Communications for Health (C4H) Support Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Youth contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Youth contracts.

Under the overall guidance and supervision of WHO Country Liaison Officer and in close coordination with other team members in the office and by technical backstopping by the communication teams in the Western Pacific Regional Office (WPRO) in Manila and in the Division of Pacific Support (DPS) in Suva, the C4H support officer supports the WHO office in providing technical assistance to the Government of FSM (both at the national and state levels) in strategic arears as described as above. In particular, the C4H support officer is expected to play an active role in accelerating use of the Communication for Health (C4H) approach in WHO’s priority health programmes for driving the policy and behaviour change. S/he will contribute to provision of evidenced-based and strategic communications adopted for a particular audience including individuals, health workers, and policy-makers; with a view that communication that understands its audience and the drivers of their decision making can improve people’s awareness, shift attitudes, change behaviours and spark policy reform.

Under the direct supervision of Country liaison Officer, WHO Northern Micronesia Office, the National UN Youth Volunteer will:

1) Contribute to planning and implementation of C4H approach to tackle key health issues facing FSM, RMI and Palau, particularly but not limited to NCDs risk behaviors a. Assists WHO CLO in identifying and listing C4H activities in Norther Micronesia based on analysis of key drivers for behavior change in different target audiences b. Support the design and development, or local adaptation of communication products linked to health promotion, ageing, school health, climate change, and other priority public health programmes c. Support communication and community engagement efforts towards other large scale public health campaigns, e.g. routine immunization or screening of communicable diseases 2) Support the RCCE efforts for COVID-19 preparedness and response in Norther Micronesia including COVID-19 vaccination a. Participate in the regular RCCE (Risk communication and Community Engagement) meetings and help coordination with the government and other partners such as UNICEF and other agencies in the UN MCO (Multi-country office), Micronesia Red Cross, etc. b. Contribute to development or adaptation of WHO COVID-19 RCCE messages to local context and for targeted audiences c. Assist WHO team in collecting the most updated COVID-19 related risk communication materials and social listening data to be used for analysis and sharing with the government counterparts 3) Support communication related work of projects supported by certain donors such as Government of Japan, etc. a. Assist CLO in coordinating with relevant technical units and communication group in the WPRO and DPS for donor visibility activities b. Contribute to media engagement and development of communication products including press releases and background documents 4) Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities:

• Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self- reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities.
• Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs:

• List of priority C4H activities developed for FSM, RMI and Palau • At least six communication products or activities delivered under the C4H plan • Regular inputs to RCCE group discussion on COVID-19 related RCCE activities • Develop a repository of locally adapted COVID-19 communication products • Contribution to at least three media products linked to donor supported projects

• Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to WHO; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to WHO procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; • Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and WHO in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; • Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; • Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. • Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; • Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; • Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards WHO’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

public health and communication related work; • Demonstrated skills on writing, photography, video shooting/editing and other communication-related and IT skills would be highly regarded; • Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded; • Motivated to contribute towards health and development and to work with communities; • Good interpersonal, networking and communication skills; • Willingness to contribute and work as part of a team; • Flexible and open to learning and new experiences; • Respect for diversity and adaptability to other cultures, environments and living conditions; • Computer skills (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media, and others).

Working knowledge of other local languages used in FSM states (Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae and Yap) is an advantage

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), often referred to as Micronesia, is an island country in Oceania. It consists of four states – from west to east, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. Each of the four states is centered on one or more main high islands, and all but Kosrae include numerous outlying atolls. As a federal republic, each state not only has its own distinct history, culture, geography and language, it is also governed through a State Government linked to the Federal Government. The total population of FSM is around 110,000, with 35,000 living on Pohnpei.

FSM enjoys year-round daily tropical temperatures of between 25-29 degrees with generally high humidity, and monsoon type rainfall on a near daily basis. There is a moderate risk of tropical storms and severe weather events. Pohnpei, and FSM more generally, is a natural paradise covered in rainforest and surrounded by lagoons and the Pacific Ocean.

FSM is a hardship duty station level C, thus it is important to be flexible and open-minded as the conditions are relatively basic. The country has remained COVID-19 free throughout the pandemic and is only just opening up with flights and travel returning to normal by August 2022. There are several health care centres and a main hospital, where basic health care is provided.

There is a functioning international postal service and there are two main supermarkets on island, and two electronics stores. There is a small number of diners and several hotels and resorts available for on island tourism. All other types of of goods need to be purchased via mail order. Amazon delivers to FSM. Accommodation ranges from one-bedroom apartments to small houses, both furnished and unfurnished. These are modest but all amenities are provided, but flexibility is required. Public transport in the form of taxis is cheap and reliable, depending on how directly you need to get to your destination as most taxis are group taxis.

Most recreational activities are centred on outdoor activities and sports. Diving, snorkelling, fishing and sailing, as well as hiking are amongst the most popular leisure pursuits. In Kolonia there are several tennis courts and a public swimming pool. With some excellent tennis instructors being available, tennis is a also a very popular leisure activity amongst all. There are also two gyms and several running tracks/ location, and fitness classes are available.