Noncommunicable Diseases & Mental Health Policy Communication Expert

Host entity: WHO

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Public health, immunisation, Project management, programme development, strategy

Application deadline: 04/09/2026

Mission and objectives

WHO, as the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations system, adheres to the UN values of integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity. The values of the WHO workforce furthermore reflect the principles of human rights, universality and equity established in WHO’s Constitution as well as the ethical standards of the Organization.

These values are inspired by the WHO vision of a world in which all peoples attain the highest possible level of health, and our mission to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable, with measurable impact for people at country level. We are individually and collectively committed to put these values into practice.

Assignment context

Bangladesh has strengthened its commitment to prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health through national policies, strategies and multisectoral initiatives, including the Joint Declaration on NCD Prevention, endorsed by 35 Ministries and Divisions. The operationalization of these commitments requires sustained multisectoral coordination, implementation monitoring, technical support to government counterparts and systematic documentation of progress, challenges, innovations and lessons learned.

WHO Bangladesh is also supporting the Government of Bangladesh in strengthening NCD prevention and control and integrating NCD and mental health considerations into health-system strengthening, emergency preparedness and response, primary health care, health information systems, essential medicines and other programme areas.

Bangladesh has developed and implemented a number of important NCD-related initiatives and innovations, including work on NCDs in emergencies and in Cox's Bazar, continuity of NCD medicines, NCD information systems, multisectoral action, setting-based approaches, community engagement and healthy cities, food environment policies such as front-of-pack labelling (FOPL), trans fatty acid control, salt reduction strategies and measures addressing sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs).

However, many of these experiences, results and lessons are not yet systematically documented and converted into accessible knowledge products for different audiences. Valuable programme experiences may remain within individual projects, technical teams or institutions and may not be sufficiently captured for policy advocacy, resource mobilization, learning, replication or public communication.

There is therefore a need for dedicated capacity to identify promising experiences and evidence, collect information from government and programme stakeholders, conduct interviews and field-based documentation, analyse programme results and convert these into high-quality, evidence-informed and audience-specific knowledge products.

The National UN Volunteer will support the WHO NCD and related technical teams to strengthen this function by documenting Bangladesh's NCD experiences and translating programme evidence into products that can be used by policy-makers, government counterparts, development partners, donors, technical audiences and the general public.

The National UN Volunteer will support the WHO Bangladesh NCD and Mental Health team in documenting and communicating Bangladesh’s experiences, results, and innovations in NCD and mental health prevention and control. The UNV will synthesize evidence and stakeholder perspectives into knowledge products such as case studies, policy briefs, success stories, and evidence summaries.

The assignment will focus on capturing implementation experiences, lessons learned, challenges, and scalable good practices, and translating them into accessible, evidence-based products for policymakers, partners, donors, and the public.

The UNV will work closely with NCD and Mental Health technical officers, other WHO teams, government counterparts and the WHO Communications team. The assignment will combine technical documentation, evidence synthesis, field-based documentation and storytelling, policy communication and knowledge management, with all substantive technical content subject to appropriate review and validation by the responsible WHO technical teams.

Task description

The National UN Volunteer will undertake the following key responsibilities:

1. Support strategic documentation of NCD and mental health programmes and policy experiences

• Identify and prioritize NCD and mental health policies, programmes, interventions, innovations, achievements, challenges and lessons learned for documentation, in consultation with the WHO NCD and Mental Health team.

• Maintain a prioritized documentation plan covering priority topics, audiences, appropriate knowledge products, evidence requirements and timelines.

• Document selected WHO-supported and government-led experiences with potential for learning, replication, scale-up or wider dissemination in Bangladesh and, where appropriate, through WHO regional and global platforms.

• Priority areas may include NCDs and mental health in emergencies, PHC and health-system strengthening, essential medicines and supplies, digital health and information systems, multisectoral action and the NCD Joint Declaration/MSAP, healthy settings, community engagement, healthier food environments, FOPL, salt/sodium reduction, SSB policies, trans-fat control, healthy ageing and other priorities identified by WHO Bangladesh.

2. Develop evidence-informed knowledge and communication products

• Develop and support production of case studies, human-interest stories, policy and technical briefs, programme profiles, success stories, evidence summaries and communication materials, according to the intended audience and purpose.

• Translate programme evidence and implementation experience into concise policy, advocacy and donor messages, briefing materials and key messages for policy dialogue and communication.

• Work with WHO technical and Communications teams to ensure products are accurate, evidence-informed, audience-appropriate and consistent with WHO guidance and communication standards.

3. Generate and synthesisz evidence for documentation

• Support selected field visits, programme reviews, consultations and conduct structured interviews with government officials, health workers, programme managers, communities, partners and other relevant stakeholders.

• Collect, verify and synthesize quantitative and qualitative evidence, including programme data, policy documents, monitoring information and stakeholder perspectives.

• Document implementation processes, results, challenges, innovations and lessons learned, including human and community perspectives where appropriate.

4. Support quality assurance, knowledge management and dissemination

• Coordinate technical review and validation of knowledge products with relevant WHO technical officers and, where appropriate, government and subject-matter experts.

• Maintain an organized repository and tracking system for evidence, products under development, review and clearance status, approved products and dissemination.

