Communications Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The incumbent will work to ensure implementation of the WHO country office’s communication strategies in support of its programmes and objectives, in the context of the WHO strategic direction at country level. This will serve to promote and increase knowledge about the work and achievements of the WHO country office at country level and the visibility of WHO

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office.

• In coordination with the regional and/or headquarters communication focal points, develop and guide the implementation of communication strategies and plans to advance advocacy for, and awareness of the programmes and achievements of WHO at country level. Ensure the implementation of the WHO corporate (global and regional communication strategy.
• Identify marketable subjects/success stories and develop communications and advocacy products. Establish office processes for content identification.
• Ensure optimal outreach and product dissemination to target audiences in suitable media channels and platforms, including social media.
• Organize media events, campaigns, and media technical briefings, coordinating between media and WHO experts, as required.
• Build and maintain productive networks and contacts with the press/media and key, national communication counterparts to ensure positive and optimal coverage of WHO’s work.
• Manage the development/updating of content and stakeholder linkages for the WHO country office website, as well as sensitive design and delivery of effective social-media engagements.
• Ensure regular media monitoring, and track audience and target group perceptions of the organization. Identify information deficits and develop strategies to address deficiencies and manage risk-mitigation communications.
• Collaborate with national stakeholders, development and other strategic partners and United Nations Information Officers, to produce and disseminate information on national health strategies. Advocate for organizational priorities, foster related initiatives, and represent WHO in the United Nations Communication Group.
• Deliver specialized emergency or multi hazard risk communications, social mobilization and advocacy plans, during public health crises, emergencies, and outbreaks.
• Advise country office leadership on strategic, external and internal communications and support country office staff on communication related matters.
• Coordinate and deliver communication and media-sensitization-related training for WHO country office staff

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A university degree (bachelor’s) in a relevant field (such as communications, journalism, marketing, political or international relations or health communications).

Desirable: Formal qualification in public health. Courses in communication techniques and/or graphic design, visual language in the use of social media. Training in risk communication.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of five years of work experience relevant to the position (overseeing and delivering communications services and products, including a minimum of two years in communications strategy development).

Desirable: Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained in an international context

Functional Skills

Essential:

• Thorough understanding of public health and international development issues
• Proven skills in the development and implementation of communication/media products and approaches including solid writing skills
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills
• Ability to represent and promote the WHO brand in virtual communities and networks
• Ability to develop messaging and positioning for an international organization
• Ability to elicit and communicate success stories
• Ability to transform technical information for different target audiences

Desirable:

• Knowledge of WHO /United Nations agencies programmes and practices

·Knowledge and understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context

Other Skills (e.g. IT)

Interpersonal skills and communication skills. Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize softwares such as Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and Outlook etc). Daily use of internet/email communications.

WHO Competencies

1.Teamwork
2.Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3.Communication

4. Building and promoting partnerships cross the organization and beyond
5.Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 59,151 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1666 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.

• In the event that your candidature is retained for an 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• 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 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 final candidates.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.