Communications Specialist

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Executive Director’s division (EDD) provides the vision and leadership through which country offices and technical divisions are supported in the efficient delivery of the General and European Programme of Work (GPW/EPW) and the WHO Programme Budget. It encompasses the functions of programme and resource management, resource mobilization, external relations and communications, and support to governing bodies of the European Region. The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based one quity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3 prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO’s mandate revolves around six core functions: (i) providing Global Health leadership; (ii) shaping the health research agenda; (iii)setting norms and standards; (iv) articulating evidence-based policy options;(v) providing technical support to countries; and (vi) monitoring and assessing health trends. The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Region a Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level and to implement the European Programme of Work2020-2025 -“United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens’ expectations about health. WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavour; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will conceptualize and guide the 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 the 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.

Key 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 steer the implementation of communication strategies and plans to advocate for and ensure public awareness of the programmes and achievements of WHO at country level.

Support the implementation of the WHO corporate(global and regional) communication strategy.

Identify marketable subjects/success stories and develop communications and advocacy products including for partnerships’ initiatives.

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.

Endeavour to create new and strategically important networks and contacts with the press/media and key, national communication counterparts and other key players in the national media environment 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 and (ii)the design and delivery of effective social-media engagements.

Ensure regular media monitoring, tracking audience/target group perceptions of the organization.

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.

Develop and 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 communications.

Coordinate and deliver communication and media-sensitization-related training for WHO country office staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree 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 seven years of work experience relevant to the position (delivering communications services and products),with some of it obtained in an international work environment. A minimum of three years of work experience in communications strategy development and implementation.
Desirable: Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained at an international level.

Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context .
• 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 ability Skills and ability to represent and promote the WHO brand in virtual communities and networks.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, Strong interpersonal skills.
• 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.
• Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.
• Desirable: Knowledge of WHO /United Nations agencies programmes and practices

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French, Russian, German.

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 77,326 (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 2326 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• 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.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

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

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