Consultant - Advocacy, communications, rehabilitation

Purpose of consultancy

To provide technical expertise to the World Rehabilitation Alliance and its workstreams on targeted advocacy approaches for integrating rehabilitation into health systems; and to contribute to Secretariat coordination and processes of the World Rehabilitation Alliance.

Background

Advocacy for rehabilitation is crucial in the context of the World Health Assembly Resolution 76.6 “Strengthening Rehabilitation in Health Systems”. Despite an estimated 2.4 billion people in need of rehabilitation, rehabilitation continues to be underprioritized and underfunded in many countries. The landmark WHA 76.6 resolution recognizes rehabilitation as a core global public health priority, and outlines priority actions to be taken by Member States, civil society and WHO Secretariat to strengthen health systems so that quality, affordable and timely rehabilitation services are made available to those who need them. Successful implementation of the resolution, however, requires amplified advocacy efforts to mobilize political will and drive demand.

The World Rehabilitation Alliance (WRA) is a WHO-hosted global network established to support implementation of Rehabilitation 2030 initiative and WHA 76.6 resolution through advocacy activities. WRA seeks to influence policy and raise global awareness on rehabilitation through evidence-informed advocacy activities, and to strengthen networking and knowledge sharing within the rehabilitation sector. Officially launched in July 2023, WRA currently comprises 10 Steering Committee members and 82 member organizations. The network includes Member States and State bodies, intergovernmental organizations, nongovernmental organizations, private sector, philanthropic foundations and academic institutions. Each member organization participates in one or more of the 5 WRA workstreams: primary care, emergencies, workforce, research and external relations.

The consultant will contribute to driving the work of WRA forward in its first operational year and will provide advocacy expertise and guidance to WRA Secretariat, Steering Committee and workstream members.

Deliverables

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

• First university degree in global health policy, advocacy, communications, international relations, or any related field.

Desirable:

• Advanced university degree in a related health field.

Experience:

Essential:

• Over 5 years of experience in developing, implementing and managing advocacy campaigns and/or projects in a global health context, including communication strategies.
• Demonstrated experience of leading communications related to advocacy and policy work and coordinating complex advocacy resource development.
• Experience working with high-level policymakers and international institutions, as well as membership organizations or Alliances.

Desirable:

• Previous experience working with WHO or another multilateral organization.

Skills:

• Demonstrated success in achieving policy change through advocacy.
• Understanding or knowledge of the rehabilitation sector.
• Excellent organizational and coordination skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent strategic thinking, innovation and creative problem-solving skills.
• Excellent knowledge and expertise in the area of health systems and global health processes, such as the World Health Assembly.
• Strong networking skills.
• Strong knowledge of social media and other advocacy dissemination channels.
• Basic knowledge and skills in graphic design and development of communication materials (e.g. infographics, videos, visuals and other assets for social media and the web).

Languages required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Intermediate knowledge of another UN official language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian).

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