Purpose of consultancy  

To strategically lead the development and implementation of the WHO Country Office's communication strategies, ensuring they directly advance national public health objectives and align with WHO's global mandate. The core purpose is to significantly enhance the visibility and understanding of WHO's work and achievements among key national stakeholders, partners, and the public. 

Background

The WHO country office for Timor-Leste is committed to strengthening its visibility through strategic communication efforts. As part of its ongoing initiatives, the organization aims to enhance public awareness of its programs, increase engagement with target audiences, and effectively disseminate key messages through a range of channels, including digital media platforms, print materials, press engagement, and official events.

Under the overall supervision of WHO Representative and direct supervision of the Programme Management Specialist, the incumbent is expected to perform the following duties:

Deliverables

Deliverable 1: A Supervised, High-Performing Communication Team

Effective oversight of the WCO communications team, evidenced by clear workplans, regular coaching meetings, and the professional development of team members.

Deliverable 2: A Strategic Digital Content Pipeline

A consistent flow of high-quality, multi-format content (social media campaigns, impact stories, videos, website updates) that proactively highlights WCO's work and achievements.

Deliverable 3: An Optimized and High-Traffic Digital Presence

A redesigned, robust, and regularly updated WCO website that serves as a key public information hub, with measurable growth in user traffic and engagement.

Deliverable 4: Strengthened Health Communication Partnerships

Formalized coordination with MoH units and partner agencies, resulting in co-created IEC/advocacy materials and aligned social mobilization efforts for public health initiatives.

Deliverable 5: An Active Media Network and Enhanced Visibility

An expanded and engaged network of journalists, leading to increased quality coverage of WCO work through systematic media outreach, sensitization programs, and regular press releases.

Deliverable 6: Authoritative Executive and Programme Communications

Timely and polished communications products (donor reports, impact stories, WR speeches, op-eds) that effectively represent the WCO at high-level national and international forums.

Deliverable 7: Integrated Campaigns and UN Collaboration

Seamless support for regional (SEARO) campaigns and active participation in UN country team (UNCG) initiatives, ensuring the WCO's voice is part of broader health and development advocacy.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

 Educational Qualifications: 

Essential: A university degree in communications, social/health science, public health, or related field from a recognized university.

Desirable: Advanced university degree in medicine /Advanced degree in communications, social/health science, public health, or related field.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years of professional work experience in health communications/healthjournalism.

Desirable: Experience of work with public sector/government/international health organizations is an asset, such as the experience of working with UN or other international development organizations.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

·Considerable experience of using social media platforms for mass communication.

·Demonstrated experience of developing technical reports related to the field of public health.

·Ability to support a young team of communications assistants at junior level.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English with excellent communication and writing skills.

Desirable:

Basic Knowledge of Tetum and/or Portuguese

Location

On site: WHO Country Office, Dili, Timor-Leste

Travel

If travel is involved, full medical clearance is required. The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

Local travel within the country, where needed, will be arranged by WCO Timor-Leste.

The Consultant is expected to travel, including for taking up assignment, according to the itinerary prepared at the time of issuing the contract.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

• Remuneration: Band level A – USD 3,955 – 6,980 per month, depending on the consultant’s experience and educational qualification.

• Living expenses: (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited): Per diem will be paid as per WHO rules applicable to International consultant for travel.

• Expected duration of contract: 11 months. Additional contracts (up to 22 months maximum) can be offered based on funding availability and satisfactory performance.

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.

• In case the recruitment website does not display properly, please retry by: (i) checking that you have the latest version of the browser installed (Chrome, Edge or Firefox); (ii) clearing your browser history and opening the site in a new browser (not a new tab within the same browser); or (iii) retry accessing the website using Mozilla Firefox browser or using another device. Click the link for detailed guidance on completing job applications: Instructions for candidates.