Consultant - CONNECT C4H, LAO/Communication

..

1. Purpose of the Consultancy

This consultancy aims to support the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and the Ministry of Health (MoH) in the rollout of the CONNECT initiative throughout Laos in 2023-24. The consultant will work with the two ministries to integrate Communications for Health (C4H) principles into the CONNECT strategy and implementation, with the goal of strengthening Primary Health Care, increasing uptake of essential health services, and improving community-based COVID-19 responses.

2. Background

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and Ministry of Health (MoH) have conducted workshops in selected provinces, districts and villages in to strengthen local governance and community engagement for COVID-19 preparedness and response and through strengthening Primary Health Care in a long term beyond COVID-19. The two ministries have requested WHO to further support the rollout of the activities for strengthening Primary Health Care, aiming increased uptake of essential health services and strengthening community-based COVID-19 responses. The CONNECT initiative has been planned to roll-out to the whole country during 2023-24.

The WHO Communication for Health strategy (C4H) leverages the power of communications as a tool for health. Evidence-based, strategic communications is an extremely powerful tool for tackling complex health challenges. Whether it be promoting health-protective behaviours for COVID-19, increasing vaccination rates, reducing stigma around mental health, or advocating for inclusive health policies, strategic communication can play an important role. WHO is scaling up its use of C4H to achieve health priorities in the Western Pacific Region, and is supporting Member States to apply the C4H approach for improved health outcomes at the individual, community and societal levels. In Lao PDR, MoH Centre of Information and Education for Health (CCEH) has an important role in communicating with communities for health during COVID-19 and beyond.

The consultant will work closely with the two ministries to support the CONNECT rollout and review opportunities and support integration of Communications for Health (C4H) principles via the Communications Unit into CONNECT strategy and implementation for the 2023-24 plan.

3. Planned timelines

Start date: 17 April 2023

End date: 1 March 2024

4. Work to be performed

Method(s) to carry out the activity

Under the supervision of the Communication Team Leader, the consultant will assist CCEH, MoH and MoHA on strategic communication and implementation of CONNECT initiative:

• Support integration of Communications for Health (C4H) principles into future CONNECT opportunities and refinement

• Contribute to strategic planning of CONNECT initiative by engaging the relevant ministries

• Conduct field visits to project sites for the provision of hands-on support and quality assurance

• Facilitate logistics support to the relevant ministries and WHO activities

• Organization and documentation of workshops and meetings; including taking meeting notes, and track, and follow up on action points, deadlines and deliverables

• Contribute to the identification of programmatic challenges in implementing programmes and appropriate recommendations

• Support with the implementation of ad hoc projects and activities

Output/s

Output 1: Strengthening multi-sector coordination between Ministry of Health and Ministry of Home Affairs on strengthening local governance and community engagement for primary health through rolling out CONNECT Initiative and integrating C4H principle.

• Deliverable 1.1: Technical report 1 on the rollout of CONNECT Initiative

• Deliverable 1.2: Technical report 2 on establishment of supportive supervision with MOHA and MOH

• Deliverable 1.3: Technical report 3 on MoHA and MoH coordination function from central to local levels according to M&E SOP (with challenges, opportunities and concrete steps for Improvement and integration of C4H) principle into CONNECT

• Deliverable 1.4: Technical report 4 on outcomes of CONNECT Initiative with the perspective of C4H

5. Specific requirements

Educational Qualifications

• University degree in Political Science, Public Administration, Health, Business Administration, Communications and/or relevant field is required

Experience

• At least 5 years of experience in Community engagement, participatory planning at village level
• Experience of developing communication materials, communicating results and strategic communication for impact in the field of health and development
• Significant experience collaborating with the Lao government, international organizations, and community leaders
• Experience in program management, financial management and stakeholder coordination

Experience Preferred

• Experience of working with CCEH, MoH and/or MOHA is highly appreciated

Skills/Knowledge

• Strong communication, strategic thinking, public relations and advisory skills;
• Networking capability, interpersonal skills, and strong ability to promote teamwork;
• Ability to take initiative to move complex processes forward to achieve results;
• Capable to work harmoniously as a member of a team;
• Adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds;
• High degree of integrity, discretion, and personal conduct;

Languages and level required

• Fluency in spoken and written English and Lao is essential

6. Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Good communication skills
• Producing results

7. Place of assignment

The consultant will undertake the work in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR with provincial field trips

8. Medical clearance

The selected Consultant will be expected to provide a medical certificate of fitness for work.

9. Travel

The consultant will be required to travel within the country to provide technical support for the CONNECT initiative.

All travel arrangements will be made by WHO – WHO will not be responsible for tickets purchased by the Consultant without the express, prior authorization of WHO. While on mission under the terms of this consultancy, the Consultant may receive subsistence allowance.

Visas requirements: it is the consultant’s responsibility to fulfil visa requirements and ask for visa support letter(s) if needed.

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.
• 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 from 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 put 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 are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• The purpose of this vacancy is to develop a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in this advertised roster. All applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) upon conclusion of the selection process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.
• Applicants are required to submit in a cover letter which includes a summary on how they will deliver on TOR and indicate their fee rate.