Consultant - Response to Chemical Exposure, WHO ACE

The consultant will support WHO's efforts to strengthen public health response to harmful chemical exposure in the Western Pacific Region, focusing on capacity development and resource mobilization. The role involves technical input on lead poisoning prevention, pesticide poisoning analysis, and strengthening poison centre networks.

Responsibilities

• Review and provide technical inputs to modules of the lead poisoning prevention technical package led by WHO Headquarters.
• Draft training materials for lead poisoning delivered to healthcare providers and submit feedback to WHO.
• 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.
• Prepare progress report of the work undertaken on lead exposure prevention and control.
• Compile case studies, obtain data and conduct analysis of pesticide poisoning in Western Pacific Member States.
• Draft technical report: Overview of pesticide poisoning in the Western Pacific Region and selected case studies.
• Support strengthening national core capacities needed for chemical events in accordance with strategic areas required under IHR.
• Collate details of poison centres operating for updating the WHO Global Directory and assess their capacities through administering a questionnaire.
• Support preparation and organization of regional or global meetings of Poison Center networks in 2027.
• Conduct situational analysis of existing arrangements for procuring antidotes in priority countries.
• Conduct partnership and resource mobilization activities to improve public health response capacities for exposure to harmful chemicals.

Requirements

• First university degree in toxicology, biomedical sciences, environmental health, ecology, natural science, or a related field from a recognized university.
• Master’s degree in toxicology, biomedical sciences, environmental health, ecology, natural science, or a related field from a recognized university (desirable).
• 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.
• Experience of work at the national level and with international organizations on chemical safety and health (desirable).
• 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.
• 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.
• Expert knowledge of English (reading, writing, and speaking).

Skills

• Toxicology
• Biomedical Sciences
• Environmental Health
• Chemical Safety
• Chemical Poisoning Prevention
• Poison Centre Operations
• Surveillance and Reporting Systems
• Public Health Threats
• Chemicals Management
• Environmental Health Research
• Report Writing
• Capacity Development
• Resource Mobilization
• Lead Poisoning Prevention
• Pesticide Poisoning Analysis
• Poison Centre Network Strengthening
• Knowledge of WHO Policies
• International Health Regulations

Languages

English