National Consultant - Communications, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Purpose of the Consultancy

This consultancy will support WHO Representative Office for Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore with developing communications products related to COVID-19 and routine health services.

Background

WHO is working with countries across the Region supporting the achievement of Health-related Sustainable Development Goals through technical support to to save the latest data and science, informing and engaging the public, providing updates on the current health situation, coordinating with partners, distributing life-saving supplies, advancing preparedness and strengthening health systems.

In the Western Pacific Region, WHO is supporting countries through strategic and risk communication including through the use of behavioral science and community engagement to save lives and protect health including during outbreaks and health emergencies.

Deliverables

Under the supervision of the Communications Officer of the WHO Country Office and guidance by the WHO Representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, the consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:

Output 1: Support the country office in external communication and media relations related to COVID-19 and other outbreaks:

• Deliverable 1.1: Manage social media accounts and prepare digital and social media plans in line with regional guidance and in-country specific context and priority topics;

• Deliverable 1.2: Proactively create communication and outreach content including human interest stories, case studies, commentaries and op-ed’s;

• Deliverable 1.3: Respond to media inquiries, prepare press releases, media briefs and talking points;

• Deliverable 1.4: Support country office in placing content in different media outlets and coordinate editorial content of the CO’s website.

• Deliverable 1.5: Support internal communications across the CO work programmes and activities.

Output 2: Support the Ministries of Health and the WHO with RCCE activities:

• Deliverable 2.1: Support the RCCE working group in Malaysia with the strengthening of RCCE strategy and planning, focussing on COVID-19 and other disease outbreaks;

• Deliverable 2.2: Develop IEC materials and messaging in line with WHO global and regional guidance and facilitate/provide translation to local languages as needed;

• Deliverable 2.3: Support the implementation of RCCE campaigns and projects in Malaysia and Brunei Darussalam;

• Deliverable 2.4: Support coordination with partners and stakeholders to share information, exchange knowledge and data, ensure consistency of messaging and materials, and collaborate on various projects in Brunei and Malaysia;

• Deliverable 2.5: Support capacity building activities such as trainings, workshops and webinars in the field of communication.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Minimum of bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public health, political science, international relations or a related field.

Desirable: Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public health, political science, international relations or a related field.

Experience

Essential: Minimum of five years of experience in strategic communications including experience in developing social media content and managing social media content.

Desirable: Experience of working within the UN system or with UN partners.

Skills/Knowledge

Knowledge and skills in developing social media content for communication and community engagement.

Languages and level required

Expert knowledge of Bahasa Malaysia and English is essential.

Location

On site: WCO Cyberjaya, Malaysia

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: TBD

Expected duration of contract: 6 months, 24 June 2024 (estimated start date)

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.

• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.

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The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.

Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected]

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.

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• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.

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• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].

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