National Consultant: Strategic Communications, WHO Country Office Cambodia

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2604296
• Contractual arrangement: External consultant
• Contract duration: 6 months
• Organization: WP_KHM Cambodia
• Schedule: Full-time
• Closing date: Oct 25, 2026, 12:59:00 AM

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Purpose of the Consultancy

The consultant will support the WHO Country Office to strengthen donor visibility, health communications, and knowledge management, as well as enhance the CO’s capacity for translation and content adaptation.

Background

Strategic communication for public health is a high priority in the Western Pacific, as recognized in the regional vision, Weaving Health for Families, Communities and Societies in the Western Pacific Region (2025-2029): Working together to improve health, well-being, and save lives. The vision’s “weaving” analogy symbolizes collaboration between WHO, governments, and partners to improve health and well-being in the Region. It consists of five vertical strands of action led by governments, and three horizontal strands of action driven by WHO. The inclusion of communications as one of the three horizontal strands highlights the critical role communication plays in achieving key health outcomes, from expanding access to health services, increasing vaccination rates, reducing stigma around mental health, and addressing the risk factors leading to communicable diseases, among others. Different types of communication mechanisms, such as risk communications, community engagement, community protection, and social and behaviour change are key pillars in the Communication for Health (C4H) approach that support the strengthening of these capacities.

In Cambodia, the Cambodia-WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2024-2028 aligns with this regional vision by emphasizing integrated, sustainable, and multi-sectoral solutions to advance universal health coverage and strengthen health systems. Strategic communication serves as a vital enabler across all three strategic priorities: advancing quality integrated systems reoriented toward primary health care; improving the health of individuals, families, and communities through action within and beyond the health sector; and strengthening health security systems to increase public health emergency preparedness, response, and resilience. Effective communication ensures that health interventions reach diverse stakeholders, mobilizes communities for health action, enhances visibility of WHO’s partnerships and technical support, and builds public trust in health systems.

Deliverables

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Health Advisor, the Strategic Communications Consultant will work in a hybrid modality, both remotely and in the WHO Cambodia office, with the following outputs and deliverables:

Output/s

Output 1:  Develop and implement communications and partner visibility plans for 2026-2027

Deliverable 1.1: Support the development of overall communication plans, including evergreen content, health information, global campaigns, partner visibility and other relevant events.

Deliverable 1.2: Collaborate with technical teams to identify opportunities and develop partner visibility plans for 2026–2027 and support the development of related content.

Deliverable 1.3: Ensure opportunities to raise partner visibility during technical work - workshops, events, seminars, guidelines, protocols, etc. - are taken up and implemented according to partner and WHO branding guidelines.

Output 2: Implement WHO corporate communications to inform the public about global health issues, maintain and enhance WHO Cambodia’s reputation of credibility and reliability, and support policy initiatives and resource mobilization efforts

Deliverable 2.1: Proactively identify opportunities for visibility and lead the development, design, and delivery of content (web stories, social posts, media release, infographics, etc.).

Deliverable 2.2: Conduct interviews, draft, and publish web stories on WHO’s work across Cambodia. Travel within Cambodia may be required.

Deliverable 2.3: Adapt WHO global campaigns to the local context and work with technical teams to organize and support campaign-related events in coordination with the Ministry of Health.

Deliverable 2.4: Manage the WHO Cambodia website, including uploading and publishing health information, web stories, media releases and speeches to ensure all content is accurate and up to date.

Deliverable 2.5: Compile and publish bi-weekly media monitoring updates to stay updated on emerging health trends and issues in Cambodia.

Deliverable 2.6: Maintain and regularly update media contact lists; manage media inquiries in coordination with relevant technical teams; and monitor media coverage and mentions across relevant platforms.

Deliverable 2.7: Actively participate in the UN Communications Group and ensure joint visibility opportunities are taken up and implemented according to WHO Cambodia branding guidelines.

Deliverable 2.8: Ensure all external communications products meeting WHO Cambodia branding guidelines before they are disseminated or sent for country-level approvals.

Output 3: Produce multimedia content aligned with WHO branding and communication standards across platforms.

Deliverable 3.1: Support the creation of multimedia content (photos, videos and graphics) in line with WHO branding and communication standards across platforms.

Deliverable 3.2: Work closely with WHO Cambodia Country Office and the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office to develop social media content packages, including basic graphic design and video editing using Canva.

Deliverable 3.3: Photograph and video-record field activities and subjects as needed, ensuring all required consent forms are obtained and archived in compliance with WHO guidelines.

Deliverable 3.4: Maintain the WHO Multimedia Library by uploading materials, adding captions and ensuring that consent forms are properly linked and stored.

Deliverable 3.5: Ensure that sub-contractors – photographers, videographers, agencies, graphic designers etc. – are adequately briefed when required to deliver on content and products for the country office.

Other Deliverables:  Monthly report and end of mission report.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Education

Essential: University degree in communications, humanities, journalism, media, public relations, or related fields.

Desirable: Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, humanitarian studies, or a related field is desirable.

Work Experience

Required: Minimum 5 years of experience in communications, marketing, media or journalism in Cambodia is required.

Desirable: Experience in the NGO, Aid, UN, or international development field is desirable. Experience working with WHO and or other UN agencies is an asset. Experience in health communications is desirable. Previous experience managing photographers, videographers, graphic designers etc.

Skills / Technical skills and knowledge:

• Exceptional written and storytelling experience, including how to write for various audiences and develop different styles of tone and voice.
• Experience with producing content for digital channels and print products.
• Experience with impact storytelling and skilfully combining facts/data and human-interest stories.
• A moderate understanding of engagement analytics and how data and insights can inform future content.
• Demonstrated ability to use database systems, marketing and website tools.

Language requirements:

Written and spoken fluency in English is essential.

 

Location

The consultant will work on-site in the WHO Cambodia Office in Phnom Penh, Cambodia or hybrid basis upon agreement with their supervisor.

Travel

The Consultant is expected to travel only when required within Cambodia will be covered according to WHO rules.

 

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration: USD 2,500 per month
Expected duration of contract: 6 months full-time

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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