External Relations and Communications- Programme Officer Consultant- Roster

1. Area of expertise :

External Relations and Communications- Programme Officer Consultant- Roster

2. Purpose of consultancy

Funding has been received from donors World Bank, European Union, Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), GAVI- Global Alliance Vaccine initiative (GAVI), European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), Central Emergency Response Funds (CERF) , Global Fund (GF) and inter alia.

The consultant will provide technical advice with regards to developing and/or coordinating written outputs in support of external relations and communications activities for COVID-19 and other health programmes (including emergency/humanitarian activities), external relations, communications and donor visibility.

3. Background

The WHO CO Somalia continues to face a significant surge in work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading coordinated response efforts of the UN Country Team, and the provision close support to the preparedness and response activities of health authorities at federal and state levels. At the same time, WCO continues undertaking its normative functions (e.g. Universal Health Coverage, Public Health Concern, Expanded Programme on Immunization/Polio, Reproductive/ Maternal/Child and Adolescent Health/Aging (RMNCH), Noncommunicable diseases (NCD)/ Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) etc.), as well as implementing life-saving emergency health services through rapid response and anticipatory action interventions in emergency-affected areas of the country, including resulting from recurring climatic shocks (flood, drought).

Based on the above, raising awareness and understanding of WCO’s current work through external relations, communications and donor visibility activities across Somalia, as well as supporting donor visibility and risk communication initiatives with partners, remain vital for: positioning the WCO’s health leadership amongst UN agencies; reaching beneficiaries; recognizing WCO’s donor partners; and supporting resource mobilization efforts. In these respects, External Relations and Communications Unit (ERCU) has planned various external relations, communications and visibility initiatives throughout 2022-23, which will require time-bound support from such an expert in order to maintain the momentum of the WCO’s health leadership A Programme Officer (external relations/communications) consultancy is therefore

4. Deliverables

Output 1: To produce high quality written outputs (annual reports, web stories, human interest stories, risk communications and community engagement, press releases etc.).

Deliverable 1.1: To produce and upload written outputs on a bi-weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual basis (based on priority, needs and donor agreements), as well as ensuring timely dissemination among donors, partners and other relevant stakeholders.

Deliverable 1.2: Oversee the graphic design, editing, formatting and printing of various (relevant) written outputs.

Deliverable 1.3: Oversee the production of various communication products developed by external providers on behalf of WCO (as relevant).

Output 2: To guide the National Institute for Health (NIH) Somalia with regards to communication.

Deliverable 2.1: As a means of raising NIH profile and improving their visibility, the consultant will provide guidance

in developing and launching various communication plans and other related products,

Output 3: To manage external relations, communications, advocacy and/or donor visibility initiatives.

Deliverable 3.1: Organize the implementation and/or management of various activities, events and/or trainings related to external relations, communications, advocacy and/or donor visibility.

Deliverable 3.2: Coordinate with other UN sister agencies on such activities, as relevant.

Deliverable 3.3 :Provide technical advice in the development of advocacy materials and/or reports detailing the work of WCO in bridging various health gaps (e.g. medical oxygen access, community health workers etc.) through research, human interest stories as well as other success stories showcasing and demonstrating the positive impacts of WCO.

5. Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: Bachelor degree in communications, journalism, international relations or other related area.

Experience

Essential: 5 to 7 years of relevant professional experience in communications, external/donor relations, visibility, programme/project management, or other related area.

Desirable:

• International experience supporting WHO and/or other UN agencies in external relations, advocacy and/or communication events and activities.
• Experience in supporting the development and implementation of communication strategies, as well as the compilation of various written outputs (annual reports, technical programme updates, web stories, human interest stories etc.).

Skills/Knowledge:

• Excellent communication, writing, coordination and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in coordinating and compiling timely, high quality and accurate communication written ourputs.
• Knowledge of and experience working in and/or on Somalia, or other humanitarian contexts.
• Experience in donor visibility.
• Cultural diversity awareness.
• Knowledge and experience in supporting social media initiatives.

Languages and level required (Basic/Intermediate/Expert):

Expert knowledge of English is required. Intermediate knowledge of other UN languages is an asset. Intermediate knowledge in Somali language is an asset.

Location

On site: Kenya with duty travels to Mogadishu and other locations in Somalia

Travel

The Consultant may be expected to travel inside and outside of Kenya as and when needed for better coordination of assigned tasks and functions. This may include missions to Mogadishu and other locations in Somalia. A separate travel plan will be developed if and/or when needed.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

1. Remuneration: Band Level B
2. Expected duration of contract (Maximum contract duration is 11 months per calendar year): 11 Months with possibility of extension

Additional Information:

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line. For assessment of your application, please ensure that your profile on Stellis is updated; all experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time. Kindly note that CV/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are not accessible.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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.
• 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.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.