External Communications Officer

Details

Mission and objectives

The WHO Country Office was established in Prague in 1992 to assist Czechia in achieving its main public health priorities and to engage the country in global public health. The priorities for the Country Office are set out in the Biennial Plan of Cooperation between WHO/Europe and Czechia. The Office implements the plan in close collaboration with national institutions and international partner agencies.

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 the 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 Czech Republic and showcasing WHO’s work 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 Czech Republic; • 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 Czech Republic; • Write for and oversee WHO in Czech Republic'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 advice and support to WR and/or HoCO in his/her public and media appearances, prepping media interviews and promoting 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.