Consultant (Lead Exposure and Poison Project)

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity (Overview of the programme):

Lead exposure remains a significant public health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where informal industries, contaminated consumer products, and legacy sources persist. WHO has a unique role in supporting countries to strengthen clinical management of lead poisoning, enhance the capacity of poisons centers, and ensure availability of antidotes/chelators. These areas are part Bloomberg Philanthropies’ initiative of Lead elimination being implemented by other partners and WHO’s specificrole at country and global level.

In Ethiopia, recent assessments have revealed multiple exposure pathways, including recycled metal utensils, unsafe battery acid disposal, and informal economic practices that contribute to chronic lead exposure. Public awareness of lead risks remains low, enforcement of standards is weak, and laboratory capacity to test children for blood lead levels is limited. Clinical capacity at health care facilities to diagnose and manage lead poisoning is underdeveloped, with few trained toxicologists and limited treatment protocols. Ethiopia also lacks well-established poisons centers and a functional referral system, leaving patients without specialized support and hindering coordinated responses to toxic exposures. These gaps underscore the urgent need for WHO’s technical assistance in clinical management, poisons center strengthening, and antidote procurement.

Purpose of the Post:

The consultant will provide technical support to the Ministry of Health to:

1.      Strengthen clinical management of lead exposure at national and subnational levels.

2.      Enhance the role and capacity of poisons centers in surveillance, case management, and public communication.

3.      Support antidote/chelator procurement capacity, ensuring sustainable access to essential medicines for lead poisoning. 

Organizational Context

The consultant will work under the overall supervision of DPC cluster team lead and report to the WHO Country Office NPO (Health and Environment ) and work closely with the Ministry of Health, relevant lead executive office and others WHO.

GRADE

NO-C

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Activity 1: Clinical Management of Lead Exposure

·         Review existing national protocols and guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of lead poisoning.

·         Share the findings with the technical working group, collect feedback, and incorporate it into the final documents.

·         Develop or update Lead Poisoning clinical management guidelines, training modules, and job aids for clinicians.

·         Conduct training workshops for health professionals on case detection, management, and referral pathways.

·         Provide technical advice on integrating lead exposure management into broader toxicology and medical services or emergency healthcare systems.

Activity 2: Strengthening Poisons Centers

·         Assess current capacity of national/regional poisons centers (staffing, infrastructure, data systems).

·         Develop SOPs for case reporting, triage, and response to lead exposure incidents.

·         Facilitate training for poisons center staff on toxicovigilance, risk communication, and coordination with health facilities.

·         Support establishment of a national poisons center network and linkages with international networks

Activity 3: Antidote/Chelator Procurement Capacity

·         Map current availability and procurement pathways for antidotes/chelators (e.g., EDTA, DMSA).

·         Provide technical guidance on forecasting, procurement, and stockpiling strategies.

·         Develop a national procurement and supply plan in collaboration with MoH, WHO, and partners.

·         Develop the estimation cost of chelation medicine and help the MoH with the procurement process.

·         Support advocacy for inclusion of chelators in essential medicines lists and financing mechanisms.

Deliverables

Ø  Month 3: Draft updated clinical management guidelines and training materials.

Ø  Month 5: Poisons center capacity assessment report and SOPs finalized.

Ø  Month 6: Training workshops completed for clinicians and poisons center staff.

Ø  Month 7: National procurement and supply plan for antidotes/chelators delivered; final technical report submitted.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

First Degree in medicine.

Desirable:

·         Specialization in internal medicine, toxicology, pharmacology, or public health.

·         Additional certifications or training in chemical safety, poisons center operations, or emergency healthcare systems.

Experience

Essential:

·         At least 5 years of experience as medical doctor working in health care facilities, clinical toxicology, poisons center operations, or health emergency.

·         Proven experience in guidelines and training package development, and health systems strengthening.

Desirable:

·         Experience working with ministries of health, WHO, or other international organizations.

·         Direct involvement in procurement and supply chain management of essential medicines.

·         Familiarity with WHO frameworks and international toxicology networks

FUNCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Essential:

·         Strong communication and report-writing skills.

·         Ability to develop clinical management guidelines, training modules, and SOPs.

·         Technical expertise in toxicology and clinical management of lead exposure.

·         Capacity to conduct training workshops and facilitate stakeholder engagement.

Desirable:

·         Skills in advocacy for policy integration of essential medicines lists

·         Experience in establishing or strengthening national networks

·         Knowledge of forecasting, procurement, and stockpiling strategies for essential medicines list

WHO COMPETENCIES

1.   Teamwork

2.   Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

3.   Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

4.  Communication

5.  Producing Results

USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS

Essential: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and knowledge of Amharic.

Desirable: Working knowledge of other WHO official language would be an asset.

OTHER SKILLS (E.G. IT SKILLS)

Excellent knowledge of MS office software applications.

REMUNERATION

This is a National Consultant contract at NO-C, with a monthly remuneration of $3,598.00 paid in local currency equivalent.

                ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

1)       The duty station for this position is Addis Ababa.

2)       This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

3)       Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

4)       A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

5)       In the event your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

6)       According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

7)       Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and E-Manual.

8)       The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

9)       The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce . Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion [link removed]) are strongly encouraged to apply.

10)  Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected] [link removed]

11)  An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values [link removed]) into practice.

12)  WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of short-listed candidates.

13)  WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

14)  For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int [link removed]

15)  This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.