Executive Speechwriter

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The Office of the Director establishes the policies and strategy of the Organization and is responsible for managing the Secretariat. The Office of the Director has specific oversight for the country offices and country representatives, as well as the offices of the Deputy Director, Assistant Director, and the Director of Administration.

Under the general supervision of the Director (D), and the direct supervision of the Chief of Staff (COS), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Serve as the writer of speeches, remarks, talking points, articles, opinion editorials, and other public or internal comments by the Organization’s Director, with a developed understanding of style and preferences to produce high-quality final products;
2. Keep abreast of PAHO’s positions on key events, issues and policy, and develop messaging and materials that fulfill their relevant requirements;
3. Support the Office of the Director and collaborate with senior staff on the development of relevant communication plans, speeches, presentations, and talking points;
4. Interface with high-level external contacts including but not limited to relevant news media, government officials, partners and allies as indicated;
5. Work with design, video, and other staff and/or consultants as required, ensuring that important content is repurposed across digital platforms and channels;
6. Write, research and support the development of talking points and speeches for major speaking engagements, in consultation with technical departments and country offices;
7. Compile background summaries and briefing papers; ensure excellence in the content, design and delivery of the Office of the Director’s communication products;
8. Monitor the media landscape and work with relevant media and other senior staff on issues related to public health, advocacy, and other specific topics of current and leading concern to PAHO;
9. Identify media opportunities for the Organization and its leadership;
10. Build and facilitate strategic contacts and partnerships to ensure effective public advocacy to highlight the work of the Organization; develop content for stakeholder outreach;
11. Maintain a comprehensive electronic archive of speeches, remarks, and presentations, both as prepared and as delivered;
12. Maintain records of research and back-up materials that verify prepared speeches, articles, opinion editorials and other public or internal comments;
13. Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Essential: A bachelor’s and master’s degree in English, journalism, communications, international relations or any other field related to the functions of the position, from an accredited institution.

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/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience in communications journalism, international relations, including speech writing experience supporting senior executive level.

Desirable: Proven extensive experience in developing compelling content across a range of formats for expert and general audiences. Additional experience in writing speeches on behalf of a leader would be an asset.

• Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity. Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes on such diversity. Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.
• Teamwork: Collaborate and cooperate with others. Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.
• Communication: Express oneself clearly when speaking/ Listen / Write effectively/ Share knowledge. Foresees communication needs of audience and targets message accordingly. Facilitates open communication; encourages others to share their views openly and takes time to understand and consider their views. Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.
• Producing Results: Work efficiently and independently / Deliver quality results. Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.
• Setting an example: Act professionally and ethically / Be trustworthy. Works ethically to achieve individual work objectives under 'PAHO Regulations and Rules and the Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service. Maintains confidentiality and treats sensitive information with discretion; ensures that policies and procedures are followed in accordance with the Organization's professional, ethical and legal standards. When others behave in an unprofessional or unethical way, promotes appropriate standards and provides feedback in order to remedy the situation; escalates as necessary. Stands by own decisions and actions and accepts responsibility for them. Acts in an open and transparent manner when dealing with others; stands by own and/ team’s decisions or actions and accepts responsibility for them. Acts to promote the Organization’s success.
• Knowing and Managing Yourself: Continuously learn. Seeks all relevant information for decision making from a wide range of sources; quickly learns new competencies and skills that expand role capability; shows rapid understanding of new and/or complex information relevant to job.

• Theoretical knowledge and expertise in executive speechwriting with demonstrated ability to translate highly technical data and information into communication materials that can be easily understood by a wide range of audiences.
• Broad understanding of public health, scientific and corporate communication best practices and innovations; knowledge of information policy issues, methodologies for electronic publications, and public health terminology and concepts.
• Ability to convert technical language into accessible language for press releases, announcements, and executive speeches.
• Excellent research, organizational and analytical skills, complemented by excellent communication and interpersonal skills combined with the ability to write technical/persuasive documents in a clear and concise, diplomatic, and tactful manner.
• Ability to acquire knowledge and information about a wide range of subject-matter fields, and to select, organize, and present information in a manner suitable to the intended audience.
• Diplomacy, tact, and ability to effectively communicate with senior-level officials, multiple stakeholders, and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds; ability to develop and coordinate networks with relevant players in the field of international health and communication.
• Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment and to re-prioritize actions on short notice.
• Strong professional oral and writing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

Excellent command of English, both idiomatic and technical, and thorough knowledge of Spanish. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

Demonstrated ability to effectively use hardware, including mobile devices, and production software related to Web 2.0, HootSuite platform and other social media tools. IT skills and knowledge of other software such as Adobe Social and Adobe Creative Suite would be assets.

US$3,087.67 This amount is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.
• For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org
• PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.
• The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.