagement, including preparation for the 3rd National Conference on Air Pollution, ensuring findings translate into actionable recommendations. Broader engagement with the Ministry of Health and other partners will ensure coherence across WHO's climate health initiatives, integrating air pollution evidence into climate-resilient health system strategies and surveillance upgrades.

Responsibilities

The consultant will be responsible for consolidating national and regional evidence on the health impacts of air pollution and climate-related health risks. This includes identifying data and methodological gaps to inform future work. The role involves supporting project management and coordination, preparing technical materials, and providing inputs for WHO and Ministry of Health (MOH) decision-making. A key responsibility is supporting stakeholder engagement activities, such as preparing for the 3rd National Conference on Air Pollution, which involves synthesizing evidence, coordinating technical inputs, and developing briefing materials. The consultant will also liaise with MOH technical departments and UN partners to ensure coherence across climate health initiatives, integrating air pollution evidence into climate-resilient health system strategies, surveillance upgrades, and early warning tool development. Additionally, light support will be provided to climate-sensitive disease components to ensure alignment across workstreams.

Work Experience

Essential: Minimum of 2 years in environmental health programs, preferably in an ASEAN country. Experience in literature reviews, evidence synthesis, technical analysis, project coordination, and stakeholder engagement is required. Familiarity with public health, environmental monitoring, or climate-health issues in Viet Nam or similar LMIC contexts is necessary. Desirable: Experience with government agencies, UN organizations, development partners, or research institutions, and supporting workshops/conferences.

Skills

• Basic understanding of air pollution and health linkages, environmental exposures, or climate-related health risks. • Strong analytical skills for synthesizing complex information. • Excellent organizational and coordination skills. • Strong written and verbal communication skills. • Ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders. • Ability to liaise with communication teams for technical messaging.

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