Communication 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 right. All of WHO's actions are based on this and rooted in the underlying value of equity as described 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, prioritizing 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 objective of the Division of Health Systems and Public Health (DSP) is to develop in the WHO European Region the strategic capacity to assist Member States to design, establish and promote comprehensive health and health systems policies; to enable countries to benefit from international experience in reforming their health systems and public health services stressing quality, accessibility and efficient use of resources. The Division contributes to the development and promotion of the European Health Policy and National Health Policies, Plans and Strategies, and the knowledge base in the broad thematic areas of health systems governance, financing, organization, service delivery and resource generation, in collaboration with other relevant international, regional, national and non-governmental partners.

The WHO Country Office is an integral part of the WHO Regional Office for Europe. Its main role is to facilitate and coordinate all WHO activities at country level. This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding work plan. WHO helps the country to improve its health system and provides technical support as necessary. The WHO country office administers, consolidates, manages and enhances WHO collaboration in the country including all resources deployed in the country either permanently or temporarily to maximize WHO impact. The Country Office has a representational, fund-raising and resource steering function, as needed.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The purpose of the position is to communicate relevant health issues and results, as well as the work of all three levels of WHO to national audiences and promote communications about national health issues and developments (including the work of the WHO Country Office) at regional and global levels. This will be achieved through actively supporting the country work and BCA (Biennial Collaborative Agreement) through the implementation of the core and project related activities, including preparatory processes and gathering background information from country, supporting missions and other means to deliver results, follow-up on agreements, changes and developments and actively participate in WHO related country level activities. The specific objectives relate to continuous improved ability to communicate results and advocate for health, and on the path towards Universal Health Coverage.

Key duties\:

1. To develop, implement, coordinate and support a communication action-plan for the WHO Country Office.

2. To plan and develop, with support of experts and WHO team when necessary, communications messages and products on country work for public and professional groups (including media, web and social-media, conferences for policymakers and professionals, other platforms/materials).

3. To develop and implement the selected public health and health care campaigns (e.g. non-communicable diseases, health sector reforms, universal health coverage, international standards in health) including messages, written and multimedia materials, dissemination and follow-up.

4. To organize the evaluation of the knowledge, attitudes and practices in selected target groups and selected areas of country work.

5. To coordinate with the WHO/Europe communication team(s) the main communication activities (campaigns, information sharing, capacity building, etc).

6. To review the national social media landscape, identify appropriate platform(s) to establish a WHO country office presence, and maintain this presence through regular postings and engagement on such accounts/platforms.

7. To ensure proper visibility of the various initiatives managed by WHO and the broad collaboration (including development partners and donors) in the area of work (e.g. provide input to appropriate newsletters, arrange press briefings and conferences, utilize the emblems of organizations in all project communications appropriately).

8. To support the implementation of the WHO corporate (Global and Regional) communication strategy in Ukraine and support WHO Country Office (teams and individuals) on communication related matters.

9. To network, coordinate and manage the contacts of main communication counterparts among various authorities and communication channels at national level, as well ensure regular media monitoring.

10. Maintain an up-to-date media database for media in the country and liaise with them on a regular basis to ensure positive and optimal coverage for the WHO work, as well ensure regular monitoring of the communication sphere in the country to inform WHO activities.

11. To support the HWO on strategic external and internal communication.

12. Carry out other tasks as required to support the internal and external communication of the organization.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: University degree (Bachelor-s level) in communications, public relations, journalism or related social sciences.

Desirable\: Master-s degree in any of the above fields.

Experience

Essential\: At least two years of professional experience arranging and coordinating information sharing, communication activities, media relations and messages development. Experience producing written material, such as brochures, reports and online communications, including web and social media. Experience organizing press conferences and briefings.

Desirable\: Relevant work experience in health-related communications within international organizations, WHO or the UN system.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of WHO's mission and work. Demonstrated skills in relations with the media. Excellent computer and multimedia skills (including use of internet, Web, social media, photographs, videos, etc.).

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Russian. Intermediate knowledge of Ukrainian.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 35,147 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

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

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.