Purpose of consultancy

A consultant is needed to support community engagement in emergency preparedness and across multiple responses.

Background

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies (WHE) Program is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.
The WHE’s Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management Unit (RCI) ensures that people and stakeholders are enabled and empowered to make informed decisions that protect them from health emergencies. To do so, RCI communicates risks and preventive measures, engages communities and community actors, manages rumours and misinformation, builds country capacities and supports country responses, and positions Risk Communication, Community Engagement and Infodemic Management (RCCE-IM) as an evidence-based technical area of work and WHO Europe as an authoritative partner in it.
Engagement understands people’s perceptions and beliefs through data collection and analysis processes, and fosters inclusive governance to empower communities, influencers, and CSOs to design solutions for health. It develops guidance and tools and builds capacities for stronger RCC-IM responses.

Deliverables

  1. Establishing and maintaining regional network of community actors; by coordinating an informal platform of civil society regional networks and an informal RCCE-IM working group on mpox.

  2. Supporting the drafting of publications and conducting key informant interviews for development of an Influencers’ tools series to support health authorities, other sectors’ authorities, partners, and civil society organizations on engagement of key community influencers.

  3. Drafting implementation tool for guidance on co-creation approaches to health emergencies and mapping community structures.

  4. Implementing the community engagement training roadmap (a prioritized list of Member States, tracking of pre- and post-tests and other indicators, iterating training contents based on participant feedback) and delivering training in countries, such as refugee hosting countries and other subregions; -

    • Adapting the current Community Engagement modules for a multi-hazard emergency preparedness approach.

  5. Supporting Civil Society Organizations and community groups engagement and projects; with a helpdesk function for multiple responses including, but not limited to, COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, Mpox, and the earthquake in Türkiye; Armenia Refugee Response; and Israel-Occupied Palestinian Territories conflict.

Qualifications

Educational Qualifications

Essential:
Master's degree in Social Science, Community Engagement, Risk Communication, Policy Science, Humanities, Public Health or related field
Desirable:
Training in Community Engagement, Capacity Strengthening and Project Management

Experience

Essential:
At least 7 years of working experience related to Community Engagement, Risk Communication, Social Science, Emergency Communications, Public Health with 2 years of working experience on Project Management and Training. Experience working with WHO, International Organizations, or United Nations and partner agencies
Desirable:
Familiarity with tools and materials related to Community Engagement in Health and Humanitarian Emergencies

Skills/Knowledge

Essential:
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong networking skills
Cultural sensitivity
Desirable:
Familiarity with co-creation approaches to Health Emergencies and the ability to map Community Structures
Project Management and Training skills
Knowledge of Emergency Preparedness and Response

Languages:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN language/s.

Location

Offsite (Remote)

Travel

The consultant will primarily work remotely. Travel is required for country missions. WHO will cover the cost for official duty travels (onsite for insurance purposes).

Remuneration

a.Remuneration: Pay band B – USD 8,000 per month.
b. Tentative duration of contract: 1 February to 30 June 2024

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.

  • For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

  • The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

  • 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 reasonableaccommodation@who.int

  • 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.

  • WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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

  • WHO shall have no responsibility 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 each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.

  • 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 shws@who.int.

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