JOB DESCRIPTION
Purpose of the consultancy
This part-time consultancy (50%) will support the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific with the use of behavioural insights, including collection and analysis of multisource data and application of relevant insights to communication and other public health interventions. It will also support building behavioural science capabilities within the Region.
Background
Communication used strategically can be a powerful tool to address growing and complex health challenges. In the digital age, communication is more important than ever; however, using communication strategically requires expertise, skills, and resources.
Drawing on social and behavioural sciences, in the Western Pacific Region, WHO has developed Communication for Health (C4H): a set of principles and practices to help ensure communication interventions are designed to inform and change attitudes and behaviours in ways that support the achievement of defined public health outcomes.
In the context of the use of behavioural insights, the consultant will support implementation of the “Regional Action Framework on Communication for Health (C4H)” which was developed to support Member States to adopt and scale up C4H to ensure health communication programmes, campaigns and other interventions achieve greater impact and progress towards public health goals.
Additionally, in May 2023 the WHA adopted the “Behavioural sciences for better health” Resolution to support the use of behavioural sciences in the work of WHO, and to provide technical support, normative guidance, capacity building and share knowledge with member states. The consultant will support the implementation of the BI Resolution for greater public health impact.
Timeline
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Start date: 15 February 2024
End date: 31 December 2024
Work to be performed
Under the supervision of the Regional Communications Manager (COM), and in collaboration with relevant colleagues in the Western Pacific Regional Office and Country Offices, the consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:
Output 1:Guide on the use of behavioural insights, including multisource data collection and analysis, in the Western Pacific Region to inform communication and other public health interventions in priority areas.
Deliverable 1.1: Support WHO country offices and Member States in the Western Pacific to establish capacities for the use behavioural insights to inform communication interventions;
Deliverable 1.2: Develop behavioural insights tools to enhance targeted and context-specific communication interventions at regional and country level;
Deliverable 1.3: Guide WHO country offices and Member States in the Western Pacific on the application of behavioural insights in their interventions.
Output 2: Support implementation and measurement of behaviourally informed communication interventions.
Deliverable 2.1: Guide WHO country offices and Member States in the Western Pacific to use the evidence synthesis to inform communication and other public health interventions;
Deliverable 2.2: Guide development of relevant evaluation plans and to
Deliverable 2.3: Analyse and interpret data collected and produce, or contribute to, the C4H programme reports and publications.
Deliverable 2.4: Document and share progress on the behavioural aspects of the C4H programme.
Technical Supervision
The selected consultant will work under the supervision of the Regional Communications Manager
Qualifications, Experience, Skills and knowledge, and Language
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EDUCATION
Essential:
Advanced university degree in behavioural sciences such as psychology, economics, behavioural sciences or social marketing that includes related research methods relevant to the project themes.
Desirable:
A doctoral degree in a related field.
EXPERIENCE
Essential:
7-10 years of relevant experience in designing and implementing research projects in the fields of behavioural sciences, psychology, economics, social marketing or other related fields.
Experience in applied research and in the use of a variety of research methods in public health.
Proven experience in writing protocols and academic papers related to social science research.
Desirable:
Experience working for WHO or another UN agency.
Experience working in low- and middle-income context.
SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential:
Strong project management skills.
Ability to think analytically, communicate effectively, and execute efficiently.
Advanced research and analytical skills as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications in the area of behavioural sciences, risk communication or public health.
Excellent data analysis and management skills.
Intermediate level of statistical analysis skills.
Proficiency in the use of standard office software programmes
Scientific writing skills.
LANGUAGE
ESSENTIAL:
Expert level of English (read, write, and speak).
Competencies:
Communication
Producing results
Technical competence
Teamwork
Overall attitude at work
Location
Onsite for insurance purposes
Travel
Work will be carried out remotely, with potential travel to Manila or other Country Offices within the Region.
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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