Writing Officer - Health

Details

Mission and objectives

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on 7 April 1948 as the directing and coordinating authority in global public health within the United Nations system. Working at three levels in the Organization (global, regional and country), more than 7000 WHO staff worldwide collaborate with the governments of 194 Member States and other partners to achieve the WHO founding vision of the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all people. The WHO Western Pacific Region is home to a quarter of the world population, WHO SEARO provides leadership on health matters, articulates evidence-based policy options, provides technical support to countries and monitors health trends. WHO South-East Asia countries are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Timor-Leste. Thailand has been as WHO Member State since 26 September 1947. WHO’s activities in Thailand are guided by the following: the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); resolutions of the World Health Assembly and the Regional Committee for South-East Asia; WHO’s twelfth General Programme of Work; the United Nations Partnership Framework (UNPAF) for Thailand; and most important, the national health policies, strategies and plans articulated by the Ministry of Public Health of the Royal Thai Government.

Context

WHO Thailand invites qualified writers with relevant expertise for documentation and development of success stories to showcase public health achievements, with focus on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Thailand. Thailand has pioneered many innovative health policies and programs backed by strong political and administrative commitment. It is one of the countries with strong leadership and cooperation of various sectors of government, academia, civil society and partners in combatting NCD risk factors. In the past cycle of Country Cooperation Strategy 2017 – 2021, there have been many initiatives to fight highly prevalent NCDs (diabetes, hypertension, etc.), the support for the control of NCD risks (sodium and salt reduction, obesity, strengthening surveillance and monitoring system for NCDs), NCD policy development fellowships, and promotion of NCD champions, among others. The requested work is in line with WHO’s value-added contribution to the country of accelerating and boosting efforts of champions and institutions, by shining a light on their work and supporting their advocacy to high level political leadership. This will also create awareness, support and promote cross-learning with other countries, which will advance Thailand’s health leadership globally. Through strategic communications and storytelling of successful initiatives, we hope to build trust and inspire others to achieve health impacts in their context.

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Medical Officer (NCD), the UNV Writing Officer - Health will perform and complete the deliverables of this assignment, which comprise of at least 10 success stories across various public health areas, with focus on NCD areas of work. This includes NCD risk factors - tobacco, alcohol, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, pollution, and mental health. These stories will be compiled as documentation of Thailand’s experience and lessons which will be shared across WHO platforms, including to relevant units at regional and headquarter levels. The officer will be responsible for the following tasks: • Coordinate the process of writing high quality success stories on various public health and NCD areas, as agreed with WHO Teams. • Working closely with WHO technical unit, partners, implementation organizations or other relevant individuals to collect data, gather inputs and comments as per format required. • Consolidate and prepare a coherent, accessible, evidence-based documentation of at least ten (10) initiatives, highlighting best practices and lessons learned. • Collect all relevant information, ensuring accuracy of data and highlight the contributions/results of WHO activities and programmes. • Share the draft document for comments/inputs and revise accordingly. The format of the documentation (newspaper article, journal article, etc.) will be decided in consultation with WHO staff. • Assist in finalizing the document for timely publication, including selection of photos and facilitating lay-out and design for publication. • If time allows, document success stories across other WHO Thailand Technical Units. Perform any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible. Results/expected outputs: • As an active WHO team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to WHO and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Delivery of at least 10 success stories across various public health areas of work, focused on NCDs o Develop additional success stories for other WHO Technical Units, as and when requested o Other writing and communications assignments as needed • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed