Terms of Reference 

Consultant for Thematic Synthesis and Knowledge Products from the SOSCHI Conference

1. Background

Climate change is increasingly affecting health outcomes across Africa through rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, increased air pollution, and shifting disease dynamics. Despite these growing risks, many countries lack reliable, standardized statistics that capture the interactions between climate and health, limiting governments' ability to design evidence-based responses and track progress.

The Standards for Official Statistics on Climate–Health Interactions (SOSCHI) project seeks to address this gap by developing methodologies and tools for generating official climate–health statistics. The project is implemented through a partnership between the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences Research and Innovation Centre (AIMS RIC), and the Regional Institute for Population Studies (RIPS) at the University of Ghana, with support from Wellcome. 

From 3–5 December 2025, the SOSCHI partners convened an international conference in Kigali, Rwanda titled “From Methods to Action: Implementing Official Climate and Health Indicators.” The conference brought together government representatives, national statistical offices, international organizations, researchers, and development partners to discuss pathways to implement climate–health indicators and strengthen data systems.

The conference generated extensive documentation, including rapporteur reports, session summaries, breakout discussions, and conference highlights. SOSCHI now seeks to synthesize these materials into a coherent set of knowledge products that capture the key insights, lessons, and strategic recommendations emerging from the conference for wider dissemination.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The objective of this consultancy is to conduct a thematic synthesis of the SOSCHI conference outputs and develop a set of knowledge products that communicate the key insights, lessons, and recommendations emerging from the event.

The synthesis will organize findings around major themes emerging from the conference discussions, rather than a session-by-session summary, to support clearer communication of the conference’s contributions to climate–health research, policy, and statistical systems.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

3.1. Review of Conference Materials

Review all relevant conference documentation, including:

• Conference highlights and related documents.
• Breakout group discussions
• Session summaries
• Rapporteur reports
• Conference concept note and agenda

3.2. Extraction of Key Insights

Identify and extract key insights emerging across conference discussions, including:

• Major findings and ideas
• Policy implications
• Implementation challenges
• Research priorities
• Examples and case studies shared by participants.

3.3. Thematic Synthesis of Conference Outputs

Using a thematic synthesis methodology, the consultant will:

• Identify recurring themes emerging through sessions and discussions
• Cluster insights into key thematic areas
• Synthesize findings into a coherent narrative
• Highlight cross-cutting insights and implications for policy, research, and practice.

3.4. Development of Conference Knowledge Products

Based on the synthesis, the consultant will prepare the following outputs:

3.1.1. Conference Proceedings Report

A synthesis report organized around the key themes emerging from the conference, highlighting strategic insights, cross-cutting issues, and recommendations.

3.1.2. Policy Brief

A concise document summarizing the key policy implications of the conference for governments, international organizations, and development partners.

3.1.3. Key Messages Note

A short summary capturing the main insights and recommendations from the conference for wider circulation.

4. Deliverables

5. Duration of the Assignment

The assignment is expected to be completed within six (6) weeks from the date of contract signing.

6. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Director of Programs Delivery and Reporting at AIMS RIC and coordinate closely with the conference organizing partners (UK-ONS, AIMS RIC). The Director of Programs Delivery and Reporting will provide access to all conference materials and feedback on draft outputs.

7. Required Qualifications

The consultant should have:

• At least 10 years of professional experience working on climate change, including areas such as climate change adaptation, mitigation, climate–health interactions, or related fields.
• A degree in climate science, public health, environmental science, statistics, development studies, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience in knowledge synthesis, analytical reporting, or preparation of policy-oriented research outputs.
• Strong experience working with climate-related research, policy, or data systems.
• Proven ability to synthesize complex technical materials into clear and accessible knowledge products for diverse audiences.

8. Required Competencies

• Excellent analytical and synthesis skills
• Strong writing and editorial ability
• Ability to work with large volumes of documentation
• Ability to translate technical discussions into policy-relevant insights
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines

9. Evaluation Criteria

• The consultant will be selected using a combined scoring method, where the technical proposal will be weighted 70% and the financial proposal 30%.

9.1. Technical Evaluation Criteria (70%)

• The technical evaluation will assess the candidate’s qualifications, experience, and proposed approach to the assignment.

9.2. Financial Evaluation Criteria (30%)

• The financial proposal will be evaluated based on the total cost of the assignment.
• The consultant offering the lowest financial proposal will receive the maximum score of 30 points. Other proposals will receive a proportionate score calculated using the following formula:
• Score=(LowestPrice/OfferedPrice)×30

9.3. Final Selection

• The final score will be calculated by combining the technical and financial scores:
• FinalScore=TechnicalScore+FinancialScore
  The candidate with the highest combined score will be recommended for contract award.

Applicants are requested to send their proposals to applications@aimsric.org by 31 March 2026

AIMS reserves the right to adjust the above dates as necessary and will notify all applicants accordingly.