Purpose of consultancy

This consultancy will support and enable project management and strategic communication of the Asia Pacific Observatory unit.

Background

The APO is a collaborative partnership of interested governments, international agencies, foundations, and the research community. The APO’s objective is to be a knowledge‐broker or bridge between researchers and policymakers, producing high‐quality evidence to inform health policymaking in the Asia Pacific region.

The APO’s mission is to support and promote evidence‐based health policymaking through comprehensive and rigorous analysis of the dynamics of health systems in Asia and the Pacific by engaging directly with policymakers. Bulk of APO’s impact involves reaching out to policy makers or their advisors about APO work and publications, hence there is a need to have a dedicated communications consultant that can support APO to achieve this. This means that the consultant should ideally have a combination of public health and communication activities and be well established with various partners. Addressing this requires strong and effective communication to ensure that the intent, process, and expected benefits of the policies and interventions are understood by all relevant stakeholders.

Deliverables

The consultant will directly support the APO Director in project management and strategic communications. The consultant will perform the following duties:

Output 1: Support in operationalizing communication aspects of APO 2024‐2027 work plan.
Deliverable 1.1: Using a C4H approach, develop a strategic communication plan to support the implementation of APO 2024‐2030 strategy and 2024‐27 work plan including clear objectives, defined audiences, appropriate activities and products, a robust dissemination plan, and a framework for measurement, evaluation and learning (MEL) drawing on relevant data and including SMART targets and indicators.
Deliverable 1.2: Based on the plan approved by APO Director, Division Director, and Communications unit, develop communication products, adapted from the technical material of the APO, and support their dissemination and MEL. These may include policy briefs, web stories, material for social media, etc.
Deliverable 1.3: Plan and run webinars on specific topics as agreed by the APO Director with external collaborators.
Deliverable 1.4: Support APO in creating content for other new media channels as necessary

Output 2: Provide Project management support to the APO Director.
Deliverable 2.1: Contribute to the drafting of APO publications and check references and the quality of information in the reports drafted by external authors
Deliverable 2.2: Support APO director during APO governance meetings and in consultation with APO director, prepare background discussion papers as needed

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree (bachelor’s) in communications, journalism, international relations, humanities or related field.
Desirable: Specific training on communication skills

Experience Required:

Essential: At least 3 years of experience in strategic communication with international organizations or at an international level, developing implementing and evaluating communication strategies and related products and activities.
Desirable: Working experience with WHO or other UN agencies. Experience in communications related to health or social issues.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

Excellent planning and organizational skills

Excellent communications skills both written and oral, and effective presentation skills

Capacity to work in a multidisciplinary team and communicate effectively with different target audiences

Proficiency with MS Office suite

Language requirements:

Expert knowledge of English (Read ‐ Write ‐ Speak)

Location:

Off-site: Home-based

Travel

The consultant is not expected to travel.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: Payband level A – USD 300 (daily)
Duration: 165 days over 11 months period, December 2024 to November 2025

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
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• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
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Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements