National Consultant (NCD Risk Factors Reduction), Yangon, Myanmar

## National Consultant (NCD Risk Factors Reduction), Yangon, Myanmar - Organization:WHO - World Health Organization National Consultant (NCD Risk Factors Reduction) Contractual Arrangement : External consultant Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : 2.5 months Job Posting: Sep 3, 2026, 2:49:02 AM NCD Dietary Risk Factor Regulation Purpose of consultancy The “National Consultant” is recruited to review policies and regulations related to dietary risk factors and NCD prevention, identify gaps, and support advocacy and policy reform in Myanmar. Myanmar is facing a growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), driven in part by gaps in healthy dietary practices and physical activity. Data from the Myanmar STEPS Survey 2024 indicate that approximately 23.2% of adults have three or more combined NCD risk factors, an increase from 19.6% in 2014. This trend is particularly concerning among the working-age population, with the prevalence of risk factors increasing substantially with age. An unhealthy food environment is a major contributor to these health outcomes. According to the survey, 92.9% of the population do not meet the WHO recommendation of consuming five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Dietary sodium intake also remains high, with 18.3% of adults regularly adding salt to food and 31.2% habitually adding salt during home cooking. Overweight and obesity have increased to 26.8%, compared with 22.4% a decade ago. The resulting metabolic burden is also substantial. Hypertension prevalence has reached 24.4%, while diabetes has increased to 7.9% from 5.9% in 2014. Furthermore, 13.4% of adults aged 40-69 years are at high risk of a major cardiovascular event or are already living with cardiovascular disease. To address these challenges, WHO Myanmar proposes to support a comprehensive review of policies and regulations related to dietary risk factors, including salt, sugar, trans-fat, food labelling, sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) taxation, and the marketing and promotion of unhealthy foods. The initiative will include policy and regulatory gap analysis through desk reviews and stakeholder consultations; development of tailored advocacy materials to engage policymakers and regulators; and multisectoral stakeholder workshops to discuss policy gaps, international best practices, and regulatory options. The initiative will also support the development of a roadmap or action plan for policy and regulatory reform. By supporting evidence-based policy and regulatory changes, this initiative aims to create a more supportive food environment, enable healthier choices, reduce dietary risk factors, and contribute to reducing the growing burden of NCDs in Myanmar. Under the overall guidance and oversight of the Responsible Officer, the national consultant will support WHO Myanmar in conducting a comprehensive review of existing policies and regulations related to dietary risk factors; developing an evidence-based advocacy package; and facilitating stakeholder consultations and multisectoral workshops to support policy and regulatory improvements for NCD prevention and healthier food environments in Myanmar. Develop the desk review methodology, assessment tools, and workplan for reviewing national laws, policies, strategies, and guidelines related to dietary risk factors, tailored to the Myanmar context. Expected Delivery Date Due by the end of every month Output 2- Conduct a comprehensive desk review of existing national laws, policies, strategies, and guidelines related to dietary risk factors, including salt, sugar, trans-fat, food labelling, SSB taxation, and the marketing and promotion of unhealthy foods. Review relevant WHO recommendations and international best practices and prepareaPolicy and Regulatory Gap Analysis Report identifying strengths, gaps, and priority areas for improvement. Expected Delivery Date Due by the end of every month Develop a tailored Advocacy Package, including policy briefs, factsheets, infographics, presentations, and a stakeholder engagement plan. Conduct technical consultations and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) to validate the advocacy package and identify priority policy and regulatory actions. Expected Delivery Date Due by the end of every month Identify and engage relevant ministries, and key stakeholders, and facilitate a national multisectoral stakeholder workshop and discussions on the NCD burden, dietary risk factors, policy gaps, international best practices, and proposed policy and regulatory options. Document key recommendations and agreed next steps. Expected Delivery Date Due by the end of every month Support the development of a Roadmap or Action Plan for Policy and Regulatory Reform on dietary risk factors, incorporating recommendations and agreed priorities from the policy review, consultations, and stakeholder workshop. Submit the final consolidated report, including workshop outcomes, recommendations, and proposed next steps. Expected Delivery Date Due by the end of every month *Note: Expected delivery dates are indicative and subject to adjustment based on the actual contract signing and start date. The consultant shall treat all information and documents received or generated during the assignment as strictly confidential and shall not disclose or share such information with any third party without prior authorization from WHO. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages Educational Qualifications Essential: Minimum first university degree in public health, nutrition, medicine, health sciences, or other relevant fields. Desirable: Master's or advanced degree in public health, nutrition, health policy, health systems, NCDs, or related fields. Specialized training in nutrition policy, NCD prevention, dietary risk factors, health promotion, or policy analysis will be an asset. Essential: 5 to 10 years of relevant professional experience in public health, nutrition, NCD prevention and control, health policy, policy and regulatory analysis, or related areas. Desirable: Experience in reviewing policies and regulations related to dietary risk factors, conducting policy gap analyses, developing advocacy materials, and facilitating multisectoral consultations and workshops. Previous experience working with WHO, UN agencies, government institutions, or international development partners will be an asset. Good understanding of NCD prevention, nutrition, dietary risk factors, and related policies. Knowledge of WHO recommendations and international best practices. Strong skills in policy analysis, report writing, and advocacy. Good communication, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills. Strong analytical, organizational, and coordination skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office and information management. Ability to maintain confidentiality and work effectively in multicultural environments. Languages and level required Excellence knowledge of English. Excellence knowledge of Myanmar On site: WHO Country Office, Yangon, Myanmar The Consultant is expected to travel, including for taking up assignment. Travel arrangements will be based on the country's needs and the specific requirements of the TOR, as agreed upon by the WHO Representative (WR). Expected travel dates are indicative and subject to adjustment. Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded): Remuneration: (NO-B) level “USD 165 per day for 20 working days. Total remuneration is USD 3,300. Expected duration of contract 20 working days within the period 1 October 2026 to 15 December 2026 . Additional Information This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. A written test may be used as a form of screening. If your candidature is retained for 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