Consultant for a situation analysis on climate change and health

TERMS OF REFERENCE

A consultant for a situation analysis on climate change and health

1.         CONTEXT

The Partnership for Health Advancement in Vietnam (HAIVN), a collaboration between Harvard Medical School (HMS), Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), and Brigham and Women’s Hospital (BWH), seeks to develop capacity for high quality medical education, medical research and healthcare quality in Vietnam. HAIVN has been working to improve the health systems in Vietnam since 2003.

In Viet Nam, climate change and variability have a significant impact on the well-being of its population and economy. Between 1958-2018, annual average temperature increased by .89 degrees Celsius and annual average rainfall increased in North East, North Delta, South Central and Central Highlands and decreased in many provinces in North Central, leading to an annual average increase of 5.5% in this time period. Sea level rise from 1993-2018 was averaged to 3.6mm per year, with the highest measured among the coasts of South Central and South East and lowest in parts of Mekong Delta, a region that is extremely vulnerable to salinity intrusion. Other common climate induced hazards throughout the country include tropical storms, heat waves, drought, and flooding. Rapid industrialization and urbanization over the last few decades have led to increased greenhouse gas emissions and toxic air pollution. Climate change impacts are seen across sectors in Viet Nam.

At the 26^th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties in 2021, Viet Nam’s Prime Minister released a statement that climate change response should be embedded in all development decisions, primarily through science and technology, and called on developed countries to support these initiatives through financing and capacity building. In 2022, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment released a national-level monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system of climate change adaptation activities that were approved in the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2021 - 2030. Indicators in this M&E plan are across all ministries that have climate adaptation activities and the responsibility for reporting on these indicators filter down to ministerial-level agencies and Provincial People’s Committees (PPC) that are overseeing such activities.

2.         OBJECTIVE

The goal of this research is to understand the impact of climate change on health and healthcare delivery in Viet Nam and outline current interventions and potential opportunities for interventions to mitigate such impacts. This goal will be met through review of current climate change adaptation and mitigation initiatives and government priorities for the future of climate change response in Vietnam and conducting interviews with relevant Ministries, PPC staff, INGOs and other local and institutional stakeholders currently working in the climate change field.

Job Location: This position will be based in Vietnam with local travel as needed to complete activities. 

The consultant/agency, based in Vietnam, will be expected to collaborate with HAIVN and its affiliated collaborators at Harvard University, along with other stakeholders to design the research tools and carry out the research activities. A local research assistant will be available for support on this activity.

3.         SCOPE OF WORK, DELIVERABLES AND TIMEFRAME

3.1.  Specific tasks:

• Literature review of global and Vietnamese literature on climate and health
• Finalized methodology and tools
• Outreach and meeting scheduling of respondents
• Data collection, analysis, transcription and translation 

The consultant will work closely with HAIVN staff to complete all tasks leading up to data collection. 

All drafts and finalized versions of documents will be developed in both English and Vietnamese and will be reviewed and approved by HAIVN.

3.2.  Expected outputs:

A drafted report, including research methodology, data analysis, and results. The report will be considered final after review by the HAIVN team.   

3.3.  Timeframe:

The consultancy timeframe is 10 weeks beginning as soon as possible. A detailed workplan will be required at the start of the consultancy. 

3.4. Specific conditions:

The consultant will report into the Project Officer/Coordinator.

The consultant will work closely with HAIVN and Harvard University collaborators, including staff from the US and Vietnam. HAIVN/Harvard University collaborators will work with the consultant to co-develop the scope, and list of stakeholders involved in the research design. The consultant will have regular meetings with HAIVN/Harvard University collaborators to report progress.

The consultant will be expected to complete the work independently without HAIVN resources. All equipment, software, communications and travel needs must be met by the consultant to complete the project deliverables.

4.         QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• PhD in Environmental Science, Policy, or Engineering; related fields, such as conservation biology, hydrology, public health, climatology and/or meteorology
• Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research and analysis, climate change or health related research preferred
• Have knowledge and understanding about health impacts of climate change in Vietnam;
• Experience in working with Vietnam government agencies and community-based organizations is preferable.
• Excellent command of written and spoken Vietnamese and English.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well in multicultural teams and partners.
• Able to generate creative, practical approaches to overcome challenging situations.

5.         APPLICATION

Interested candidates are invited to submit a proposal, CVs of key staff, examples of previous similar studies completed, and a workplan with a tentative timeline to Ms. Dam Thuy Huong at [email protected] no later than December 26, 2022.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted to participate in the selection process. The selected consultant/agency is expected to start work immediately.

Compensation is a total of USD $10,000 and will be paid upon completion of the final report. This amount includes all logistical and other financial costs associated with this assignment.