International Consultant_ Review of Impact of Air Pollution in Myanmar on Children`s... Tender

Procurement Summary

Country : Myanmar

Summary : International Consultant_ Review of Impact of Air Pollution in Myanmar on Children`s Health and Prepare Action Plan

Deadline : 29 Jul 2019

Other Information

Notice Type : Tender

TOT Ref.No.: 34957505

Document Ref. No. : 524083

Competition : ICB

Financier : United Nations Secretariat

Purchaser Ownership : -

Tender Value : Refer Document

Purchaser's Detail

Purchaser : UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN`S EMERGENCY FUND
23-A, Inya Myaing Road Shwe Daung Gya Ward 2, Bahan Township, Myanmar Telephone +95 1 230 5960 +95 1 230 5960 to 69 (10 lines)/ 1 230 5959 +95 1 230 5959
Myanmar

Tender Details

Tenders are invited for International Consultant_ Review of Impact of Air Pollution in Myanmar on Children`s Health and Prepare Action Plan.

International Consultant_ Review of the Impact of Air Pollution in Myanmar On Children-s Health and Prepare Action Plan

UNICEF works in some of the world-s toughest places, to reach the world-s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

Background

About 92 per cent of people in the Asian region are exposed to unhealthy levels of air pollution. Particulate matter in the atmosphere with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) is the most important environmental cause of death and illness. Both indoor air pollution and outdoor air pollution are significant threats to children-s health, as infants and children are more physiologically vulnerable. Air pollution is directly linked with pneumonia and other respiratory diseases that account for almost 1 in 10 under-5 deaths globally, making air pollution one of the leading dangers to children-s health. Air pollution also contributes to child illnesses through its impacts on: fetal growth; pregnancy outcomes; neurodevelopmental disorders; childhood growth and obesity; endocrine function and puberty; allergic diseases; and immune function. Children with pre-existing conditions and the poorest children suffer the most from air pollution-related health and development effects. Research has also shown that the health impacts can be life-long.

In Myanmar, air pollution is an increasingly serious health concern. Almost all rural households use highly polluting biomass fuels for cooking, causing tens of thousands of deaths each year and greatly increasing the risk of respiratory illness in children. Significantly, 62 per cent of child deaths from acute lower respiratory infections in Myanmar can be attributed to indoor air pollution. For children under five, household air pollution is the fourth-highest risk factor behind childhood underweight and suboptimal breastfeeding. Additionally, smog-forming emissions from old vehicles deteriorate the air quality in urban areas, in addition to burning of waste (household, industrial, agricultural, etc.).

As a cross-sectoral issue, it will require action from across Government ministries, development partners, civil society, and private sector engagement in energy, transport, industry, agriculture, etc. The actions on air pollution will produce co-benefits that will help Myanmar achieve the Sustainable Development Goals on health (3), energy (7), cities (11) and climate change (13). For example, Myanmar-s energy situation is rapidly evolving, with accelerating growth potential and interest from the private sector, in addition to climate, energy and environment development aid. For example, in line with the Government of Myanmar-s goal of achieving universal energy access by 2030, better sources to displace polluting and health-threatening biomass-fuelled cook-stoves can help address children-s exposure to dangerous concentrations of particulates. Sustainable energy access also benefits children-s education and healthcare, and lighting at night can improve security. However, there are significant obstacles and no one-size-fits-all solution, and other options need to be considered.

Momentum to address air pollution in Myanmar has grown significantly in 2019. World Environment Day in June 2019 focused on the theme of beating air pollution, and the Government of Myanmar made clear this will be a heightened priority. Prior to this, in April 2019 UNICEF hosted a partner meeting bringing together stakeholders from national and city Government, development partners, and academia—including students working on air pollution research—to take stock of the current situation in Myanmar and to learn lessons and good practices from Mongolia-s experience. It was noted that one key issue to address as a next step is persuasive evidence and identification of catalytic solutions for Myanmar-s context. These steps are part of bigger picture support for overall children-s environmental health data and policy issues in Myanmar, and the current assignment will build on past work with MOHS developing a country profile on children-s health and environment.

Objectives of the Consultancy

Data and research on air pollution, water pollution and waste—all progressively problematic in Myanmar—is limited, and more work is needed to link these issues to children-s outcomes and to inform action. The country is facing a critical moment of opportunity with rapid development occurring; important choices need to be made that can develop sustainably and with adequate consideration to environment and health.

Building on existing efforts, and to further address some of the current evidence gaps (economic, health, social) as well as promote concrete solutions, UNICEF together with Save the Children will undertake an analysis to shape an initial action plan on air pollution and health for Myanmar as part of continued support to MOHS and MONREC-ECD (with involvement of other ministries and departments). The findings and action plan will be shared by the Government at a regional conference at the end of October 2019, and may be further refined thereafter.

A technical expert (consultant) is needed to work with key government experts to prepare the detailed review of the impact of air pollution in Myanmar on children-s health and the economy with proposed recommendations shaping an action plan. The data consolidation process and final report will feed into ongoing efforts and stakeholder engagement, and will require regular engagement with key ministries/departments/partners at Union and state/ regional level.

Assignment Tasks and Expected Deliverables

Task 1

Desk work: Draft inception plan and meet with MCO for discussion / adjustments.

Deliverables 1

Agreed work-plan and scope of study

Task 2

Desk work + meetings with MOHS/MONREC and other departments / ministries for data consolidation and identification of gaps

Deliverables 2

Desk review consolidating current data and identification of gaps, including potential sources. Review should be sharable to MOHS/ MONREC.

Task 3

Field work: Participate in field visits at subnational level (locations to be identified with desk review and consultations with Government). Noting that travel authorizations within country may take at least 2 weeks, advanced planning will be necessary.

Deliverables 3

One consolidated field visit report summarizing findings. Report should be sharable to MOHS/MONREC, and will inform the overall process.

Task 4

Desk work: Draft report of the impacts of air pollution on children-s health and economy (including detailed socio-economic impact analysis). The report is to be prepared in collaboration with co-authors from MOHS and MONREC.

Deliverables 4

Draft report of the impacts of air pollution on children-s health and economy (including detailed socio-economic impact analysis)

Task 5

Desk work: Revise report based on inputs from stakeholders and partners, working with co-authors from MOHS/MONREC.

Deliverables 5

Revised report

Task 6

Meeting with MOHS/MONREC to present findings and prepare them for regional presentation

Deliverables 6

MOHS/MONREC aware and versed on findings and preliminary action plan proposed

Task 7

Desk work: further stakeholder review and follow up / additional revisions to action plan and further

Deliverables 7

Revised and endorsed action plan

Qualification and specialized knowledge/experience required for the assignment:

§ At least Masters degree in environmental management or health, economics or sustainable development

§ At least 8 years of experience in environmental management, health, economics, sustainable development, energy, or other related fields, ideally with cross-sectoral track record.

§ Technical expertise in air pollution and health impacts

§ Experience with economic analysis / valuation of health and environmental impacts

§ Previous experience in Myanmar or the ASEAN region a plus.

Interested candidates are requested to submit the application with updated CV and completed EOI form.

Description: Download File (1) Expression of Interest_ Air pollution action plan.doc

Description: Download File (1) TOR_IntlConsultant_Airpollution.docx

For every Child, you demonstrate…

UNICEF-s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at

http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.

Advertised: 22 Jul 2019 Myanmar Standard Time
Applications close: 29 Jul 2019 11:55 PM Myanmar Standard Time

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