Qualifications

Purpose of consultancy

The purpose of the consultancy is to provide technical expertise to shape and implement information provision on the control and management of noncommunicable diseases as part of the preparatory process towards the 4th HLM on NCDs aligned with the governance set up and approved by the WHO DG in close collaboration with all 9 departments in HQ contributing to NCDs as well as with the regional and country level. The further purpose is to provide information on the acceleration of implementation linked to the 16 different workstreams of the NCD department as well as to guide the Director’s Office in internal and external communication activities using all available platforms.

This requires communicating evidence-based interventions to prevent and control NCDs in an empowering way for Member States to deliver health and societal benefits to their populations.

It may also include promoting the meaningful engagement of people living with or affected by NCDs in the development of WHO’s programmes, and the refinement and communication of key messages with clarity and impact.

Background

Recognizing that:

a. noncommunicable diseases are the leading causes of premature death and disability globally, including in low-and middle- income countries;
b. noting with concern the lack of adequate global progress in combating noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) despite political commitments at the highest level through 3 high-level meetings (HLM) on NCDs during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) (2011, 2014 and 2018) and an existing NCDs Global Action Plan 2013-2030 as well as a World Health Assembly (WHA) agreed Implementation Plan for NCDs 2023-2030 and the Global Monitoring Framework (GMF);
c. based on the learning from the recent COVID-19 and the situation for people living with NCDs (PLWNCDs) in acute and protracted emergencies, recognize the huge need for NCDs to be integrated in preparedness and response in any humanitarian setting;
d. that necessary prevention and control efforts are hampered by lack of universal access and financial protection to affordable essential health services, medicines, diagnostics and health technologies, as well as a global shortage of qualified health workers; and
e. the strong links to Gender, equity and human rights as well as the environmental crises, and the very real possibility that Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 3.4 will not be met;

WHO’s Department for Noncommunicable Diseases, Rehabilitation and Disability (NCD) is mandated to lead the preparatory process towards the 4th High Level meeting in 2025.

This includes a series of meetings and activities to accelerate action at country level as well as informing the Director-General report to WHA 2025 as well as the Secretary General report to UNGA 2025 (SIDS technical and Ministerial meeting and follow-up, The NCDs and humanitarian settings, 2nd Dialogue on Financing for NCDs and Mental Health as well as regional consultations and discussions during Regional Committee meetings and revisiting the GMF).

Deliverables

• Deliverable 1: preparatory process before the 4th High-level Meeting on NCDs 2025.
  • Deliverable 1.1: Develop and deliver on a communication plan for the remaining time before the 4th High-level meeting on NCDs, September 2025.
    Expected by: 15 June 2024
  • Deliverable 1.2: To develop a weekly message and products focusing on different elements in the preparatory work.
    Expected by: Weekly throughout the contract duration
  • Deliverable 1.3: To develop a ‘monthly countdown brief’ on key events, updates and opportunities in preparation for the UNHLM in September 2025.
    Expected by: monthly until September 2025
  • Deliverable 1.4: To review and update the “On the road to 2025” webpage, including design and development of visual elements (e.g. timeline or infographic).
    Expected by: 30 June 2024
  • Deliverable 1.5: To review, copy edit, update and align relevant WHO webpages to ensure coherent messaging, including:
    • On the Road to 2025: https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/on-the-road-to-2025.
    • Global NCD Compact: https://www.who.int/initiatives/global-noncommunicable-diseases-compact-2020-2030.
    • NCD Implementation Roadmap: https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/governance/roadmap.
      Expected by: 30 June 2024
• Deliverable 2: Communication contribution for the NCD Department:
  • Deliverable 2.1: To deliver a weekly WHO NCD Newsflash newsletter, to update external public audiences about WHO’s work on NCDs, including ways to maximize audience reach and increase engagement with WHO Collaborating Centres.
    Expected by: Weekly throughout the contract duration.
  • Deliverable 2.2: To produce infographics for web pages and social media platforms in line with standard and requirements of the WHO Department of Communications, as appropriate to support the major initiatives and ongoing work for the NCD Department.
    Expected by: on going throughout the contract duration.
• Deliverable 3: Work with the Director’s office.
  • Deliverable 3.1: To produce weekly social media content to contribute to the Director’s social media outreach linked to the weekly activities and the major events/launches to key audiences and present the NCD Director and the Department as sector leaders on global NCD narratives and message setting.
    Expected by: Weekly throughout the contract duration
  • Deliverable 3.2: Contribute to shaping the different programmes messaging aligned with the NCDs narrative and the preparatory process for the 4th HLM on NCDs and ensure quality approved figures through unit for surveillance and monitoring and other related departments and units.
    Expected by: ongoing throughout the contract duration
  • Deliverable 3.3: Prepare compelling and accurate power point presentations in collaboration with technical counterparts.
    Expected by: ongoing throughout the contract duration
  • Deliverable 3.4: Develop a strategy for donor visibility aligned with WHO guidance (2-3 pager) for the NCD Department focusing on main bilateral and multistakeholder partnership.
    Expected by: 30 June 2024

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• First university degree in global health, health policy, international relations, political science, or relevant field.

Experience:

Essential:

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in policy and/or development communications / policies / programmes.

Skills:

• Expert knowledge of key specialized and emerging issues in NCDs and global health.
• A solid understanding of working with WHO, the wider UN Development System, civil society, academic institutions, the private sector and bilateral development partners.
• Expertise of developing advocacy strategies and approaches using public health research and policy.
• Expertise in conducting translatable research on the impact of NCD policies, advocacy strategies and/or meaningful engagement of people with lived experiences of NCDs.

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Off site: Home-based.

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level B – USD 7,000 – 9,980 per month.

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

11 months.

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 each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html