Communications Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

In the context of the WHO Health Emergencies Incident Management System (IMS), at the country level, the incumbent will deliver a well-rounded Communication and Advocacy plan, highlighting WHO's work on the ground and promoting achievements and results in emergency prevention, preparedness, response and recovery efforts.Duties\:1. Identify subjects of interest to develop and improve media/communication activities pertaining to the incident management efforts at the country level. Design state-of-the-art communication materials and tools; ensure the rapid and timely dissemination of information to all partners.2. Work together with WHE Communication Officer in Ankara to conceptualize a set of new advocacy documents to inform humanitarian and development stakeholders and the general public about WHO's response, co-develop, as relevant, high quality media tools, including audio-visual, photographic and printed materials, television and radio programmes, multimedia presentations, social media, videos and press releases, bulletins etc., to promote WHO's visibility, achievements and success stories.3. Liaise with the press/media to advocate and disseminate information on emergency prevention, preparedness, recovery and response strategies and efforts as well as relevant WHO campaigns. Organize interviews and filming opportunities to support high-visibility of WHO achievements through television, radio and newspapers, etc.4. Manage the development and maintenance of content for the emergency related websites, in compliance with guidelines and standards used throughout the Organization, to ensure consistency of approach. Critically review and improve contents, architecture and design.5. Research and write feature stories and messages, ideally bringing in a human element from real life experiences6. Prepare communication and advocacy products and statements to be used by the Resource Mobilization team in convincing and encouraging donors to rapidly fund the overall health sector response to affected populations.7. Collaborate with all relevant actors, including the health cluster, regional and field offices, other WHO departments, UN agencies, and other partners to identify and create communication opportunities and prepare communication campaigns on specific topics.8. Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: A first university degree in communication, journalism, political science or international relations or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable\: • Formal qualification in public health.• Courses in communication techniques such as graphic design, visual language and in the use of social media.

Experience

Essential\: • At least five years' related experience, at the national and international level, in communication and/or advocacy, part of which supporting humanitarian emergency or health outbreak response and recovery activities.• Proven experience in writing advocacy documents and in the production of communication material
Desirable\: • Prior working experience with WHO/UN or with an international nongovernmental organization.• Experience in organizing advocacy campaigns.• Experience in managing publishing processes.

Skills

• Proven skills in the development and implementation of communication/media products and tactics.• Excellent interpersonal skills complemented by the ability to conceptualize ideas and advocate consensus.• Excellent presentation skills• Ability to "think out of the box" and to make innovative proposals as related to communication.• Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context.• Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.• Familiarity with the use of graphic design, visual design, social media, website development and publishing software.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Promoting innovation and organizational learning

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Expert knowledge of Arabic.

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 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 981 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.

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• 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.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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