Mission and objectives

The World Health Organization (WHO) is the lead authority for global public health within the United Nations system. In China, a rapidly evolving and populous middle-income nation, WHO serves as a strategic technical partner to the government. Rather than just providing traditional aid, the WHO China Representative Office delivers high-level international expertise and evidence-based policy advice to help the country achieve more equitable health outcomes. Guided by the China-WHO Country Cooperation Strategy, the office works to strengthen the national healthcare system so that essential services reach everyone—from urban centers to the most remote rural areas. By aligning national priorities with global health standards and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), WHO China plays a pivotal role in shaping policies that protect the health of 1.4 billion people, ensuring that "Health for All" becomes a reality in one of the world's most dynamic contexts.

Context

This UNV assignment is integrated into the WHO China Communications Team. The core objective is to translate complex technical guidance into impactful, people-cantered narratives that communicate WHO’s work in China, and contribute to policy support and drive behaviour change. Working with a diverse range of stakeholders—including the National Health Commission, media outlets, and digital influencers—the volunteer will help implement a multichannel communication strategy. This involves managing high-visibility social media platforms, monitoring public perception, and developing feature stories that showcase the impact of WHO and China’s work on the ground and in the region. Whether managing risk communications during a public health emergency or campaigning for policy advocacy and healthy lifestyles, the volunteer will ensure that WHO’s evidence-based advice is accessible, engaging, and authoritative for the Chinese public.

Task Description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the WHO Representative to China or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Associate Volunteer will: 1) Support the implementation of communication strategies and plans to accelerate the achievement of public health outcomes through the implementation of the Communications for Health framework. 2) Support the implementation of communication strategies and plans to raise awareness of the programmes and achievements of WHO at the country level, in coordination with the regional and/or headquarters communication focal points. 3) Support managing WHO social media platforms in China. 4) Support regular media monitoring, tracking audience/target group perceptions of the organization and propose risk mitigation communications. 5) Support the design and implementation of promotional activities and campaigns to position WHO as a leader within the public-health space. 6) Support the implementation of the WHO corporate (global and regional) communication strategy. 7) Identify marketable subjects/success stories, and develop communications and advocacy products including for partnership’s initiatives 8) Support optimal outreach and dissemination to target audiences on suitable media channels and platforms, including social media. 9) Support media events, campaigns and media technical briefings organization, coordinating between media and WHO experts, as required. 10) Support specialized emergency or multi hazard risk communications, social mobilization, and advocacy plans, during public health crises, emergencies and outbreaks. 11) Collaborate with national stakeholders, development and other strategic partners and United Nations Information Officers, to encourage the production and dissemination of information on national health strategies. 12) Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: · 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); · Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; · Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. · Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; · Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; · 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 values

· 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 judgement; 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; · 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 organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; · 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; · 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. · 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; · 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; · 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; · Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards WHO’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

Living conditions and remarks

The duty station for this position is Beijing. You can check full entitlements at the duty station at https://app.unv.org/calculator. The complete UN Volunteer Conditions of Service is available at https://explore.unv.org/cos.” As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the malicious insurance plan.