External Communications Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

The WHO Country Office in the Republic of Moldova was established in 1995, in Chisinau. The original goal was to provide continuous support to health authorities and partners in improving population health through evidence-based, sustainable public health and health care interventions as well as to advice on health in all policies. Over the years the Office has been the focal point for all WHO activities in the Republic of Moldova. In 2011 the WHO Country Office profile was upgraded. The Office is now under the leadership of a WHO Representative/Head of Country Office and is scaling up the level of activities to support national policy development.

Context

Following the 3-level grading of the emergency in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, an IMST structure has been put in place to respond to the emergency in Ukraine and surrounding countries. This includes a Communication Pillar to the IMST at regional and country level. Communication specialists are needed in Ukraine’s surrounding countries to coordinate the development, implementation and evaluation of communications strategies in the context of Ukraine’s emergency by sharing relevant, timely, credible and accurate health information on the situation of refugees in Moldova and showcasing WHO’s work in in support the health systems and positive health impacts to a number of audiences

Task description

Reporting to the WHO Representative (WR) and/or Head of the Country Office (HoCO), and under the regular guidance of the Communication Manager RDD/EURO and Risk Communication and Community Engagement Regional Adviser WHE/EURO, the incumbent is expected to coordinate external communications in support to WHO/Europe response to the emergency in Ukraine. S/he strategically put heath high in UN communications and coordinates health partners’ communications. • Coordinate WHO external communications in the context of Ukraine’s emergency with the development, implementation and evaluation of a communications and advocacy strategy for WHO office in Moldova • Establish/maintain a communication coordination group among health partners, coordinating and supporting their communications and advocacy activities, and represent WHO UN communications, providing heath input to and putting health high in overall UN agenda; • Identify subjects of interest for communications products and activities pertaining to the emergency response efforts at the country level. Design communication materials and tools and ensure the rapid and timely dissemination of information to all partners, through traditional and social media channels; • Produce and disseminate high quality communications materials and tools, including audio-visual, photographic and printed materials, television and radio programs, multimedia presentations, videos, press releases, talking points, newsletters, bulletins, webstories, reports, briefings, etc., to showcase health situations and needs of refugees and promote WHO’s work, achievements and success stories; ensure they are in line with WHO communications strategies, and bring in a human element from personal experience; • Working closely with regional Communication Officers, establish and maintain a network of contacts in the press/media to ensure and promote the dissemination of information; organize interviews and filming opportunities to support high-visibility of WHO achievements through television, radio and newspapers, web and social media, and provide support to broadcast media and journalists and facilitate their access to related information, as appropriate; • Act as spokesperson as required, preferably in national language, arrange media interviews and press conferences with international and national media in Moldova. • Write for and oversee WHO in Moldova's social media platforms, with content in national language. • Prepare communication and advocacy products and statements to be used to mobilize resource for overall health sector response to affected populations. • Provide strategic communication advise and support to WR and/or HoCO in his/her public and media appearances, prepping media intreviews and promting WHO voice in the media landscape; • Perform any other duty as requested by supervisors. Results/expected outputs: • Produce and disseminate high quality communications materials and tools, including audio-visual, photographic and printed materials, television and radio programs, multimedia presentations, videos, press releases, talking points, newsletters, bulletins, webstories, reports, briefings, etc., to showcase health situations and needs of refugees and promote WHO’s work, achievements and success stories; ensure they are in line with WHO communications strategies, and bring in a human element from personal experience; • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed