Mission and objectivesThe World Health Organization (WHO), established on 7 April 1948, is the United Nationsโ specialized agency for international public health. Its mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve the vulnerable. WHO works with countries to strengthen health systems, prevent and respond to disease outbreaks, and promote health equity. Its core functions include setting global health standards, providing technical support, monitoring health trends, and coordinating international responses, especially during health emergencies. The Division of Pacific Technical Support (DPS) is part of WHOโs Western Pacific Regional Office and is based in Suva, Fiji. It supports 21 Pacific Island Countries and Areas (PICs) in achieving their health goals through technical assistance, capacity building, and coordination of regional health programs. DPS focuses on key areas such as noncommunicable disease (NCD) prevention, health security, climate resilience, and strengthening health systems in remote and vulnerable communities. It plays a vital role in ensuring health strategies are tailored to the unique challenges of Pacific small island states.
ContextWHOโs Division of Pacific Technical Support is working to strengthen community-level mental health services across the Pacific Islands through the field-testing of the WHOโs Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) Community Toolkit. This WHO guideline supports community providers in promoting mental health, preventing mental health conditions, and increasing access to quality services, especially in resource-limited Pacific communities. Several PICs have requested DPS technical support to pilot the toolkit and strengthen community-based mental health services. However, the toolkit must be adapted to meet the specific needs of community members and address service gaps in Pacific contexts. Under the guidance and support of the PNH Team of WHO's Pacific Technical Support Division, the UN Volunteer will contribute to the design and implementation of a research project to assess local mental health needs and adjust community services accordingly. The project will use scientific implementation frameworks, mixed-methods approaches, and other evidence generation techniques to gather feedback and build consensus among stakeholders. Based on project outcomes, the UN Volunteer will also help prepare a technical report on the community-based implementation of the mhGAP, providing concrete recommendations to Pacific Island Countries to support broader rollout of the initiative.
Task DescriptionUnder the direct supervision of Dr. Tomo Kanda (Team Coordinator) and Dr. Jiang Long (Technical Officer, Mental Health Division) of WHOโs Pacific Technical Support Division, the UN Volunteer will: Participate in designing a project to assess the feasibility of implementing the WHO community-based mhGAP in the Pacific and propose adaptation, implementation, and dissemination strategies using scientific implementation frameworks; Contribute to establishing a socio-ecological framework and work plan for the community-based mhGAP through formative research, identifying gaps and barriers at the user, service provider, program, and structural levels; Assist in drafting a technical report to provide evidence-based guidance on implementing and sustaining community-based mhGAP services in the Pacific; Support the team on other mutually agreed projects related to mental health.
Competencies and valuesโ Integrity โ Respect for Diversity โ Professionalism โ Planning and Organizing โ Managing Performance โ Self-Management โ Teamwork โ Technical Awareness โ Communication โ Credibility โ Adaptability and Flexibility โ Building Trust โ Commitment and Motivation โ Continuous Learning โ Ethics and Values
Living conditions and remarksSuva, Fiji is a UN B-category duty station. Serious crime is generally low, though occasional incidents do occur. Living conditions in Suva are generally comfortable, blending modern amenities with traditional island living. As the capital and largest city, Suva offers a range of housing options from city apartments to suburban homes. It has a tropical maritime climate, with warm temperatures and high humidity throughout the year. Residents have access to healthcare, education, and a variety of shopping and dining options. The city's vibrant culture and friendly communities make it an attractive place to live, though tropical cyclones may occur during the rainy season.