Communications Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Unitaid is a multilateral partnership hosted by the World Health Organization. Unitaid is focused on making a unique and impactful contribution to the global response against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in developing countries. It catalyses improvements for the larger response through forward-looking and time-limited investments that are designed to increase access to better,more effective and more affordable health products (i.e. preventatives, medicines and diagnostics). These investments typically target market-based interventions such as price reductions, improvements in quality and supply, and the introduction of innovative products more suitable for the populations in need.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Operational support to the Team Lead for forward planning for communications, including development of planning tools, development of procedures and processes, particularly in light of the 2021 external audit of key controls around communications, media monitoring and crisis management;
• Contribute to the development of the annual corporate communications strategy, as well as thematic communication strategies;
• Ensure quality assurance of translations, including putting in place of quality assurance process with external service providers;
• Work on wide range of writing assignments, examples to include general content for the website, talking points for senior executives, news releases, brochures, fact sheets, etc.;
• Contribute to the development of a communications and stakeholder engagement strategy to support the upcoming Unitaid Strategy 2022 cycle;
• Play a proactive role in conceptualizing, planning and producing the annual report;
• Perform all other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A first level university degree in communications, journalism, humanities, social science or other relevant subject.

Experience

Essential:

• At least five years of experience at national or international level in communications, or national, multilateral and/or international stakeholder engagement;
• One year's experience of working in multicultural teams;
• Demonstrated experience of global health or international development health issues;
• Proven experience writing about technically complex issues and making them understandable to diverse audiences.

Desirable:

• Experience working in a complex organization;
• Proven ability to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Experience crafting messages for social media;
• Ability to engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders, inside and outside Unitaid.

Skills

• Excellent writing skills combined with ability to make complex technical issues understandable to non-specialist audiences.
• Strong analytical and planning capabilities, coupled with political awareness.
• Demonstrable skill in communicating effectively to differentiated audiences.
• Good knowledge of global health issues, and a sound grasp of HIV, TB and malaria preferred.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced work environment to short deadlines and produce results under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to work smoothly and flexibly in a team.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of French.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese. Intermediate knowledge of Spanish.

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 64,121 (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 4451 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 E-Manual.
• 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 workforce. 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 Charterinto 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 short-listed candidates.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit:http://www.who.int.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
• 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.
• As a WHO staff member assigned solely and exclusively to support this Partnership, selected staff will have no right of reassignment or transfer outside the Partnership either during or at the end of his/her appointment, including pursuant to WHO Staff Rule 1050. This does not apply to WHO fixed-term staff members reassigned from a non-Partnership position.
• UNITAID is a partnership hosted and administered by WHO, located outside WHO premises in Le Pommier, 1218 Le Grand-Saconnex.
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