Purpose of consultancy

The consultant will provide expertise in the area of development, elaboration and implementation of the risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) plan as part of the COVID-19 WHO Health Emergencies programmes response operations. The objective is to provide expertise to manage the RCCE to support the COVID-19 response. The tasks will focus on COVID-19 disease, virus, transmission related risk communications and community engagement and the constellation of issues that affect communication and behavior change products, messages and support to Member States (MS) and other related content for several target audiences and media.

Background

On 30 January 2020, the Director-General of the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. As noted by the Emergency Committee in its statement and advice to WHO:

  • WHO should provide intensified support for preparation and response, especially in vulnerable countries and regions; and
  • WHO should continue to provide all necessary technical and operational support to respond to this outbreak, including implementing comprehensive risk communication and community engagement.

The 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic brings about a set of distinct and unprecedented challenges. Consistent engagement and empowerment of communities and effective coordination of risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) is vital for containing the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, evidence highlights the need to strengthen RCCE as a collective effort in which the work of different actors is aligned, complementary and well-integrated.

Deliverables

Deliverable 1 Expected by August 2022

  • Translate scientific information into simplified material and messages for a variety of populations such as the public, health care professionals, civil society and community leaders.
  • Assist in the development of RCCE strategies, messages, materials, and response tools.
  • Coordinate communication strategies, messaging, and products with WHO external (media) communications.
  • Assist with the management of clearance process of messages and materials, by getting messages and materials reviewed and approved by technical teams.
  • Write guidance on RCCE for the Member States during COVID-19.
  • Contribute to the development and implementation of research studies.
  • Develop and conduct RCCE training for regions and countries.
  • Participate in senior-level meetings and with expert response teams to ensure RCCE strategy is applied to updated scientific content and nuanced situations.
  • Contribute to web content development– placement of content and creation of pages and sites; and,
  • Assist in Collective Service collaborative work with UNICEF, IFRC, GOARN and other RCCE partners under the guidance of the WHO RCCE Collective Service lead by reviewing materials and bringing WHO RCCE perspective.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

Advanced university degree (Master’s level or above) in social sciences, behavioural sciences, development sciences, communications, international relations, or public health from an accredited/recognized institute.

Desirable:

Proven training in Risk Communication and Community Engagement, public health, behavioral sciences, health education, health communication, or health promotion ideally in an emergency response context

Experience

Essential:

  • At least seven years of related experience, at the national and international levels, in risk communication and community engagement, health promotion, emergency management, part of which working in disease outbreaks or health emergencies.
  • Proven experience in the development and implementation of RCCE training, messages, materials, strategies, and plans

Desirable:

  • Experience in public health strategy or programming and/or an outbreak or emergency response, political engagement, and advocacy.
  • Prior working experience with WHO, the UN Agencies, health cluster partners, recognized humanitarian organizations or other international organizations, including at country level. Partner’s coordination, risk communication and community
  • Experience in country/field or emergency response.
  • Experience in countries that have experienced or intensively prepared for novel influenza outbreaks and/or COVID-19 response experience.


Skills/Knowledge:

  • Expertise in risk communication, community engagement including partners coordination, capacity building, social/digital media listening and analysis ideally in the field of novel influenza and/or severe respiratory disease outbreaks.
  • Good knowledge of global public health issues, those related to the epidemic, pandemic diseases, emergencies, risk communication and community engagement.
  • Proven ability to communicate clearly, on a broad range of issues.
  • Sound knowledge of the principles of evidence-based guideline development.
  • Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, with the ability to work effectively in multicultural environments.

Languages required:

Essential:

Expert knowledge of English

Desirable:

Intermediate knowledge of French

Location

Home based – Off-site.

Travel

The consultant may be expected to undertake travels.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B - USD 7,000 - 9,980 per month

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

6 months

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 an 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.
  • 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 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 putting 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 apply 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.
  • Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html
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