APW (Climate Risk & Vulnerability Assessment (CRVA))

PLEASE DO NOT APPLY ONLINE

• Purpose of the APW

The main objectives for conducting the CRVA within Pakistan are:

• To generate an updated and detailed data on the current risk and vulnerability associated with climate change, by identifying the climate related risks.



• To strengthen the understanding of the impact of climate change on human health via improved data-collection and analysis of the impacts of climate change on different sectors of health.



• To observe climatic changes in light of projected climatic models, such as RCPs, and to highlight priority climate-related threats for human health risks in Pakistan, by describing current risks including vulnerabilities and current capacities.


• To build climate resilience of the healthcare system by identifying climate-related diseases and finding solutions to prevent and remediate them through informed policy and planning approaches.



• To enhance climate resilience by developing a communication and data dissemination strategy for climate-health nexus.


• To develop a climate change and health adaptation plan of action by identifying and prioritizing policies and programs to increase climate-resilience of health systems.

2. Background

The comprehensive concern for the accelerating trends of climate change is deeply rooted in the accompanying global burden of disease. Its impact is predominantly observed on the social and environmental detriments of health, those pertaining to clean air, access to safe water, adequate food and access to shelter . While these detrimental impacts are being observed at a global scale, highly vulnerable societies are those that are located in the developing nations. It is nations who contribute the least to the drivers of climate change, that are bearing the brunt of its impact on their institutionally weak health systems.1

The impacts of climate change on human health are vast and tend to impact numerous weak spots in the healthcare system. Worsening air pollution due to increasing emissions of greenhouse gases exacerbate cardio-respiratory diseases, with recent research highlighting the negative impacts on fetal and maternal health. On the weather front, extreme temperatures lead to heat-related illness; severe precipitation, flooding, and the impact on water quality target water security, this is further aided by a high risk of invasive vectors placing excess strain on already stressed healthcare systems. Droughts and the impact on food systems lead to malnutrition and food insecurity, increased poverty and loss of livelihoods. Overall environmental degradation leads to climate-induced migration that negatively impacts the mental health of the affectees. With an associated plethora of health impacts on the rise due to climate change, conducting a CRVA becomes imperative to strengthen the healthcare systems of a nation, and to ensure that the personnel are equipped to deal with increasing risks in an efficient manner.

Pakistan’s rank as the 5th most vulnerable nation to climate change justifies the need to conduct a detailed CRVA, in collaboration with the health sector. Tools such as the STAR tool developed by the WHO, the Canadian CRVA, and the CRIDF CRVA will be utilized and modified according to the needs of climate resilience in Pakistan. The generated output will focus on the climate risk and vulnerability of communities, will further facilitate stakeholders from outside the health sector to understand health vulnerability due to climate change, and to present an adaptation assessment. The importance further lies in supporting health policymakers to aid in reducing the threat posed by climate change; to build climate-resilience health systems, and to develop communication materials to inform those at risk.

Furthermore, this will serve as an implementation platform for the objectives highlighted in the National Adaptation Plan (2023). A climate-resilient Pakistan, built on the foundations laid by the Triple Bottom Line will be fundamental in enhancing the sustainability of Pakistan’s vulnerable communities, aiding in building systematic resilience against climate change, to prioritize investments and policy reforms to support climate-resilient systems, and to foster collaboration between government, private sector, civil society, and communities.

3. Planned timelines:

Start: 5th Oct 2023 (tentative)

Draft report & stakeholder consultation: 20 October 2023

End: 20 Dec 2023 (tentative)

Number of days: 60 working days spread over 2.5 months duration.

4. Geographical coverage (to be decided in consultation with the WCO and national authorities)

• This CRVA will be undertaken at both national and subnational level

5. Work to be performed

For the achievement of the above-mentioned objectives, the following tasks are to be performed:

• Identification of relevant stakeholders involved directly and indirectly in the healthcare sector.



• Organization of a national team that would work towards the main goal of this vulnerability and risk assessment and fulfilling its objectives.



• Develop a framework for the evaluation of the existing gaps and opportunities, and the implementation of remedial measures and sustainable interventions.



• Identify the existing development and NDC priorities of the country and tailor the interventions according to the plans and policies.



• To align the results generated with the objectives highlighted in NAP, and to pave a pathway for the implementation of the plan.


• Evaluate sub-sectors and cross-cutting themes to coordinate interventions and mechanisms among relevant authorities and line ministries.



• Identification of the rising climate change-based disasters and needs of the current healthcare system within the country, need for capacity building and training programs for the workforce, and streamline the logistics of funding and resource acquisition.



• Development of a national plan or strategic framework to coordinate efforts towards introduction of mitigation and adaptation measures, as well as revision of existing policies and action plans to incorporate these interventions.

6. Deliverables:

• Deliverable 1: Stakeholder identification



• Deliverable 2 Identify gaps and opportunities in existing policies and plans through desk research



• Deliverable 3 Identify key players and consultants.


• Deliverable 4: Evaluate the need for climate-resilient health care system.



• Deliverable 5: Establish a plan for implementation



• Deliverable 6: Progress reports



• Deliverable 7: Capacity building and training workshops for health workforce



• Deliverable 8: Final Strategic Plan for Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessment

7. Payment Schedule:

Payments will be made on received deliverables according to the following schedule:

• Completion of Deliverable 1-3 (25%)



• Completion of Deliverable 4-5 (25%)


• Completion of Deliverable 6-7 (25%)



• Completion of Deliverable 8 (25%)

8. Technical Supervision

The selected individual/firm will work on the supervision of Team Lead HPLC, WHO Pakistan.

9. Specific Requirement:

Qualifications required for the individual/firm:

• Core team having 18 years of University Degree in Environmental Sciences, preferably with additional public health qualifications.

Experience required:

• Organizational experience of working on Climate Change intervention. Experience of working on CVA is added advantage.

Technical skills and knowledge:

• Ability to conduct an extensive CRVA, based on the guidelines highlighted by the STAR tool of the WHO, the Canadian CRVA and the CRIDF CRVA.



• Ability to collate, analyze , synthesize and summarize data and information from diverse following the Canadian CRVA and the CRIDF CRVA.



• Excellent report writing skills in the English language, with added attention to detail, along with proficiency in conducting detailed research, coupled with attention to technical details, and producing a comprehensive technical report on the CRVA in Pakistan.



• Communication skills

10. Languages:

• English (reading , writing and speaking)



• Working language of Urdu / regional language to facilitate communication.

11. Place of assignment

• Islamabad with a requirement for frequent domestic travel.

Do not apply online. The Proposals are required to be submitted in sealed envelopes on the following address with the title of assignment on envelope by 27th September 2023.

Address: c/o Team Lead HPLC, Promoting Health through the Life Course (Room No .6), WHO Country Office Pakistan, Park Road, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad-Pakistan