Community Engagement and Inclusion Officer

The overall mandate of the WHO Iraq- UHC/Health Systems & Life Course team is to strengthen health systems in Iraq in order to make progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and health related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The Essential Drugs and Other Medicines (EDM) technical officer within the country team of UHC/Health Systems & Life Course contributes to two flagship priority areas of work in Iraq 1) improved access to essential medicines for UHC and 2) building national capacities for prevention and control of antimicrobial resistance. The main objective of the programme is to promote policies, build health system capacities and provide evidence-based guidance to Iraqi Ministry of Health, partners, and in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to improve access and promote rational use of safe, efficacious, quality, and affordable essential drugs and other medicines.

This United Nations Volunteer (UNV) assignment, implemented in collaboration with WHO Iraq focuses on strengthening community and youth engagement through inclusive, participatory, and people-centred approaches. The initiative aims to support the meaningful engagement of youth, civil society organizations, and community networks in public health and development activities, while promoting social inclusion and empowerment of vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities. The assignment will contribute to coordination, awareness raising, community mobilization, and implementation of initiatives that enhance community participation, resilience, and equitable access to opportunities and services. The UNV will work closely with WHO, relevant ministries, youth groups, and community stakeholders to support youth-led actions, inclusive engagement strategies, disability inclusion initiatives, and multisectoral collaboration aligned with national health and development priorities. This assignment is part of a UNV-funded initiative designed to bring fresh, diverse talent into UN programmes from countries that are currently unrepresented among UN Volunteers. It offers a unique opportunity to help ensure that global volunteering truly reflects the world we serve, while giving participating UN Volunteers meaningful, hands on experience with leading UN partners. As such, the initiative targets candidates from the following nationalities: Andorra, Croatia, Estonia, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, Slovenia”

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of health promotion and determinants officer or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UN Volunteer will: The UN Volunteer will support the planning, coordination, and implementation of community and youth engagement activities in collaboration with WHO Iraq relevant ministries, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders. The role focuses on strengthening inclusive community participation and promoting equitable engagement of vulnerable and marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, women, and youth, in health and development initiatives. The UN Volunteer will support coordination and engagement with committees and platforms working on vulnerable populations and disability inclusion, facilitating participation, dialogue, and collaboration among stakeholders. The volunteer will contribute to strengthening community-based approaches that promote inclusion, accessibility, social participation, and community resilience. Key responsibilities include supporting the development and dissemination of health awareness and risk communication materials; assisting in the implementation of health promotion and community engagement campaigns; supporting outreach and engagement activities with youth groups, schools, universities, civil society organizations, and local communities; and promoting community participation in public health initiatives and awareness programmes. The volunteer will also support organization of meetings, workshops, trainings, and community events; contribute to coordination, documentation, reporting, and data collection activities; and assist in identifying innovative and youth-led approaches to strengthen public health awareness and community engagement. In addition, the UN Volunteer will support advocacy and awareness efforts related to inclusion, healthy behaviors, environmental and public health issues, and community empowerment, while contributing to multisectoral collaboration and people-centred approaches aligned with WHO priorities and national health strategies.