Consultant – Community Protection (CP) for Emergencies

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO has a mission to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO's primary goal is to ensure that all people can attain the highest possible level of health, which includes addressing health emergencies and strengthening health systems globally.

Job Overview:
The consultancy position within the Community Protection (CP) unit of the WHO South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) is aimed at creating a roster of qualified consultants to support the implementation of the Strategic Action Framework for Strengthening Community Engagement and Resilience in the WHO South-East Asia Region from 2025 to 202

• This role is critical in addressing the complex health emergencies faced by the region, including infectious diseases, natural disasters, and conflicts. The consultant will be expected to provide technical assistance and support to WHO country offices and member states, focusing on community engagement and resilience-building initiatives. The position requires mid to advanced level knowledge and skills in public health, risk communication, and community engagement, with an emphasis on integrating community protection activities across various health programs and ensuring effective risk communication and infodemic management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including:

• Providing technical oversight and coordination for community protection activities, ensuring alignment with WHO's health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security strategies.
• Building partnerships with stakeholders to enhance community engagement and resilience initiatives.
• Conducting socio-behavioral insights studies to inform public health programming and risk communication strategies.
• Mapping community stakeholders and facilitating the establishment of community-based health risk mapping.
• Designing and delivering training resources for community partners and networks.
• Formulating guidelines for effective risk communication and infodemic management.
• Engaging with national authorities to strengthen social listening and community feedback mechanisms.
• Supporting the management of misinformation and ensuring timely dissemination of health information.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a university degree in relevant fields such as Social Sciences, Liberal Arts, Behavioural Sciences, Development Sciences, Communications, or Public Health. For higher band levels, an advanced degree is required. Essential qualifications include demonstrated experience in social research, risk communication, and community engagement, with specific emphasis on public health contexts. Candidates should also exhibit strong analytical and problem-solving skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, and the ability to work under pressure while maintaining attention to detail.

Educational Background:
For Band B level, a university degree in relevant fields is essential. For Band C level, an advanced university degree or higher in the same fields is required. All degrees must be from accredited institutions recognized by the World Higher Education Database (WHED).

Experience:
For Band B level, candidates should have 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in social research, risk communication, or community engagement at national or international levels. For Band C level, more than 10 years of experience in designing and implementing complex public health interventions is required, particularly in health emergencies and community protection responses. Experience with WHO or other UN agencies is highly desirable.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, with expert-level reading, writing, and speaking skills required. Knowledge of additional official languages of member states in the region is considered an asset.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy offers a flexible contract duration ranging from a minimum of 3 months to a maximum of 22 months, with both full-time and part-time assignments available. Remuneration varies based on experience and qualifications, with Band B earning between USD 7,000-9,980 and Band C earning between USD 10,000-12,50

• Travel expenses and per diem will be covered according to WHO rules. Candidates must confirm vaccination status as required by WHO before undertaking assignments, and the organization promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment.