National Consultant (Part-time) - Pandemic Fund Communications Consultant

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's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. With a workforce of over 7,000 employees, WHO operates in more than 150 countries, focusing on global health issues, emergency response, and health system strengthening. The organization plays a critical role in addressing health emergencies and pandemics, ensuring that countries are prepared to respond effectively to public health threats.

Job Overview:
The consultancy aims to support the Ministry of Health and other relevant ministries in Malaysia by implementing risk communication and community engagement activities under the Pandemic Fund project. The consultant will coordinate, implement, and monitor communication activities related to the Pandemic Fund portfolio for Malaysia. This role is crucial in enhancing public awareness and facilitating multisectoral coordination to improve pandemic preparedness and response. The consultant will work closely with various stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners, to ensure effective communication strategies are developed and executed. The position requires a proactive approach to engage communities and disseminate vital information regarding health emergencies, thereby contributing to the overall goal of strengthening health systems and enhancing public health security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security in Malaysia.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The consultant will be responsible for several key outputs: 1) Enhance public awareness and community engagement in pandemic prevention and response by developing Health Security Literacy Guidelines in collaboration with relevant ministries and organizations. 2) Facilitate multisectoral coordination by developing communication products and organizing events related to the project. 3) Support the Ministry of Health in updating the Risk Communication Guideline for pandemic preparedness and response. 4) Prepare monthly consultancy reports, notes from meetings, and final technical reports detailing all deliverables. The consultant will also be expected to engage with various stakeholders to ensure effective communication and collaboration throughout the project.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Health, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field. A Master’s degree in a relevant field is desirable. The consultant should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in strategic communications, particularly in developing risk communication and public health communication materials, community engagement, and stakeholder coordination. Familiarity with Malaysia’s health landscape and frameworks is an advantage. Experience working within the UN system or with UN/WHO partners is also desirable.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Health, Political Science, or International Relations. A Master’s degree in a related field is considered an asset and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in strategic communications, particularly in areas such as risk communication, public health communication, community engagement, and stakeholder coordination. Experience in health emergency preparedness and outbreak communication is also beneficial. Familiarity with the Malaysian health landscape and frameworks will be advantageous for the consultant.

Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English and Malay is essential for this position. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
The consultancy is part-time, with an expected duration of 11 months, requiring 2 working days per week, which may include weekends. The consultant will work remotely but will need to make regular physical visits to the WHO Country Office in Malaysia as necessary. The remuneration for this consultancy is MYR 814 per day, excluding travel costs. Candidates should be aware that WHO has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, and all members of the workforce are expected to adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards. Additionally, the successful candidate will need to confirm vaccination status as required by WHO before undertaking any assignments.