National Consultant - Qualitative Research and Coordination for Drowning Prevention, WHO Country Office, Viet Nam

To coordinate and implement qualitative research activities for the case study on drowning prevention in Viet Nam, including desk review, stakeholder engagement, key informant interviews, and synthesis of findings related to implementation pathways, barriers, and enablers.

Drowning remains one of the leading causes of injury-related death among children and adolescents in Viet Nam, with approximately 2,000 deaths reported each year.

Over the past two decades, Viet Nam has made substantial progress in drowning prevention through multisectoral policies and programmes, including the National Injury Prevention Framework, the Child Drowning Prevention Programme (2018–2025), and the National Programme on Child Injury Prevention and Control (2021–2030). Evidence-based interventions have included survival swimming and water safety education, safe childcare and supervision, enforcement of water transport safety regulations, public awareness campaigns, and strengthened multisectoral coordination.

The World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with Johns Hopkins University (JHU), is conducting a multi-country case study to document implementation pathways for drowning prevention interventions in line with WHO technical guidance. Viet Nam has been selected as a pathfinding country.

The consultancy will support qualitative research activities to document implementation experiences, barriers, enabling factors, and lessons learned from drowning prevention interventions in Viet Nam.

Methods to carry out the activity:

The consultant will apply qualitative research approaches, including:

• Desk review of policies, reports, and programme documents;
• Stakeholder mapping using purposive and snowball sampling approaches;
• Key informant interviews;
• Qualitative synthesis of implementation experiences and findings.

Output 1: Inception and research coordination completed

Deliverable 1.1: The detailed workplan, timeline, and stakeholder engagement approach developed by 8 June 2026.
Deliverable 1.2: The interview guides and qualitative data collection tools finalized in consultation with WHO and JHU by 8 June 2026.

Output 2: Desk review and stakeholder mapping completed

Deliverable 2.1: The desk review on national policies, reports, evaluations, and relevant literature on drowning prevention updated by 15 June 2026.
Deliverable 2.2: The stakeholder mapping and list of key informants developed and validated by 15 June 2026.

Output 3: Qualitative data collection completed

Deliverable 3.1: 10-12 key informant interviews completed by 30 June 2026.
Deliverable 3.2: The interview notes and transcripts complied in English and/or Vietnamese by 5 July 2026.

Output 4: Summary of findings finalized

Deliverable 4.1: The summary of key findings on implementation pathways, barriers, enablers, and lessons learned completed by 25 July 2026.
Deliverable 4.2: Comments from MOH/AMCA WHO, JHU and relevant partners on the desk review report and key findings completed by 15 July 2026.
Deliverable 4.3: The result package (desk review report and summary of key findings) finalized based on technical feedback from WHO, JHU, and MOH by 31 July 2026.

Educational qualifications

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master’s level or higher) in public health, social sciences, epidemiology, health policy, or related fields.
Desirable: Training or coursework in qualitative research or implementation research.

Work Experience

Essential: 

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in public health, injury prevention, health systems, or related fields;
• Experience conducting qualitative research and stakeholder consultations;
• Experience conducting key informant interviews and desk review;
• Experience working with government agencies, development partners, or international organizations.

Desirable:

• Experience in drowning prevention or child injury prevention;
• Experience supporting implementation research studies.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential:

• Strong coordination and stakeholder engagement skills;
• Strong qualitative research and analytical skills;
• Ability to synthesize technical information into concise reports;
• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of implementation science approaches and frameworks;
• Knowledge of drowning prevention policies and programmes in Viet Nam.

Languages and level required

Essential: Expert knowledge of Vietnamese and English;

Off site: Home-based in Viet Nam.

The consultant is expected to travel within Viet Nam for stakeholder consultations and key informant interviews, if required.

• Remuneration: VNM 3 in the WHO-EU cost norm 2022 = USD 150 per day, to be paid in local currency
• Expected duration of contract - 25 working days between 1 June and 31 July 2026 (part-time).

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