SENIOR RESEARCH CONSULTANT, URBAN POLLUTION AND CHILD HEALTH
Background: Urban air pollution poses risks to children’s health globally. In 2004 an estimated 1.15
million people died prematurely due to outdoor air pollution in cities and in 2008, the number rose
to 1.34 million. These numbers keep increasing with rapid urbanization and increasing air pollution.
This significant challenge requires new evidence, as well as solution-driven partnerships between
academia, the private sector and government.
UNICEF is commissioning a consultant to analyze data on the causal links between urban air
pollution and child survival, the effectiveness of interventions and projections for outdoor air
pollution and related child health outcomes. This consultant should be a skilled researcher, capable
of and with significant expertise in fostering partnerships with global leaders in the field.
This position would be based in New York and would require a short Geneva trip to collaborate with
WMO and WHO.
1. Expected results: (measurable results)
The consultant will be responsible for conducting a literature review and analysis on the following:
 Expanding sources of evidence for ambient air in cities;
 Existing data on the relationship between attributable disease burdens, child mortality and
outdoor air pollution;
 Effective mitigation interventions;
 Evidence produced by the Global database for urban air quality (see
http://www.who.int/phe/health_topics/outdoorair/databases/en/index.html
),
which
compiles air quality information for 1,100 cities;
 The links between indoor and outdoor air pollution in cities;
 The causal relationship between outdoor air pollution and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
 Simultaneously, the consultant will be responsible for managing a simulation that forecasts
air quality and impacts on child health in cities. The consultant will be expected to utilize the
global database for urban air quality (1,100 cities) and collaborate with WMO’s air quality
forecasting and WHO’s environmental health teams.
Deliverables
Develop literature review portion
of report
Develop simulation model
forecasting outdoor air pollution
and impacts on child health
Combine literature review and
model analyses into short datadriven report for first draft of
report
Submit final report to UNICEF HQ
(to be reviewed by UNICEF, WHO
and WMO colleagues)
Finalize report and launch results
Key Competencies:
Deadline
15 November 2012
1 December 2012
15 December 2012
31 December 2012
31 January 2013
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Masters degree in Public Health or PhD with strong epi-biostats and statistical modeling
focus required;
Degree in environmental health as relating to human health impacts desired;
Excellent writing and literature review skills;
10-15 years data analysis experience required;
Fluency in statistical modeling and building a simulation model;
Experience working within a highly results-oriented non-profit, municipality and/or UN
agency required;
How to Apply:
Qualified candidates are requested to submit a cover letter, CV and P 11 form (which can be
downloaded from our website at http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/index_53129.html) to
pdconsultants@unicef.org with subject line “RESEARCHER, AIR POLLUTION AND CHILD HEALTH” by
22 October 2012.