Vacancy notice
Communications/ Research Consultant
The WHO Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR) seeks an experienced
communications and research specialist. The consultant will support the UPTAKE Project research
team in the finalisation of the formative phase and development and implementation of the
intervention phase. The consultant will report to the UPTAKE Project responsible officer.
The project is a multi-country complex-designed intervention using community and healthcare
provider participation, which will take place in Kenya, South African and Zambia. The project aims to
increase met needs for contraception and family planning through a human rights framework. The
formative phase findings, including qualitative research, mapping of services and facilities and legal
and family planning policies and scoping reviews, are currently being finalised and analysed. These
findings will inform the intervention package and the finalisation of the intervention phase protocol
that will be tested during the implementation phase.
The finalisation of the formative phase of the Project will consist of refining the approach or the
methodology through which healthcare providers and community members will be engaged and the
intervention package. The intervention protocol will be developed, finalised and submitted to
WHO’s Research Project Review Panel (RP2) and Ethics Review Committee (ERC). The intervention
phase of the Project will be conducted over three years.
The consultant will assist the country teams in conducting the research activities, lead the
communications activities, including training, and provide support in the development of the
intervention phase protocol. The candidate will have experience and expertise in both
implementation or operations research and communications in public health, particularly sexual and
reproductive health. The position requires knowledge of theory of change and understanding of
community participation. The consultant would need to have excellent communications skills both
written and oral.
Terms of Reference
Background
The Department of Reproductive Health and Research (RHR) works to enable people to protect their
own health as it relates to sexuality and reproduction and to receive quality health care in matters
related to sexual and reproductive health. To achieve this, the Department advocates and promotes
sound public health strategies, sets norms and standards, engages in technical cooperation activities,
and supports research. RHR’s overall strategic framework is provided by the WHO Global
Reproductive Health Strategy approved by the 57th World Health Assembly in 2004. More
information about RHR can be found at http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth
RHR includes the UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research,
Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP). HRP is the main instrument
within the United Nations system for promoting, conducting, evaluating and coordinating
interdisciplinary research on sexual and reproductive health, for collaborating with countries in
enhancing national capacities to conduct this research, for promoting and facilitating the use of
research results in policy-making and planning for sexual and reproductive health care; and for the
setting of standards and guidelines, including technical and ethical guidelines, in the field of sexual
and reproductive health research. More information about HRP can be found at
http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/about_us/hrp/en/
Summary of duties:
1. Assist in and conduct research activities of the project, including development and
refinement of the project methodology, use of Theory of Change as a framework for
collaboration, analysis of data from the formative phase activities.
2. Undertake site visits when necessary to meet with PIs and verify and follow-up that the
project is implemented correctly and coherently across three sites and take appropriate
action in collaboration with the WHO responsible officer to address issues as they arise.
3. Provide training for Project team on use of Theory of Change and communications.
4. Develop and test communications materials for the Project.
5. Coordinate activities across three country sites to draft and finalise the intervention
protocol.
6. Overview and daily management of internal Project communications using the WHO
Sharepoint platform.
Essential knowledge and skills
1. Fluency in English and French is required. Knowledge of additional UN languages is an
advantage.
2. A demonstrated ability to understand complex scientific matters related to sexual and
reproductive health and rights, including community participation and quality of care
3. Exceptional analytical skills
4. Previous experience providing trainings in media and communications.
5. Working knowledge of Sharepoint or equivalent online collaborative tools essential.
6. Strong planning and organizational skills, demonstrated ability to manage converging
priorities and deliver high quality products under tight deadlines
7. Ability to establish and maintain good working relations with colleagues, with senior WHO
staff and with the international constituency with which the project relates.
8. Tact and sensitivity in dealing with sensitive topics.
Essential educational qualifications
Post graduate degree in communications research or media-related degree; and post graduate
degree in social sciences or anthropology.
Essential relevant experience:
At least 5 years experience combining:
1. Media and communications
2. Project management or research, including protocol writing, qualitative research
methodologies and review methodologies.
3. Work in sexual and reproductive health and rights
Desirable experience
1. Experience and knowledge of WHO ethics and research review processes
2. Knowledge of Theory of Change framework
Other skills
Skills required to use e-mail, PowerPoint, Excel, word processing software independently and
efficiently. Working knowledge of design software desirable.
Applications
To apply, please send a letter and a recently updated curriculum vitae to following email [email protected]
Applications will be accepted until 23 January 2016.