Mental health advocacy and communications consultant

Overview

Support mental health initiatives with effective communication

You have:

• Good knowledge of essential principles and practice of public health and public mental health
• Excellent writing skills in the English language
• Strong advocacy and communication skills, including use of social media channels
• Minimum first-level university degree in psychology/social sciences
• At least 3 years of work experience at national or international level in the area of mental health
• Ability to read and write in another official language of the WHO European Region
• Knowledge of communication strategies of WHO, the UN system and its partners
• Degree or diploma in communications
• Experience of developing or contributing to a health awareness or information campaign

1. Purpose of the Position

The WHO Regional Office for Europe has a new European Programme of Work for 2020-2025 and this includes mental health as one of four flagship initiatives, to be operationalized through a Mental Health Coalition that was announced in late 2020 and will be formally launched at a high-level event following the Regional Committee meeting in September 2021.

In addition, the WHO Regional Office for Europe established in February 2021 a new Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on the mental health impacts of COVID-19 in the WHO European Region, which aims to build up a clear understanding of the initiatives and strategies used by countries to respond to the mental health impacts of COVID-19 and to use the lessons of the past year to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to long-standing problems faced by mental health services and systems.

To promote the new Mental Health Coalition and ensure visibility of TAG contributions and facilitate ongoing documentation and dissemination of the knowledge and insights generated through this work, we are seeking the services of a consultant who can support the Mental Health Unit in the production and dissemination of a series of communication and advocacy outputs, including news items, summaries of meetings, thematic vignettes and other appropriate information products, to be disseminated through a designated TAG and Mental Health Coalition webpages, social media and other platforms / networks.

2. Organizational context

The consultant will work under the supervision of the Regional Adviser, Mental Health Unit, Division of Country Health Policies and Systems.

3. Description of duties

1. To produce updates on all TAG events and deliverables in corporate formats, in coordination with the Communications Officer of the Division and through consultation with TAG members as required. Deliverables: 4 news or feature stories for the website and/or social media posts;
2. Prepare communication items to support the dissemination of the TAG’s final report on the mental health impacts of COVID, including at an international conference on this topic to be co-hosted by WHO and the Greek government in July 2021. Deliverables: a FAQ/backgrounder/factsheet for press, talking points for briefings, a news story for the EURO website, and a social media package;
3. In coordination with the Communications Officer for the Division, to support the Mental Health Coalition Secretariat in the preparations for the launch of the Coalition, planned for October 2021, and to prepare follow up materials for web publication. Deliverables:

• Develop a visual identity, with associated products, for the Mental Health Coalition
• Draw up a press plan with a list of journalists and media to target
• Identify key media messages and develop press outreach products
• Identify opportunities for web articles, op eds and other content for the website in the lead up to and follow up of the launch of the Mental Health Coalition in October
• Develop a social media package with statements, quotes, photos, graphics, key messages and suggested posts to be used in the lead up to, during and immediately after the launch

• Draw up a list of CSOs, NGOs, partners and networks to amplify social media messages, and liaise with them.

  4. Prepare communications for World Mental Health Day, 10 October. Deliverables: a news/feature story for the EURO website, key message document to share with country offices, social media package using adapted graphics, images, original multimedia content, and suggested posts.

4. Recruitment Profile

Functional Knowledge and Skills

Essential: Good knowledge of essential principles and practice of public health and public mental health; excellent writing skills in the English language; strong advocacy and communication skills, including use of social media channels. Desirable: Knowledge of communication strategies of WHO, the UN system and its partners

Education Qualifications

Essential: Minimum first-level university degree in psychology/social sciences Desirable: Degree or diploma in communications

Experience

Essential: At least 3 years’ of work experience at national or international level in the area of mental health supplemented by prior experience in communications, including social media. Desirable: Experience of developing or contributing to a health awareness or information campaign.

Languages

Essential: Excellent knowledge of the English language. Desirable: Ability to read and write in another official language of the WHO European Region.

5. Contract duration

1 July 2021 – 31 December 2021; 12 days per month for a total of 72 days

6. Location

The consultant will work off premises

7. Remuneration

72 days at USD 300 = USD 21,600. Band level A.

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Potential interview questions

Added 5 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: who.int