N4H Pacific Regional Systems Thinking Consultant

Result of Service

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Sub-programme Coordinator for Nature Action in UNEP Asia and the Pacific Office as a main reporting officer, together with guidance provided by the SPREP team as well as the international advisor for the N4H Pacific scoping process, the consultant will contribute to the successful implementation and completion of the N4H Pacific scoping phase, with the development of a detailed Implementation Project Document for the Pacific N4H.

Specifically, working closely with the international advisor for the N4H Pacific scoping process as well as UNEP and SPREP , this consultancy will:

1. Conduct a rapid baseline analyses on existing initiatives and investments on One Health, pandemic prevention and biodiversity-climate-health nexus as well as key drivers of biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and climate change that are connected with increased zoonotic spill over risk and other associated health risks in the Pacific region
2. Conduct stakeholder analysis and prepare a stakeholder engagement plan for the Pacific N4H
3. Plan and conduct a co-creation scoping workshop and bilateral meetings and consultations with Pacific Island Countries and relevant stakeholders in the region, guided by the systems thinking approach
4. Lead the development of a detailed Implementation Project Document for the Pacific N4H Performance indicators for evaluation of outputs.

• Satisfactory completion of deliverables and receipt of quality outputs
• Timely delivery and approvals of submitted deliverables

Work Location

Office Based, Suva, Fiji

Expected duration

8 months

Duties and Responsibilities

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the United Nations system's designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action.

UNEP as a convening partner, in close collaboration with the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) are implementing a scoping phase for the Nature for Health (N4H) for the Pacific region, which focuses on planning and conducting a systemic inquiry that concludes with an Implementation Project Document outlining how N4H, working through partners in different countries in the Pacific region, will reduce the risk of pandemics and related health risks by strengthening the environmental aspects of One Health.

The Pacific region has experienced multiple outbreaks of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, including Zika virus, dengue, chikungunya, and leptospirosis, which remains widespread in several Pacific Island Countries. Environmental change is a major driver of these spillover events. Unsustainable land-use practices, habitat fragmentation and destruction and urban expansion disrupt natural ecosystems and increase contact between humans, livestock, and wildlife. These changes elevate the risk of pathogen transmission, particularly for diseases such as leptospirosis, which is closely associated with habitat destruction and the resulting increase in rodent populations. Climate change further amplifies spillover risk through intensified rainfall, flooding, and tropical cyclones, which promote the spread of waterborne and vector-borne zoonoses. Invasive species present another significant challenge in the Pacific region. They are the primary drivers of biodiversity loss and extinctions in the Pacific Island Countries and pose serious threats to native ecosystems, agriculture and tourism, undermining food security and human health with significant economic impacts. These dynamics underscore the deep interconnections between environmental degradation and health risks and the urgent need for integrated, preventative responses.

Under the second phase of N4H, the Expression of Interest for the N4H Pacific—co-developed and submitted by SPREP and SPC with support by partners—was selected and invited to proceed to the scoping phase. Specific objectives of the scoping phase include:

1. baseline analyses, through collecting and reviewing existing data and evidence on key environmental drivers that are connected with increased zoonotic spillover risk in the Pacific region to identify key entry points for scaling-up upstream preventative action;
2. mapping of existing initiatives on One Health, pandemic prevention and biodiversity-climate-health nexus in the Pacific region to identify gaps;
3. stakeholder analysis and development of stakeholder engagement plan for the Pacific N4H; and
4. development of a detailed Implementation Project Document for the Pacific N4H. In this context, UNEP Asia and the Pacific Office is seeking a Regional Systems Thinking Consultant, to support and contribute substantively to the implementation of the N4H Pacific scoping process covering the above-listed activities and the successful delivery of the Implementation Project Document for the Pacific N4H, in close collaboration with SPREP, SPC and other relevant partners as well as Pacific Island Countries.

Qualifications/special skills

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in the fields of human, animal or public health, life sciences or environmental management is required. A first-level university degree in combination with 2 additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in engaging in the initiatives covering at least two of the following fields, with experience in the rest being desirable: One Health; systems thinking; ecosystem health; environment and biodiversity; wildlife management; emerging infectious diseases and zoonoses; public health; animal health; social, economic and behavioural sciences relating to One Health;
• Experience in the Pacific Region, and with Regional and Sub-regional bodies is desirable;
• Working experience in a multicultural environment including United Nations desirable. SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
• Knowledge and understanding of systems-thinking, ecosystem health, One Health, environment and biodiversity, emerging infectious diseases and zoonoses, and other relevant issues on One Health in the Pacific region.
• Data analytics skills

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, proficiency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Additional Information

Not available.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.