National Consultant (Part-time): Pandemic Fund Communications Consultant, WHO Country Office, Malaysia

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Qualifications

Purpose of the Consultancy

The purpose of this consultancy is to offer support to the Ministry of Health and other relevant ministries in Malaysia, for the implementation of risk communication and community engagement activities under the Pandemic Fund project. The consultant will coordinate, implement, and monitor communication activities under the Pandemic Fund portfolio for Malaysia.

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) plays a pivotal role in advancing global health, protecting populations, and responding to public health emergencies. At the heart of its mission is the commitment to strengthening health systems, ensuring they are equipped to prevent, detect, and respond effectively to emerging health threats. By providing technical expertise, strategic guidance, and critical resources, WHO enhances global health security and fosters resilience against future pandemics.
Recognizing the need for sustained critical investment in pandemic preparedness, the Pandemic Fund was established to provide dedicated long-term financing to strengthen prevention, preparedness, and response capacities, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. The fund addresses systemic vulnerabilities exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, aligning closely with WHO’s mandate to reinforce global health infrastructure and enhance emergency response coordination.

On 12 February 2026, the Pandemic Fund Governing Board awarded Malaysia funding to support the implementation of the project Data to Action: Stronger Pandemic Preparedness and Response Systems in the Western Pacific Region.

As one of the 13 approved Implementing Entities, WHO leverages its extensive expertise, operational capacity, and global network to support the effective implementation of Pandemic Fund projects at the country level. Through targeted interventions, WHO ensures that investments translate into tangible improvements in disease surveillance, laboratory capacity, emergency response mechanisms, and workforce development. By working in close collaboration with governments, partners, and stakeholders, WHO continues to drive progress toward a safer, more resilient global health landscape. In this way, the post of Pandemic Fund Coordinator was created.
This is a significant initiative aimed at reinforcing the country's capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to public health emergencies, including pandemics.

Deliverables

Under the overall supervision of the WHO Representative to Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam and Singapore, the incumbent will work to:

Output 1: Enhance public awareness, risk communication and community engagement in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response in Malaysia.

1.1 Support development of the Health Security Literacy Guidelines to serve as a national reference for enhancing population-wide understanding of health emergencies.  The guidelines will be developed in partnership with WHO, relevant ministries (e.g., Ministry of Education, Ministry of Communications), civil society organizations, and local community leaders.
1.2 Support regional adaptation of the guideline for other beneficiary countries, in collaboration with WHO Regional Office, WHO Collaborating Centres (e.g., for health promotion or risk communications and community engagement), and partners such as Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) risk communications and community engagement network, South East Asia Regulatory Network (SEARN), or Asia Pacific risk communications and community engagement Working Group, the United Nations Communications Group in Malaysia.

Output 2: Facilitate multisectoral coordination, communication, and operational planning related to project activities.

2.1 Develop communication/ visibility products related to the projects in line with the reporting guidelines. 
2.2 Coordinate the organization of events, including launches and publications.

Output 3: Support the Ministry of Health to update the Risk Communication Guideline for pandemic preparedness and response.

3.1: Support the Ministry of Health update the all hazard Risk Communication Guideline for Public Health Emergencies.
3.2: Support updating the  Risk Communication and Community Engagement Guideline for Public Health Emergencies.

Output 4: Reports

4.1 Monthly consultancy reports 
4.2 Notes from any calls and meetings attended. 
4.3 Final technical reports with all deliverables

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications

Required: Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Public Health, Political Science, International Relations, or a related field.
Desirable: Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Communication, Health Promotion, Risk Communication, Public Health).

Experience

Required: Minimum 5 years of experience in strategic communications, including, developing risk communication and/or public health communication materials, community engagement and stakeholder coordination and in research, content development, and policy/guideline documentation

Desirable: Experience working within the UN system or with UN/WHO partners. Experience in health emergency preparedness, outbreak communication, or KAP surveys. Familiarity with Malaysia’s health landscape and frameworks.
 

Skills/Knowledge

•     Ability to coordinate multisectoral stakeholder workshops and consultation processes
•     Proficiency in graphic design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva) and video production skills
•     Competency in communication analytics and media monitoring tools
•     Advanced skills in the use of office software packages (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.) and database management.
•     Knowledge of risk communication principles, community engagement and behavioral science approaches
•     Strong problem-solving skills, demonstrated through the ability to identify challenges, gather and analyze complex data, build strategic models, and provide well-founded recommendations to enhance project outcomes.
•     Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively present in meetings, draft comprehensive reports, and create strategic presentations. The officer should engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, and health partners at national, regional, and international levels.
•     Proven ability to work collaboratively in teams, fostering cooperation, developing team members, and promoting a constructive team environment that values teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Languages and level required

Essential: Fluent in written and spoken English and Malay.

Location

The consultant will work remotely with regular physical visits to the WHO Country Office in Malaysia when
necessary.

Travel

Consultant may be required to travel locally to meet with MOH and other stakeholders.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration: MYR 814 per day 
Expected duration of contract: 11 months part-time (2 working days per week, may include weekends)

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 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.
•     The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits workforce regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics. 
The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs. 
Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to  reasonableaccommodation@who.int 
•     An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
•     WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
•     Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. 
•     WHO shall have no responsibility 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.
•     Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
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