Mission and objectivesThe World Health Organization (WHO) was established on 7 April 1948 as the directing and coordinating authority in global public health within the United Nations system. Working at three levels in the Organization (global, regional and country), more than 7000 WHO staff worldwide collaborate with the governments of 194 Member States and other partners to achieve the WHO founding vision of the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all people. The WHO Western Pacific Region is home to more than one quarter of the worldโs population, stretching over more than one third of the distance around the globe. In all, more than 600 WHO staff work in 15 country offices and the Regional Office in Manila, Philippines, to support Member States in achieving better health outcomes for the Regionโs nearly 1.9 billion people in 37 countries and areas. WHO presence in Viet Nam Viet Nam has been a WHO Member State since 17 May 1950. WHO was one of the first United Nations agencies to support the Vietnamese health sector directly since the end of the war and reunification of the country. WHO established a country office in Hanoi in 1977 and a sub-office in Ho Chi Minh City in 2003. More than 50 WHO staff in the country office have played a central role in supporting the people and the Government of Viet Nam to improve health. The mission of WHO in Viet Nam is to support the Government to achieve universal health coverage with all people having access to high-quality health services, within the context of the countryโs needs and challenges in transitioning to middle-income status. Priorities of the United Nations in Viet Nam The Government of Viet Nam and the United Nations agencies, including WHO, adopted the Delivering as One principle and committed to the One United Nations initiative in Viet Nam in 2006. In July 2017, they jointly launched the One Strategic Plan 2017โ2021, which identified focus areas and outcomes for the United Nations interventions in Viet Nam.
ContextViet Nam has been a WHO Member State since 17 May 1950. WHO was one of the first United Nations agencies to support the Vietnamese health sector directly since the end of the war and reunification of the country. WHO established a country office in Hanoi in 1977. More than 50 WHO staff in the country office have played a central role in supporting the people and the Government of Viet Nam to improve health. Communications for Health (C4H) is at the heart of WHOโs work in the country. WHO Viet Nam is supporting the Ministry of Health (MOH) and working with a range of international and domestic partners on various activities. WHOโs support covers risk communication for communicable diseases and health emergencies, noncommunicable diseases, and universal health coverage with focus on primary health care, among others. The plan also guides the implementation of communication activities for the Healthy Viet Nam Programme, the nationwide health promotion programme approved by the Prime Minister to improve the health of Vietnamese people by promoting positive health behaviours โ healthy diet, physical activities, no tobacco smoking, no harmful use of alcohol, among others. WHO Viet Nam is leveraging Communication for Health (C4H) in driving towards positive health behaviours and derives techniques from various fields such as behavioural science, social and behaviour change communication, risk communication, among others, in designing strategies to achieve positive health outcomes. WHO Viet Nam is also in the process of introducing C4H principles and practices to MOH counterparts and other partners. This UNV assignment is part of WHO Viet Namโs strengthening of strategic communication by providing support to the officeโs C4H Team.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of the C4H Technical Officer, working closely with other technical teams, and guided by C4H principles, the Junior Communication Officer will undertake the following tasks: Task 1: Develop and implement social media communications and advocacy campaigns on various health issues and activities, guided by clear public health objectives. This will include: โข Support for developing and implementing the WHO Viet Nam C4H Social Media Plan, in alignment with the WHO Viet Nam C4H Strategy โข Developing and maintaining daily and weekly social media activities, on current WHO Viet Nam online platforms, including Facebook, X, YouTube and office website. With possible expansion to other platforms (such as LinkedIn, Instagram and Zalo). โข Creating, monitoring and updating the social media calendar, in alignment with broader C4H activity calendar โข Developing creative and engaging online content, focused on supporting the achievement of key health objectives, including short videos, reels, presentations, infographics and animations. โข Analytics tracking and reporting, with a focus on monitoring, evaluating and learning (MEL). Task 2: Provide communications support to office technical teams in the gathering of engaging content from field trips and other external activities, that can be used for social media, website stories and short videos. โข This will include: travelling to key events, activities and project sites across Viet Nam โข Capturing key moments through quality photography and videography, including the interviewing of key stakeholders Task 3: Actively provide communications support to key partnership activities, events and campaigns, including through partner and external stakeholder liaison and engagement. Task 4: Perform other duties as requested/required by the WHO Viet Nam office and communications team, including but not limited to translation work, filming and editing, . Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to: โข Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); โข Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; โข Reflect on the type and quality of voluntary action that they are undertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities; โข Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; โข Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; โข Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering, or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.
Competencies and valuesโข Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to WHO; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to WHO procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgment; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; โข Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and WHO in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organizationโs interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; โข Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender, religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations; ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to colleagues; โข Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. โข Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; โข Communication: proven interpersonal skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and empathize with staff (including national staff), military personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and knowledge to a wide range of different target groups; โข Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; โข Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards WHOโs mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.
Living conditions and remarksThe incumbent will live in Ha Noi, which has most of the economic and social amenities at a reasonable cost. Depending on living arrangements, housing can be expensive. Security is good. Ha Noi has a humid, tropical climate and monsoons. Summers, between May and September, are very hot with plenty of rain, while winters, from November to March, are cold and relatively dry. Living conditions in Hanoi are relatively good by developing country standards. Viet Nam is a middle income country which has witnessed rapid economic growth with impressive results in poverty reduction over the past twenty five years. The country has deepened its integration into global and regional institutions such as the WTO, the UN institutions and ASEAN. Viet Nam was recently ranked as one of the more secure and stable places to live and do business by outside research groups. In line with further improvements in the availability of goods and services, health facilities, and housing, the level of hardship in the duty station has recently been upgraded from C to B. Security is also reasonably good relative to other developing country large cities. Entitlements of National UN Volunteer include Entry Lump Sum Allowance (USD400), Monthly Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) for the National UN Youth Volunteer based in Hanoi, Viet Nam, at about USD710(*) paid in local currency equivalent; Insurance Coverage (Comprehensive health, life, and malicious acts insurance); Annual Leave of 2.5 days per month; Access to UNVโs learning and career development resources; and Exit Lump Sum Allowance (1-month VLA/12 months) payable upon successful completion of the assignment. For further information on the full entitlements, please refer to the Unified Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers (COS) at app.unv.org/explore *Calculators - UVP UNV VLA will be specified when the Offer of UN Volunteer assignment is issued.