Climate and Disaster Resilient Healthcare Facility Specialist

Climate and Disaster Resilient Healthcare Facility Specialist

Assignment country: Nepal

Expected start date: 01/04/2025

Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being

Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist

Host entity: UNFPA

Type: Onsite

Duration: 12 months

Number of assignments: 1

Duty stations: Kathmandu

Details

Mission and objectives

UNFPA, the United Nations Population Fund, is a voluntary-funded international organization with a presence in over 150 countries, including Nepal. UNFPA is guided by the Programme of Action of the 1994 Cairo International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals. Its mission is to ensure that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

The work of UNFPA is based on the premise that all human beings are entitled to equal rights and protections. We focus on women and young people because these are groups whose ability to exercise their right to sexual and reproductive health is often compromised. Our work is informed by an understanding of population dynamics, human rights and cultural sensitivity.

Context

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. UNFPA’s goal is to achieve universal access to sexual and reproductive health, realize reproductive rights, and reduce maternal mortality to accelerate progress on the ICPD agenda, to improve the lives of adolescents and youth, and women, enabled by population dynamics, human rights, and gender equality.
A UN Volunteer, expert in Digital Communications is required by the country office to enhance visibility and outreach through digital platforms, key messages and engagement with stakeholders.
UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices.
In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction. UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Task description

UNV will provide technical support to the UNFPA Nepal Country Office’s Humanitarian unit and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Right unit, with a primary focus on Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and establishment of model climate and disaster adaptive health care facilities which anticipate, respond to, and adapt to climate-related shocks, ensuring sustained provision of life saving services despite climate instability.

Key responsibilities include:

• Work with local experts and support development of comprehensive health care facility assessment tools.
• Support conducting health facility assessment and identification of adaptive capacity gaps related to health systems in crisis and emergencies especially related to climate change and earthquake.
•  Identify and make detailed recommendations with required infrastructure retrofitting including energy efficient equipment, solar power, water and waste management based on national and global standards.
•  Work with local experts and monitor the retrofitting and rehabilitation of 10 maternal healthcare facilities in Jajarkot and Rautahat districts, including the integration of energy-efficient equipment, solar power systems, and water/waste management solutions, in compliance with disaster and climate-resilient standards.
•  Ensure that the project health facilities resilience interventions align with global and national guidelines and standard construction practices.
•  Foster experience sharing and collaborations with Japanese partners and other stakeholders to support the establishment of standards and guidelines for climate-friendly and climate-resilient health infrastructure.
•  Development of knowledge products, including reports, case studies, and lessons learned, documenting best practices and insights from UNFPA’s DRR and climate resilience initiatives.
•  Collaborates with team members, programme partners, and sub-grantees to ensure safe implementation of programmes at the community level, applying the Do No Harm approach.
  Expected outputs/deliverables of the consultancy are:
  The UNV shall ensure:
•  Comprehensive health facility needs assessment tool focusing infrastructure, energy source and efficiency, water and waste management practices.
•  Assessment report on health facility adaptive capacity gaps especially related to climate change and earthquake with recommendations and improvement plans
• Monthly monitoring and progress report on the retrofitting and rehabilitation of 10 maternal healthcare facilities in Jajarkot and Rautahat districts.

Eligibility criteria

Age: 18 – 80

Required experience: 3 years

Nationality

Must be a national, legal resident, refugee, or stateless individual in the country of assignment.

Assignment requirements

Relevant experience: 2 years

Languages

Japanese, Level: Fluent, Required
English, Level: Fluent, Required

Required education level

Bachelor degree or equivalent in civil engineering, architecture or related field. A master’s degree will be an added advantage.

Competencies and values

Accountability

•  Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
•  Professionalism
•  Self-management

Skills and experience

Minimum 2 years of professional experience in climate and disaster resilient health care facility strengthening and disaster resilient construction preferably within the UN system or international organizations.

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in disaster-resilient infrastructure, adaptive capacity-building, and integration of climate change measures into development and humanitarian projects.
• Familiarity with international DRR and climate change frameworks, including Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and other global standards.
•  Experience working in multicultural teams and engaging with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, community organizations, and donors.
•  Strong skills in program coordination, reporting, and capacity-building activities.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to adapt to evolving project needs and priorities.
• Proficiency in designing and implementing knowledge-sharing strategies and systems.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage and coordinate with diverse stakeholders.
•  Advanced organizational and time management abilities to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
•  Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data visualization tools.

Area(s) of expertise

Engineering and construction , Architecture and settlements, Facility management

Driving license
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Other information

Living conditions and remarks

UNFPA Nepal office is located in UN House Pulchowk, in the center of Lalitpur district of Kathmandu valley. The office is located within 1 km away from the downtown and safe residential areas for expatriates (e.g., Sanepa and Jhamsikhel) in a 10-15-minute walking distance.
Taxis are the major public transport options. Bicycles and motorcycles are also very popular ways to commute and get around Kathmandu. Taxis are frequently available everywhere during office hours. Overall, Kathmandu is very safe for walking, bicycling and the use of public transport and taxis. However, due to air pollution, walkers and cyclists are advised to wear face masks while outdoors in Kathmandu metropolitan areas. It is also easy to rent a car on a monthly basis.

Housing

Different housing options are available for rent. Typically, a lease is taken for a minimum of 6 months, and payment of guest houses and Bed & Breakfasts, and inn which offer such services – typically in the range of USD 800 per month, including breakfasts. USD 300-600 per month will be sufficient to rent a one bedroom and/or studio apartment; USD 500-1,000 will be sufficient for a one or two-bedroom apartment in Kathmandu. Local real estate agents can show prospective renters at reasonable options.

Cost of Living

Cost of living in Kathmandu varies depending on the types of housing. Approximately monthly expenses for international staff is around USD 800. There are many local restaurants and cafes and the prices are reasonable around USD 2-5 per meal.
You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator.
The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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