National Consultant – Communications for Health (C4H) Capacity Building Support, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Purpose of Consultancy

This consultancy contract for a nationally recruited individual service contractor is being raised for them to provide technical support to WHO Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and, on request, the Ministry of Health (MoH) in Lao PDR with Communications for Health (C4H) capacity building, specifically designing and delivering training packages for national and sub-national levels, as well as designing and scoping immunization-related communications strategies and plans.

Background

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) has been enhancing its Communications for Health (C4H) capability, in line with the all-Member State endorsement of the WPRO Communications for Health (C4H) framework. In general, C4H implementation will require significant capacity building efforts at a technical level, as well as practical support for C4H activities/priority health topics – including vaccination.

With this in view, WHO Lao PDR is recruiting a short-term consultant under below terms of reference.

Deliverables

Under the supervision of the WHO Team Leader (Communications) and working closely with the various Ministry of Health departments, other relevant government agencies, the UN Lao PDR country team communications network, international partners and other teams within WHO, the consultant will support the following activities:

• Support development of 2-3 training packages for key C4H capacity needs in Lao PDR, specifically to include Measurement, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), particularly from a practical/implementation-focused perspective.
• Support development of 2-3 in-depth technical proposals, budgets and materials (the latter as feasible within the timeframe) for implementation-ready vaccine communications campaign activities.
• Support development and implementation of C4H/Capacity Building-focused dengue model village activity.
• Provide additional corporate communications or crisis communications support as required, in the event of major issues or incidents.

The consultant’s place of work will be the Country Office in Vientiane Capital. However, they may be deployed to other provinces when needed. These deployments will usually be short (a week or so) and conducted with other colleagues from the Country Office as well as Lao health officials from national, provincial and/or district level. Deployments may also include visits to WHO supported project(s), to gather content for development of communication materials, to document impacts for beneficiaries and communities.

Output 1: Support development of 2-3 training packages for key C4H capacity needs in Lao PDR, specifically to include Measurement, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), particularly from a practical/implementation-focused perspective.
Deliverable 1.1: Liaise with senior MOH/PHO stakeholders to review previously delivered products at CO and RO level and identify potential gaps and opportunities.
Deliverable 1.2: Develop the agenda, training materials, exercises and other materials for 2-3 priority gap technical C4H areas, including evaluation/assessment tools.
Delivery 1.3: Coordinate the localisation, translation and context-specific revision, testing and evaluation of the training package to ensure effective delivery.

Output 2: Support development of 2-3 in-depth C4H technical activities relating to vaccination.
Deliverable 2.1: Support development of 2-3 in-depth technical proposals, budgets and materials (the latter as feasible within the timeframe) for implementation-ready vaccine communications campaign activities.
Deliverable 2.2: Coordinate all localisation, translation and context-specific revision, testing and evaluation of vaccine communications campaign to ensure effective delivery.

Output 3: Support development and implementation of C4H/Capacity-building-focused dengue model village activity, including liaison with Government stakeholders, review of data-gathering materials, translation, testing/evaluation, and support for deployments to communities alongside Government/community stakeholders
Deliverable 3.1: Provide real-time support in planning, liaison and on-the-ground support to MOH/DCDC/NCLE during dengue model village community outreach and data collection.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualification

Essential: University degree related to Social Science, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Health or related field from a recognized university.
Desirable: Masters’ degree related to Social Science, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Health or related field from a recognized university.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of three years work experience in journalism, health, media and/or communications-related field, including experience at an international organization.
Desirable:

• Experience in media or communications work on international health issues or experience in coaching others in effective communications skills.; experience developing strategic communications plans and strategies; familiarity with effective training or pedagogical practises specific to the Lao PDR context.
• Experience in risk communication or public health will be an advantage.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Excellent knowledge on communications, capacity building, risk communications or SBCC/related topics.
• Excellent writing skills;
• Excellent training and engagement skills for diverse audiences;
• Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse cultural and educational backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

Language requirements:

Proficient English and Lao (speaking, reading and writing) is essential.

Location

Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Travel

The Consultant might be expected to travel according to the requests of WR and or technical units at a later stage, and the travel related costs will be covered by the requester.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: TBD
Target start date: 29 July 2024

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.

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.
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