..
Qualifications
Area of expertiseย
National Consultant ( NOA) : To support in the development and execution of a strategic communication planย
ย Purpose of consultancy
The purpose of this consultancy is to enhance the visibility and impact of WHO Iraqโs initiatives by supporting the development and execution of a strategic communication plan. The consultant will support MMPTF-funded projects and broader WHO Iraq operations through the creation of compelling, multilingual content; effective stakeholder and media engagement; and management of digital platforms. This role aims to ensure alignment with WHO communication standards and donor visibility requirements, contributing to greater public awareness and support for health-related Sustainable Development Goals in Iraq.
ย Background ย
The World Health Organization (WHO) in Iraq, through its Universal Health Coverage (UHC)/Health Systems & Life Course program, is working to strengthen the countryโs health system and improve access to essential medicines and services. As part of its commitment to advancing health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly through MMPTF-funded projects, WHO Iraq requires strategic communication support to increase public awareness, enhance visibility of its initiatives, and engage key stakeholders effectively. In this context, a dedicated communication specialist is needed to lead content creation, manage media relations, and support advocacy efforts in alignment with WHO standards and donor expectations.
Organizational context
The Communication national consultant will support in the development and implementation of a comprehensive communications strategy for WHO Iraqโs. This includes content creation, media and stakeholder engagement, disseminate visibility materials, and maintain public awareness initiatives in alignment with WHO standards and donor expectations.
Assigned Duties:
1- ย Strategic Communications and Visibility
โข ย ย ย ย Develop and implement a communications strategy tailored to MMPTF funded projects.
โข ย ย ย ย Ensure all communication products align with WHO branding and donor visibility requirements.
โข ย ย ย ย Produce and disseminate visibility materials such as press releases, human interest stories, success stories, and reports.
โข ย ย ย ย Maintain and manage a content calendar to ensure timely delivery and publication.
โข ย ย ย ย Develop newsletter articles for the organization's quarterly newsletter and briefs, and draft press releases, including taking photographs for reports,ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย social media, and other advocacy platforms.
โข ย ย ย ย Maintain and update files and archives for communication materials, including photographs, videos, press releases, and publications.
โข ย ย ย ย Assist in producing the weekly Social Media Plan, including supporting sections in gathering content for social media.
โข ย ย ย ย Produce and edit fact sheets, Q&As for media, and background materials for key advocacy initiatives and MMPTF campaign.
โข ย ย ย ย Help plan and implement special events, online webinars, and meetings, including scheduling and taking minutes.
โข ย ย ย ย Submit a monthly report summarizing activities and outputs delivered.
โข ย ย ย ย Carry out any other tasks as assigned by the supervisor.
2- ย Content Development and Social Media
โข ย ย ย ย Create multilingual awareness messages for varied audiences across Iraq.
โข ย ย ย ย Develop digital content including infographics, video scripts, and social media posts for different MMPTF.
โข ย ย ย ย Coordinate with creative vendors (designers, videographers) to ensure quality outputs.
โข ย ย ย ย Manage WHO Iraqโs social media presence with regular, high-engagement content.
โข ย ย ย ย Support the Representative in meetings by capturing photographs and developing content for social media platforms.
โข ย ย ย ย Monitor Country Office websites and social media platforms to gather content and evidence supporting key campaigns and advocacy.
โข ย ย ย ย Support the production of digital/social media content for the office, including campaigns and advocacy.
โข ย ย ย ย Scan daily media reports (online and print) and draft a daily media monitoring report for internal distribution.
3- ย Media and Stakeholder Engagement
โข ย ย ย ย Build and maintain relationships with national and international media.
โข ย ย ย ย Organize press briefings, facilitate media coverage, and coordinate interviews.
โข ย ย ย ย Draft media advisories, talking points, and Q&As for WHO representatives.
โข ย ย ย ย Monitor and report on media visibility of WHO Iraq.
4- ย Events and Campaigns
โข ย ย ย ย Support the planning and communications coverage of events, community activities, and campaigns.
โข ย ย ย ย Provide live updates, photography, and post-event summaries.
โข ย ย ย ย Ensure high-quality documentation (visual and written) of all outreach activities.
โข ย ย ย ย Provide logistical and programme support for all advocacy initiatives and events, including venue arrangements, preparation of information kits, guest invitations, attendance lists, and event documentation through photography.
5- ย Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting
โข ย ย ย ย Submit regular reports summarizing reach, outputs, and lessons learned.
โข ย ย ย ย Maintain a multimedia repository and contribute to an annual impact assessment.
โข ย ย ย ย Monitor communication metrics (social engagement, media coverage, etc.).
Education Qualifications, Skills, and Experience
Education Qualifications
Essential: First university degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, International Relations.
Experience
Essential: Minimum of 1 year of relevant experience in the field of communication strategy development and digital content management.
Desirable: Previous work with UN agencies, INGOs, or international donors is an advantage.
Skills:
โข ย ย ย ย Excellent verbal and written communication skills in both English and Arabic.
โข ย ย ย ย Proven ability to create compelling, human-centered content.
โข ย ย ย ย Proficiency in digital tools (Adobe Suite, Canva, social media management platforms).
โข ย ย ย ย Strong interpersonal, coordination, and organizational skills.
โข ย ย ย ย The ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines in a multicultural environment.
ย Language Skills
Fluency in both English and Arabic language is required.
ย Locationย
Baghdad, Iraq
ย WHO Competencies
Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:ย https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=
ย Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:
a)ย ย ย ย ย Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.
b)ย ย ย ย ย All required details regarding your qualifications, education and training are provided.
c)ย ย ย ย ย Your experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.
ย 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 an 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 is committed to putting 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.