Consultant, Communication for Health (C4H)

Purpose of the consultancy

To fully leverage the power of communication as a tool for improving health in the Western Pacific Region, WHO is advancing implementation of the C4H (Communication for Health) approach. C4H refers to communications principles and processes that inform and change attitudes and behaviours for defined public health outcomes at the individual, community and societal levels.

C4H recognizes that knowledge, attitudes, and social norms are key determinants of health. It uses insights from social and behavioural sciences to inspire and empower people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families.

The consultant will support implementation of the C4H approach in line with the vision For the Future to make the Western Pacific the safest and healthiest region and the Communications Unit’s strategic plan to build up C4H as a technical programme in the Region. This includes key workstreams to support building the evidence base; strengthening relevant capacity and skills among WHO staff and Member States; generating buy-in and expanding key partnerships.

Background

Strategic communication with the public, media, Member States, donors and other partners is integral to WHO’s goal of making the Western Pacific the healthiest and safest region in the world.

In line with WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work (which calls for stepping up leadership including strategic communications and advocacy), the vision For the Future of WHO’s work with Member States and partners in the Region (which includes strengthening strategic communications as a key operational shift), and the Strategic Communications Framework for WHO in the Western Pacific Region, communications must be accessible, understandable, relevant, credible, timely and actionable. WHO and Member States must listen and use their ‘voices’ to share the evidence-based information on channels and in formats that target audiences’ wants and needs to support changes to policies and behaviours that will improve health outcomes in this Region. This includes applying the C4H IMPACT principles to communication strategies. That is, communication efforts are informed by data and theory; measurable; properly planned; audience- and people-centred, collaborative, and targeted.

The Western Pacific Region’s vision For the Future calls on the Organization to expand the use of C4H in WHO’s work at regional and country levels, and to increase support to Member States to build their own capacity to use C4H for delivering better health.

Timeline The consultancy is proposed to run from 11 months.

Work to be performed

The consultant will report to the Communications Officer as the first-level supervisor and work in close collaboration with the Office of the Regional Director, the External Relations and Partnerships Unit, communications focal points in country offices around the Region, as well as relevant staff in other parts of the Regional Office and Headquarters.

The consultant will support activities under priority areas of building the evidence base; strengthening WHO staff and Member States’ capacity and skills; and generating buy-in and expanding key partnerships. The consultant will also support skills development and application of C4H principles, including the use of measurement, evaluation and learning, and behavioural sciences and insights.

Outputs

The consultant will be responsible for the following: Output 1: Enables capacity and skill development of WHO staff and Member States in core areas of C4H Deliverable 1.1: Works closely with focal points in the Regional Office and WHO country offices to build a ‘community of practice’ around C4H and support integration of C4H principles into major communications initiatives. Deliverable 1.2: Strengthens capacities through planning, developing and facilitating trainings in core functions of C4H for Member States (as requested) and WHO staff, including the Regional Communications Network Meeting. Deliverable 1.3: Develops relevant tools and materials aimed at building capacities for C4H among Member States and WHO staff.

Output 2: Supports efforts to strengthen the evidence base and proof of concept for C4H Deliverable 2.1: Works with relevant focal points in WPRO and country offices, as well as external experts and partners, to expand and mainstream measurement, evaluation and learning (MEL) in communications activities. Deliverable 2.2: Works with regional experts and colleagues at all levels of the Organization to further expand and institutionalize the use of behavioural sciences and insights, formative research and data-driven communications. Deliverable 2.3: Documents efforts to support the evidence base and investment case, for example through web stories, journal articles, case studies, donor reports, etc.

Output 3: Contributes to efforts to generate buy-in for C4H and expand key partnerships in the Western Pacific Region Deliverable 3.1: Works closely with focal points in the Regional Office and country offices to encourage strong collaboration and shared ownership of the C4H approach. Deliverable 3.2: Helps WHO to build and maintain its relationships with C4H partners, including strategic communications experts, academic institutions, UN and development partners, and WHO Collaboration Centres. Deliverable 3.3: Maintains the C4H activity page on the WHO WPRO website.

Output 4: Supports the planning and execution of C4H meetings, events and strategic documents Deliverable 4.1: Contribute to the organization of a technical meeting on C4H with Member States. Deliverable 4.2: Contribute to the development of a draft Regional Action Framework on C4H in the Western Pacific, working closely with WHO staff and consultants, experts, partners, writers, editors and designers who will contribute to the Framework’s development, finalization and publication. Deliverable 4.3: Prepare relevant documents for meetings, consultations and events, including briefing notes, talking points, presentations and official meeting documents.

Specific requirements

Qualifications Required: First university degree in communications, social sciences or related field from a recognized university. Desirable: Advanced university degree in communications, social sciences, international relations or related field.

Experience Required: At least five (5) years’ of progressively responsible experience in communication, public information, social and behaviour change communications or a related area. Desirable: Experience of working on health communications. Experience of working with a multicultural team working across multiple time zones. Experience in the UN system, preferably with WHO. Knowledge of/experience of working in countries and areas of the WHO Western Pacific Region. Experience of managing large projects/programmes with a range of stakeholders. Experience in measuring and evaluating health communications.

Skills and knowledge Required: Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Excellent planning and organizing skills. Desirable: Ability to develop and deliver presentations to various audiences.

Language(s) Required: Expert level of English (read-write-speak)

Competencies