Consultant, Communication Officer (Roster)

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

Description of duties

Purpose of the Position\:

The Communication Consultant will support the Regional Communications Manager to provide media relations and media products for the WHO Health Emergencies Programme in Africa. The Consultant will assist in the development and implementation of regional communications strategies and in building communications capacities at the country and regional levels of the organization in the area of Health Emergencies in Africa.

Summary of Assigned Duties\:

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the Consultant is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities\:

1. Provide expertise on effective media strategies and implement proactive communications with media building relationships in close coordination with the AFRO Regional Communications team.

2. Systematically ensure awareness coverage of WHE work and achievements, developing and disseminating press releases, talking points, web stories and other media products as relevant.

3. Coordinate media events, information briefings and other events.

4.Organize photographic shoots and interviews and filming opportunities to support high visibility of WHO achievements through television, radio and newspapers, etc.

5. Develop posts for the social media accounts of AFRO on health emergencies in compliance with guidelines and standards used throughout the Organization, to ensure consistency of approach.

6. Research and write feature stories and messages, ideally bringing in a human element from real life experiences

7. During graded emergencies, liaise with communications project manager to strategically disseminate information.

8. Provide support to resource mobilization efforts through research and message development.

9. Perform other related responsibilities, including replacing and/or backstopping.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education\:

Essential\:
University degree in journalism, communications, international relations, political or social science, or related field.

Desirable\:
Courses in communication techniques such as graphic design, visual language and the use of social media.

Experience

Essential\:

At least 5 years' experience as a journalist, including television, radio and/or print, at national or international level, and/or communications officer in a large non-governmental or international organization, involving information and communications projects and/or strategies on health subjects.

Desirable\: Experience in film or video production and photography.
Experience in working in Health Emergencies

Skills\:

Competencies\:
1. Communicating in a credible and effective way (core)
2. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond (managerial)
3. Moving forward in a changing environment (core)
4. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences (core)
5. Fostering integration and teamwork (core)

Functional Knowledge and Skills\:

1. Proven knowledge of communication, information and public relations.
2. Demonstrated writing and editing skills, with an ability to communicate effectively.
3 .Knowledge or sound understanding of the impact of health emergencies on social and economic development, and their burden on populations.
4. Ability to "think out of the box" and to make innovative proposals as related to communication.
5. Proven ability to communicate and write in a clear and concise manner.
6. Excellent interpersonal skills, discretion, tact and diplomacy.

Languages

Essential\:
Expert knowledge of English

Désirable\: Good Knowledge of French.

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.