Communications Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

All Member States of WHO in the European Region share the common value of the highest attainable standard of health as a fundamental human.

All of WHO actions are based on this and rooted in the General Programme of Work.

The 13th General Programme of Work defines the mission of WHO as one to promote health, to keep the world safe, and to protect the vulnerable.

The GPW calls for heightened accountability, prioritising impact and outcome at country level, and to improve the lives of three billion people, through universal health coverage, through addressing health emergencies, and promoting healthier populations.WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions\:

(i) providing leadership on global health matters;

(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 European Region (EURO) of WHO is made up of 53 countries, with over 880 million people. The diversity of people and health situations requires, on the demand side, a solid understanding of the emerging socio-economic, epidemiologic and demographic patterns and trends at both aggregate as well as national and sub-national levels, with due sensitivity to disadvantaged populations and vulnerable segments of the society. On the supply side, it is equally crucial to have a solid understanding of the commonalities and divergences of the health systems, the circumstances and political economy under which they have evolved and operate and, more specifically, how these bear upon the way the health system stewardship function of health ministries is carried out.

The Country Relations and Communication Team (CSC) advises the Regional Director and the Regional Office on its strategy for relations and cooperation with Member States and implements the Regional communications strategy. It is responsible for the in-house coordination of country work, as well as the planning and administration of Biannual Collaborative Agreements. Furthermore, the CSC\:

I. advises the Regional Office on its country strategy;

II. facilitates, supports and contributes to the coordination of all activities undertaken by the technical units within the countries and works closely with the PAR Unit to ensure development of strategic partnerships at country level to the benefit of the WHO country offices and the Member States;

III. ensures the implementation of the communication strategy, the coordination of all communications activities in the Regional Office, GDOs and country offices;

IV. is responsible for the development, functioning and sustainability of the EURO web site, the EURO intranet and various media channels.

The Strategic Communications (COM) team is part of CSC. The COM team is responsible for the development, functioning and sustainability of the EURO web site, the EURO intranet and various media channels. It supports the Regional Director and the work of the Regional Office by strategically leading, coordinating and overseeing the communications activities within the Regional Office and by generating visibility for RD's public interventions. The COM team is also responsible for the planning and coordination of all corporate communications and media relations work (including digital media), for capacity building in communications across the office, for guiding and coordinating the divisional and Country Offices communications work, for internal communications, for liaising and contributing to risk communications, and for providing strategic communications advice to senior management, technical divisions, Country Offices, GDOs, networks and partners on communication issues.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

As part of the Strategic Communications (COM) team, contribute to the implementation of the WHO/EURO's communications strategy by carrying out media relations work in the Regional Office aimed at raising awareness of public health matters in national and international media. Responsibilities\:Under the managerial oversight of the External Relations Officer the incumbent is assigned the following responsibilities\:

1. Provides support to the External Relations Officer in handling media relations both in general and for specific projects and events. Proactively carry out media outreach and contribute with media related expertise to the promotion of WHO/EURO work.

2. Develop media-friendly products (press releases, fact sheets, statements, news features, etc.,), obtain approval and ensure accuracy before issuing them to the press.

3. Regularly monitor WHO/EURO press box and coordinate response to media queries. Provide support to WHO/EURO's technical staff in dealing with media queries by developing talking points, interview briefs, FAQs, etc.

4. Maintain WHO/EURO's corporate press list and create new channels of dissemination of WHO/EURO's information and news to the media.

5. Organize press conferences for the Regional Director and senior WHO/EURO officials.

6. Conduct regular media monitoring. Analyse media reports and propose proactive media related actions/responses where needed.

7. As required, provide expert media support and advice during outbreaks or other emergencies in WHO/EURO Region.

8. Perform other tasks within this area of work as requested by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: University degree (Bachelor's level) in communications, journalism, public relations, political or social sciences or related discipline.
Desirable\: Advanced university degree (at the level of Master of Science) in any of the above.

Experience

Essential\: At least 5 years professional experience in the area of communications and/or press relations. Experience at the international level. Demonstrated experience in all of the following areas\: coordinating communication aspects of conferences / carrying media outreach / producing press materials such as press releases, fact sheets, statements, news features, etc
Desirable\: Experience with press and media relations in WHO or in the UN.

Skills

Knowledge and proven skills in the area of communications, journalism, public relations; Computer and IT skills (including on use of internet and the design of web pages) as per the requirements derived from the lines of responsibility described above.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Moving forward in a changing environment
Producing results

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of Russian, French or German.
Desirable\: Basic knowledge of any other European language other than English, Russian, French or 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 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 2608 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.