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Purpose of the consultancy

This consultancy (0.5FTE) will support the Strategic Communications Pillar of the COVID-19 Incident Management Support Team (IMST) with capacity building and ongoing preparedness and response activities related to COVID-19 and other outbreaks and health emergencies.

Background

As outlined with For the Future: Towards the Healthiest and Safest Region WHO has a vision to make the Western Pacific the safest and healthiest region. All countries in this Region face significant health security threats and the next outbreak of infectious disease can strike at any time. To provide a strategic approach to guide efforts of all Member States, the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases, Public Health Emergencies (APSED III) was formulated. With this strategy, WHO supports countries to prepare for and respond to pandemics, health emergencies and outbreaks and build resilient health systems that prevent epidemics. One of the focus areas in APSED III is Risk Communication which covers a broad range of communication capacities necessary to enable individuals and communities to make informed decisions, undertake positive behaviour change and maintain trust in health authorities. The 2015 APSED evaluation demonstrated that the capacity for risk communication across Member States is variable and that the availability of trained personnel for risk communication within the Asia Pacific region needs to be enhanced.

Planned timelines

Start date: 10 October 2022 End date: 31 December 2022

Work to be performed

Under the joint supervision of the Technical Officer, Risk Communication (WHE) and COVID-19 IMST Communication Pillar Lead and the management of the Incident Manager, the consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:

Output 1: Provide technical support to WHO WPRO IMST for COVID-19 and other disease outbreak preparedness and response (5% FTE)

Deliverable 1.1: Provide support to deliver on timely and quality communication activities for the COVID-19 response and potential emergencies

Output 2: Support the implementation of capacity building activities in response to COVID-19 (40% FTE)

Deliverable 2.1: Design and implement capacity building activities at the regional and country levels through project management and coordination across all involved stakeholders, including the development of concept notes, seeking necessary approvals and alignment among facilitators and trainers.

Deliverable 2.2: Develop and curate training content that include interactive exercises, are tailored to the local context and integrate and reflect WHO technical guidelines.

Deliverable 2.3: Deliver face-to-face and/or hybrid or online activities

Deliverable 2.4: Ensure the reporting and documentation of training outcomes including the archiving of all training materials in editable formats

Deliverable 2.5: Ensure high-quality monitoring of quality of capacity building activities (including pre and post assessment of knowledge, expectations and confidence) and reporting

Output 3: Support to strengthening risk communication activities in selected countries (5% FTE)

Deliverable 3.1: Engage in regional-country level dialogues and provide technical support in developing tailored country strategy and action plans for the sustained management of COVID-19

Deliverable 3.2: Provide technical inputs to prepare, test and revise risk communication plans and strategies to support Member States

Deliverable 3.3: Provide timely and quality technical support on risk communication as requested by the supervisor

Other Deliverables:

• Progress report (monthly); and
• End of Mission Technical Report at the end of consultancy

Specific requirements

Qualifications

Advanced university degree in Health Sciences, Public Health, Social Science, Communications, Journalism, or a related field from a recognized university

Experience

Minimum of 7 years of experience in communications and/or data collection, analysis and presentation including experience of emergency communications and response. Experience of working within the UN system or with UN partners is preferred.

Skills and knowledge

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent analytical, planning and organizational skills
• Ability to work in a team with limited supervision

Language

Written and spoken fluency in English is essential.

Competencies

• Technical expertise
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Producing results
• Ensuring effective use of resources
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.

Place of assignment

This consultancy will be conducted remotely, with duty travel to a designated country for targeted support.

Medical clearance

The selected consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Travel

One duty travel to a designated country for targeted support

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant will receive subsistence allowance.

Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.