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1.       Purpose of the Consultancy

A consultant is needed to assist in the review and development of draft policies concerning alcohol control and tobacco control at national and subnational levels.

2.       Background

Tobacco and alcohol use are preventable behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases and injury. Tobacco use kills over eight million people each year worldwide and is a leading preventable risk factor for noncommunicable diseases (NCDs); the harmful use of alcohol is a causal factor in more than 200 disease and injury conditions and every minute one person dies from alcohol related harm in the Western Pacific Region. 

The NCD Prevention and Health Promotion Team (PND) Unit under the Division of Healthy Environments and Populations, WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific is mandated to support Member States to reduce the burden of NCDs through the implementation of evidence-based interventions to prevent and reduce modifiable risk factors including tobacco use and alcohol use, among others.

When fully implemented, comprehensive upstream interventions such as legislation and policies can encourage and support behavior change. To reduce tobacco and alcohol use and protect users and other people from their harms, WHO supports Member States in adapting and implementing evidence-based interventions and actions, including those in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products,  the WHO Regional Action Plan for Tobacco Control in the Western Pacific (2020-2030), the WHO  Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022–2030, the SAFER policy package, as well as the Regional Action Framework for Noncommunicable Disease Prevention and Control in the Western Pacific.

We are seeking a highly qualified consultant with a strong legal background and specialized expertise in drafting comprehensive tobacco and alcohol control laws, as well as other essential public health legislation. The ideal candidate should have a proven ability to develop evidence-based policies, encompassing a range of legislative instruments such as bills, acts, laws, decrees, and regulations. Additionally, the consultant should have a good understanding of commercial determinants of health and possess exceptional skills in anticipating and effectively countering arguments and challenges from the tobacco and alcohol industries.

3.       Planned timelines (subject to confirmation)

Start date:  1 August 2023

End date: 28 February 2024

4.       Work to be performed

Under the supervision of the Coordinator, NCD Prevention and Health Promotion, the consultant will perform the following activities:
 

Output 1: A review of tobacco control policies (e.g., draft bills, acts, laws, decrees and regulations) and specific recommendations to ensure comprehensiveness and effectiveness of policies (e.g., in alignment with the WHO FCTC) 

Deliverable 1.1: Review of draft policies for up to three national or subnational policies

The review should comprehensively examine the constitutional framework, current legislation, and trade agreements to which the Member State is a Party, while providing detailed analysis of potential threats, along with suggested amendments which all align with the provisions of on the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) and its guidelines, official documents from the WHO FCTC Sessions of the Conference of Parties (COPs) and Meeting of Parties (MOPs) of the Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products. Additionally, it should draw insights from available evidence and experiences from Member States or jurisdictions.

Deliverable 1.2: Final report of the policy review for the up to three policies under Deliverable 1.1

The report should provide a concise summary of the limitations, loopholes, and challenges identified within the draft tobacco control policies, including provisions related to implementation and enforcement. It should also offer key recommendations in preventing these limitations and loopholes.

Output 2: A review of draft alcohol control policies (e.g., draft bills, acts, laws, decrees and regulations) and specific recommendations to ensure comprehensiveness and effectiveness of policies 

Deliverable 2.1: Policy review/law documents for up to two national or subnational policies

The review should comprehensively examine the constitutional framework, current legislation, and trade agreements to which the Member State is a Party, while providing a detailed analysis, along with suggested amendments, all aligned with the WHO Global Alcohol Action Plan 2022–2030 and the WHO SAFER initiative priority policy interventions. Additionally, it should draw insights from available evidence and experiences from Member States or jurisdictions.

Deliverable 2.2: Final report of the policy/law review for the up to two Member States

The report should provide a concise summary of the limitations, loopholes, and challenges identified within the draft alcohol control policies, including provisions related to implementation and enforcement. It should also offer key recommendations in preventing these limitations and loopholes during the process of drafting policies.

Output 3:  An updated scan report of alcohol control policies in WPR region 

Deliverable 3.1. Summary of WHO SAFER initiative policies in the Western Pacific Region with a focus on gaps in restricting access and availability of alcohol. The scan should be based on existing data and literature and should include suggestions on ways forward.   

5.       Specific requirements

Qualifications required:   

Essential: University degree in public health law or policy, administrative law, trade law or another related field.

Desirable: Postgraduate certificate in public health law, administrative law, trade law or equivalent training/experience 

Experience required:

Essential: Minimum seven years of experience in public health policy development

Desirable: Five years’ experience in tobacco control and/or alcohol law and policy development; demonstrated experience and expertise in trade laws. 

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Essential:

·         Legal Research and Analysis: Proficiency in conducting thorough legal research and analysis to identify best practices, precedents, and evidence-based approaches in tobacco and alcohol control.

·         Legislative Drafting Skills: The ability to translate public health objectives into clear and enforceable legal language, drafting comprehensive and well-structured legislation and regulations.

·         Knowledge of tobacco and alcohol control policies: Familiarity with existing tobacco control laws and regulations, including international treaties such as the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC); familiarity with existing alcohol control laws and regulations, policy evaluation frameworks and tools, as well as the WHO SAFER technical package.

Language requirements:

Essential: Written and spoken fluency in English

6.       Competencies

1)    Communicating in a credible and effective way

2)    Producing results

3)    Knowing and managing yourself

4)    Fostering integration and teamwork

7.       Place of assignment

The consultant is being hired to work remotely. However, duty travel to 1 or 2 countries and the WHO Office for the Western Pacific Region (Manila) may be required.

8.       Medical clearance

The selected consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

9.   Travel

Travel to countries within the Western Pacific Region may be required. WHO will cover travel costs (including economy airfare, per diem allowance for meals and accommodation). Any costs associated with required visas will be the responsibility of the consultant.

10.   Deliverable schedule and delivery dates

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 an 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.
  
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
  
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
  
• Applications from women and nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
  
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and is committed to putting the WHO Values Charter 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 final candidates.
  
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever 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 apply 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.
  
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon the conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.
  
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