WHO Consultant for National Action Plan for Health Security Editing

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has more than 7,000 employees worldwide. WHO's work encompasses a wide range of health issues, including disease prevention, health promotion, and emergency response, with a focus on achieving universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Job Overview:
The position of WHO Consultant for the National Action Plan for Health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security (NAPHS) involves providing essential editorial support to the Government of Malawi as it prepares its NAPHS for the years 2026 to 203

• This role is critical in ensuring that the document meets high standards of clarity, coherence, and technical accuracy, which are necessary for effective communication with government officials, development partners, and international audiences. The consultant will be responsible for comprehensive editing, proofreading, and formatting of the NAPHS document, which serves as a strategic framework for enhancing national capacities in emergency preparedness and response to public health threats. The consultant's work will contribute to the broader goals of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that Malawi is equipped to handle health emergencies effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will undertake a variety of tasks, including but not limited to: reviewing the complete NAPHS document, including all annexes and supporting materials; performing comprehensive copy-editing to enhance readability and coherence; correcting grammatical errors and ensuring consistency in terminology and formatting; verifying references and citations; standardizing document elements according to WHO and Government of Malawi standards; recommending substantive edits to improve accessibility; tracking all revisions using Microsoft Word Track Changes; incorporating feedback from WHO and the Ministry of Health; and delivering a clean, publication-ready version of the NAPHS. The consultant will also be expected to provide an editorial report summarizing key edits and recommendations for future publications.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess an advanced university degree (Master's level or higher) in English, Communications, Journalism, International Development, Social Sciences, or a related field. A background in Public Health Communications is considered an advantage. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of professional experience in editing, copy-editing, technical writing, or publication development, with a proven track record in editing complex documents within public health or international organization settings. Experience working with multisectoral documents involving various stakeholders is essential, while previous experience supporting WHO or similar organizations is highly desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational requirement for this position is an advanced university degree, specifically at the Master's level or higher, in fields such as English, Communications, Journalism, International Development, Social Sciences, or related disciplines. A specialization in Public Health Communications is preferred but not mandatory. This educational background is crucial for ensuring that the consultant has the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively edit and prepare the NAPHS document for publication.

Experience:
The consultant is expected to have a minimum of five years of demonstrated professional experience in relevant fields such as editing, copy-editing, technical writing, or publication development. This experience should include a strong focus on editing complex technical documents, particularly in the context of public health, health security, or international development. Familiarity with working in multisectoral environments and collaborating with diverse stakeholders is also essential for success in this role. Previous experience with WHO or similar organizations will be considered a significant advantage.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English is mandatory for this position, as the consultant will be required to edit and proofread documents to a high standard. Exceptional editing and proofreading skills are essential. While English is the primary language required, knowledge of additional languages may be considered beneficial but is not mandatory for this role.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is expected to be primarily home-based, with one in-person meeting in Lilongwe and additional virtual consultations as necessary. The contract duration is for ten working days, with a start date of 10 August 202

• The consultant will be compensated at a daily rate equivalent to the National Officer Category (NOC) Level 3 rate, in accordance with WHO consultancy policies. Payment will be milestone-based, contingent upon the satisfactory completion and acceptance of all deliverables by WHO. The consultant will be responsible for all applicable taxes and obligations, and all materials produced during the consultancy will remain the intellectual property of the Ministry of Health and WHO.