JOB DESCRIPTION

Purpose of consultancy

This consultancy will support the WHO Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) with strategic communications and advocacy for the updated Healthy Islands vision 2050 in relation to Pacific Health Ministers Meetings.

Background

The Pacific health ministers endorsed the Healthy Islands Vision 2050 on 25 October 2025 at the special event of Pacific Health Ministers on Yanuca Island, Fiji. To build on the momentum of this new vision, there is now a body of work required for its successful operationalization. This includes strategic communications to support upcoming Pacific health governance meetings such as an agenda paper on monitoring and implementing the new vision to be considered at the 17th Pacific Heads of Health Meeting (PHOH) in 2026 – an annual meeting that supports strategy and planning ahead of the biennial Pacific Health Ministers Meetings (PHMM).
Following the PHOH in 2026, further support will be required in the lead up to the proceeding PHMM. PHOH and PHMM are part of the Pacific health governance structure established for collective action and commitment towards a healthier Pacific, in line with the Healthy Islands Vision 2050, Pacific Islands WHO Multi-country Cooperation Strategy 2024-2029 (MCCS) and the WHO’s Regional vision: Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025−2029).
Moreover, within WHO’s Regional vision, “Effective communication for public health” is one of the three core strands for WHO’s support to Member States. In response, WHO is scaling up the Communications for Health (C4H) approach, which can be harnessed to increase awareness on the PHMM agenda topics among the public and policymakers for urgent action.
In contributing to the MCCS and WHO’s Regional vision, this consultancy supports work towards the General Programme of Work (GPW14), the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, as well as the newly endorsed Healthy Islands vision 2050.

Deliverables

Output 1: Development and implementation of strategic communications in the lead up to the 17th Pacific Heads of Health Meeting and the 16th Pacific Health Ministers Meeting by 30 June 2026:
Deliverable 1.1: Development of phased strategic communications plan for these two key Pacific governance meetings by 28 February 2026.
Deliverable 1.2: Develop creative / communications products in line with the communications plan by 31 March 2026.
Deliverable 1.3: Distribute communications to a range of channels in line with the communications plan by 15 June 2026.
Deliverable 1.4: Draft and review key messages, agenda papers, presentations, remarks, briefing notes, and other communications as required by 31 May 2026.
Deliverable 1.5: Develop and implement the measurement, evaluation and learning plan for the suite of corporate communications by 30 June 2026.

Output 2: Support strategic communications and advocacy for the Healthy Islands vision 2050 by 30 June 2026:
Deliverable 2.1: Develop a phased strategic communications plan for promoting the Healthy Islands vision 2050 by 15 January 2026.
Deliverable 2.2: Develop creative / communications products in line with the communications plan to build awareness and promote action on the Healthy Islands vision 2050 by 31 May 2026.
Deliverable 2.3: Coordinate and implement photography and videography storytelling projects 30 June 2026.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Essential: Relevant first university degree in communications, journalism, media, marketing, health promotion, international relations or related fields from a recognized university.
Desirable: A master’s degree in a relevant discipline

Experience

Essential: Minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience at a national and international level in communications, media, social media, journalism, public relations, health promotion or related fields. Demonstrated experience with strategic communications designed to lead to policy or behaviour change.
Desirable: Previous experience supporting international meetings and/or events is desirable, as is previous experience working with WHO and/or in Pacific Island countries.

Skills/Knowledge

Essential: Excellent writing, project management, proficiency in standard MS Office software applications.
Desirable: Photography and videography, basic editing skills for videos/reels and in graphic design e.g. using Canva

Languages

Essential: Expert knowledge of English

Location

Off site: Home-based

Travel

The consultant may be expected to travel for photography and videography projects.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded)

1. Remuneration: Payband level B (USD7,000 – USD9980)

Expected duration of contract:

Full-time, 6 months (1 January – 30 June 2026)

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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