• Ensure appropriate consent, confidentiality, safeguarding, attribution and privacy in the use of interviews, photographs and personal stories.
• Support dissemination of approved knowledge products within WHO.

Key Deliverables
• Prioritized NCD and mental health documentation plan and portfolio, covering selected WHO-supported and government-led policies, programmes and implementation experiences.
• Evidence-informed knowledge products, including selected case studies, human-interest stories, policy/technical briefs, programme profiles, evidence summaries and communication materials, as agreed with the WHO team.
• Documented evidence and learning, including verified quantitative and qualitative evidence, stakeholder perspectives, implementation results, challenges, innovations and lessons learned from selected programmes and field activities.
• Quality-assured knowledge management and dissemination system, including an updated repository and product tracker, documented technical review/clearance, and dissemination of approved products in accordance with WHO standards and ethical requirements.

Skills and experience

At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in public health, health communication, programme documentation, knowledge management, evidence synthesis, policy communication, journalism, or related fields.

Experience in documenting public health programmes, policies, and implementation experiences, and developing knowledge products for policymakers, development partners, and donors is highly desirable.

Required:
• Demonstrated experience in public health, NCD prevention and control, health policy, health communication, research, programme documentation, or knowledge management.
• Proven ability to develop knowledge products from concept to finalization, including evidence collection, drafting, technical review, and validation.
• Strong skills in collecting, analysing, synthesizing, and translating technical information into clear, audience-appropriate products.
• Experience developing knowledge products such as case studies, policy briefs, technical briefs, success stories, reports, and evidence summaries.
• Strong research, interviewing, storytelling, writing, editing, and analytical skills.
• Ability to identify and communicate key findings, lessons learned, challenges, innovations, and policy implications.
• Good understanding of NCD prevention and control, health promotion, and health systems approaches.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and Bangla.
• Ability to work effectively with government counterparts, development partners, communities, and technical teams.
• Strong organizational and computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and digital collaboration tools.

Desirable:
• Experience documenting NCD policies, programmes, health-system innovations, or implementation experiences.
• Experience developing policy and advocacy materials for government, donors, and development partners.
• Experience conducting field documentation, stakeholder consultations, and key-informant interviews.
• Experience with multisectoral public health initiatives, Health-in-All-Policies approaches, humanitarian health, primary health care, health systems strengthening, or NCDs in emergencies.
• Familiarity with NCD prevention measures, including FOPL, salt reduction, sugar-sweetened beverage policies, and trans-fat elimination.
• Experience in photography, digital storytelling, infographic development, or multimedia content creation is an asset.
• Experience working with WHO, UN agencies, government institutions, research organizations, or development partners is an advantage.

Competencies and values

Teamwork: Works effectively with WHO technical teams, Communications colleagues, government counterparts, partners and other stakeholders across different technical areas.

Communication: Communicates complex public health and NCD issues clearly and effectively through written, oral and audience-appropriate communication products. Demonstrates strong interviewing, writing, editing and storytelling skills.

Analytical thinking: Identifies relevant evidence, synthesizes information from multiple sources and translates programme experience and evidence into clear findings, lessons and policy messages.

Planning and organizing: Plans, prioritizes and manages multiple documentation assignments, interviews, field activities and knowledge products within agreed timelines.

Stakeholder engagement: Builds effective working relationships with government officials, health workers, programme managers, communities, WHO technical teams and partners to obtain information, validate content and develop credible knowledge products.

Results orientation: Takes proactive action to deliver high-quality knowledge products and documentation outputs within agreed timelines.

Attention to quality and accuracy: Ensures that facts, statistics, programme results, policy statements and technical information are accurately represented, appropriately sourced and technically validated before dissemination.

Adaptability: Works effectively across different NCD programme areas, audiences and documentation formats and adapts communication approaches to different contexts.

Technical expertise: Applies relevant public health and NCD knowledge to identify important programme experiences, implementation lessons, policy implications and promising practices for documentation and knowledge generation.

Living conditions

Dhaka is a rapidly growing megacity and the political, economic, and cultural center of Bangladesh. Home to around 37 million people, it is the second most populated and among the most densely populated cities globally. The city faces significant urban challenges, including traffic congestion, high population density, and limited public service capacity. Volunteers should expect an intense, vibrant, and dynamic urban environment undergoing rapid urbanization, with ongoing strains on water supply, waste management, and transportation systems. Only about two thirds of the city has piped water access, and traffic congestion is considered very high, making daily commuting time consuming. The climate is tropical, characterized by heat and humidity throughout most of the year, including a rainy monsoon season from June to October. Occasional flooding and waterlogging may occur during heavy rainfall.

The UN Volunteer will be based in Dhaka full-time, and be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. Accommodation options for international UN personnel are available in pre-approved neighborhoods, including Gulshan, Banani, Baridhara, among others, for security purposes. Healthcare facilities range in quality, with most reliable services concentrated in private hospitals in Dhaka.

Culturally, Bangladesh is conservative and deeply influenced by Islamic norms. Volunteers should be mindful of local customs, including modest dress and behavior – particularly for women. Social interactions place strong emphasis on respect, hierarchy, and community values. While Dhaka offers a rich cultural experience, historical sites, and a welcoming community, the environment can be challenging. Volunteers should be prepared for periods of physical discomfort, occasional environmental hazards, and the need for adaptability, cultural sensitivity, and resilience.

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.”

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.