The Air Quality, Energy, and Health Unit (AQE) under the Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Health (ECH) at the World Health Organization (WHO) aims to understand and reduce health risks associated with air pollution exposure and the lack of access to clean energy. The unit also supports the development and implementation of WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines to protect public health.
WHO’s 14th General Programme of Work (GPW 14) places climate change and broader determinants of health at the center of the global health agenda. Air pollution and climate change are profoundly interconnected, sharing numerous common sources and pollutants that significantly impact human health, the environment, and society. Many mitigation policies and strategies offer the possibility of improving both air quality and climate change, highlighting the importance of addressing these two challenges synergistically.
As part of its efforts to address ambient and household air pollution exposure and associated health risks, AQE prioritizes the need to deepen our understanding of air and climate co-pollutants, such as black carbon. Black carbon, typically formed through the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biofuels, and biomass, comprises a significant portion of particulate matter and is also a potent short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP). There are growing concerns over the health impacts of black carbon exposure. A previous literature review by the WHO indicated that there is evidence linking black carbon to cardiovascular health effects and premature mortality from both short-term and long-term exposures. Due to the limited quantitative evidence base, the WHO Global Air Quality Guidelines (2021) only provided good practice statements for black carbon, which include (i) making systematic measurements of black carbon/elemental carbon, (ii) conducting emission inventories, exposure assessments, and source apportionment for black carbon/elemental carbon; and (iii) taking measures to reduce emissions and developing standards (or targets) for ambient BC/EC concentrations.
In light of recent developments and new evidence generated in this field, WHO is calling for expression of interest from experts to update the previous efforts on assessing the health effects of black carbon. This involves conducting a systematic review of the literature and may also involve a meta-analysis, depending on the quality of evidence, to build expert consensus on the exposure levels and health effects of black carbon and policy opportunities for mitigation.
The selected candidate(s) will lead the systematic and scoping review and contribute to the guidance briefings and outreach materials aimed at policymakers and the general public based on the results of the systematic and scoping reviews.
Expected deliverables include:
- Establish the methodology for conducting the systematic review of the health effects of black carbon, adhering to the relevant international and WHO policies and protocols for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Specifically, the review should generate information on (i) the metrics/measurements and exposure levels of black carbon in epidemiological studies, (ii) the effects and exposure-response relationships between black carbon exposure and a broad range of health outcomes, and (iii) a scoping review to assess the current and past policies/strategies that contribute to BC reduction.
- Prepare presentations of the proposed methodology and any initial findings for the 2nd WHO Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, which will take place on 25-28 March 2025 in Cartagena, Colombia. Additionally, coordinate and integrate feedback/inputs received during the Conference.
- Conduct the systematic and scoping reviews and regularly liaise with WHO technical staff, members of the WHO Air Pollution and Health Technical Advisory Group (GAPH-TAG), and other researchers from academic and non-academic institutions, including representatives from international organizations (e.g., WMO, UNEP), to support the development of the review.
- Prepare a full report of the systematic and scoping review and contribute to policy briefs based on the findings.
The WHO Headquarters in Geneva now invites eligible applicants to indicate their interest in undertaking this work. Interested candidate(s) must provide information demonstrating their qualifications for the tasks involved. This includes a curriculum vitae, a description of similar assignments, relevant experience, and examples of relevant reviews or publications, etc.
Consultant(s) will be selected through a competitive process in accordance with WHO’s operating policies and procedures for hiring consultants. Remuneration will be based on a daily rate (Band level: A) that is commensurate with the applicant’s experience and the UN common salary scale. The estimated duration of this project is 80 to 150 days over an 11-month contract period.
Qualifications and Skills required:
The successful candidate(s) must meet the following criteria:
Educational Qualifications:
Essential: First University degree in natural, environmental, or social sciences
Desirable: Advanced university degree in public health, environmental health sciences, and/or epidemiology
Experience:
Essential: Minimum of five years of experience working on air pollution and health issues, at least three at an international level.
Desirable: Experience in conducting systematic reviews related to environmental health. Public health and epidemiology experience, including at the international level. Experience in engaging in collaborative efforts with peers.
Skills/Knowledge:
Essential:
• Background in public health, epidemiology, or environmental health.
• Sound understanding of the health impacts associated with black carbon.
• Solid understanding of the toxicological aspects of black carbon underlying the health effects.
• Knowledge of the major sources of black carbon and familiarity with relevant policy/intervention studies.
• Strong communication skills in English, both written and verbal.
Desirable:
• Ability to collaborate with researchers and international multi‐stakeholder groups engaged with the topic, including those working on air pollution, climate change, meteorological, and health effects.
• Competency in understanding and interpreting reviews, reports, and expert opinions on science related to air quality, climate change mitigation, and health.
• Proficient in scientific writing and communication regarding environmental health, public health, and/or epidemiology.
Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):
Essential:
Expert knowledge of English
Intermediate knowledge of French
Location:
Off-site – Home based
Travel:
The consultant is not expected to travel.
Contact:
Expression of interest must be received no later than 16:00 (CET) on Friday, 15 November 2024. The expressions of interest are to be delivered electronically to Dr. Sophie Gumy (bonjourso@who.int), Dr. Wenlu Ye (yew@who.int), and Ms. Maria Fernanda Ordonez Villar (ordonezm@who.int), with the mention “Expression of Interest – Systematic Review of the health effects of black carbon” in the email subject. Further questions about this consultancy can be directed using the above contact information.