Promote Immunization Awareness Across the Western Pacific Region - Viet Nam

Host entity: WHO Vietnam

Application deadline: 15/09/2026

Mission and objectives

The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on 7 April 1948 as the directing and coordinating authority in global public health within the United Nations system. Working at three levels in the Organization (global, regional and country), more than 7000 WHO staff worldwide collaborate with the governments of 194 Member States and other partners to achieve the WHO founding vision of the attainment of the highest possible level of health by all people.

The WHO Western Pacific Region is home to more than one quarter of the world’s population, stretching over more than one third of the distance around the globe. In all, more than 600 WHO staff work in 15 country offices and the Regional Office in Manila, Philippines, to support Member States in achieving better health outcomes for the Region’s nearly 1.9 billion people in 37 countries and areas.

WHO presence in Viet Nam
Viet Nam has been a WHO Member State since 17 May 1950. WHO was one of the first United Nations agencies to support the Vietnamese health sector directly since the end of the war and reunification of the country. WHO established a country office in Hanoi in 1977 and a sub-office in Ho Chi Minh City in 2003. More than 50 WHO staff in the country office have played a central role in supporting the people and the Government of Viet Nam to improve health. The mission of WHO in Viet Nam is to support the Government to achieve universal health coverage with all people having access to high-quality health services, within the context of the country’s needs and challenges in transitioning to middle-income status.

Priorities of the United Nations in Viet Nam

The Government of Viet Nam and the United Nations agencies, including WHO, adopted the Delivering as One principle and committed to the One United Nations initiative in Viet Nam in 2006. In July 2017, they jointly launched the One Strategic Plan 2017–2021, which identified focus areas and outcomes for the United Nations interventions in Viet Nam.

Assignment context

The WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WHO WPRO) works with Member States and partners to improve the health and well-being of people across the Region. Immunization remains one of the most effective public health interventions, preventing millions of deaths every year and protecting communities from vaccine-preventable diseases.

The WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific (WPRO) holds annual sessions to discuss regional health priorities, review progress, and set strategic directions. The 77th session is scheduled to take place over four days, from 19 October to 22 October 2026, in Manila, Philippines World Health Organization (WHO). This session brings together Member States, observers, and partners to address public health challenges in the region.

As part of the region’s communications efforts leading up to the WHO Regional Committee Meeting in October 2026, WHO WPRO is mobilizing Online Volunteers to raise awareness about the importance of immunization and encourage informed conversations within their own communities and online networks.

The campaign will highlight WHO's regional immunization priorities through 2030, including: accelerating the elimination of measles and rubella in the region; reducing the number of zero-dose children who have never received a routine vaccine by 50%; strengthening life-course immunization; and creating an enabling environment by promoting equitable access to routine immunization, supporting sustainable investment and political commitment, and increasing vaccine confidence throughout the Western Pacific Region.

Task description

We are looking for enthusiastic Online Volunteers to support WHO WPRO's regional immunization messaging from 14 September to 22 October 2026.

Under the guidance of WHO WPRO, Online Volunteers will:

- Share 1-2 posts per week in different formats, including images, videos and text-based, highlighting evidence-based immunization messages provided by WHO or by creating original social media posts inspired by key messages provided by WHO, through their personal social media platforms and online communities. Neither would include the use of WHO logo, and no review of the content is needed by WHO.
- Participate in a mandatory, virtual orientation session in early September introducing WHO's regional immunization priorities and campaign objectives.
- Attend 1 virtual learning session every three weeks (2 in total) throughout the campaign delivered by WHO experts on topics such as immunization, vaccine confidence, health communication, and countering misinformation.
- Encourage respectful, constructive conversations on social media on the importance of immunization while promoting accurate health information based on posting guidance provided by the WHO.
- Track and record their engagement activities through simple monitoring forms provided by WHO and UNV, including links to public posts and audience reach.
- Online Volunteers will not provide any independent medical advice.

The Online Volunteers will be equipped with a communications toolkit comprising key messages and posting guidance to support them in developing and sharing their own personalised posts.

There is a possibility of becoming a Group Coordinator for this assignment with additional leadership responsibilities. Group Coordinator will support their assigned group by consistently posting, troubleshooting questions, and ensuring engagement metrics are accurately tracked and submitted. (Optional: Group coordinator must compile the 1–2-page report and submit at the end of the campaign)

If you are interested in serving as a Group Coordinator, please indicate this in your motivation statement.

Please note that Online Volunteers will not provide medical advice or respond to individual medical enquiries. Their role is to share WHO-approved information and encourage the use of trusted health resources.

Skills and experience

- Strong understanding of social media platforms and the ability to communicate evidence-based health information in a clear, engaging, and culturally appropriate manner.
- Active presence and familiarity with one or more social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, LinkedIn, or other relevant digital platforms) is required.
- Basic knowledge of online community engagement, social media interaction, and responsible digital communication is desirable.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and/or the local language(s) of target countries.
- Ability to work collaboratively and follow campaign messaging, branding, and communications guidance provided by WHO throughout the campaign.
- Demonstrated interest or experience in public health, community engagement, advocacy, communications, education, or social and behavioral change is an asset.
- Confirmation of non-engagement with the tobacco industry or non- State actors that work to further the interests of the tobacco industry, or with the arms industry.

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