Communications Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Executive Director's division (EDD) together with the Business Operations Division (BOS), provides the vision and leadership through which country offices and technical divisions are supported in the efficient delivery of the General and European Programme of Work (GPW/EPW) and the WHO Programme Budget.

It encompasses the enabling functions of resource mobilization, external relations and communications, programme and resource management, and support to governing bodies of the European Region. In addition, EDD includes organization development, staff development and learning, and transformation. It also specifically includes the representative function of WHO with the institutions of the European Union, and the EURO Ombudsman, who reports directly and independently to the Regional Director, as well as the committee on staff health and well-being.

EDD has overall responsibility for the planning, execution, and evaluation of WHO programmes at the regional and country levels and in strengthening the alignment and joint work across the three levels of the Organization. It is also responsible for the management of corporate resources and the effective and efficient allocation of such resources to achieve the results laid out in the GPW/EPW.

The Communications, Identity and Publications (COM) unit will support the Regional Director and the work of the Regional Office by strategically leading, coordinating and overseeing the communications activities within the Regional Office and by generating visibility for RD's public interventions. It will be responsible for the planning and coordination of all communications, media relations and publications, for capacity building in communications across the office, for guiding and coordinating the divisional and Country Office communications work, for internal communications (in collaboration with RDO organization development), EPW branding and identity, for liaising and contributing to risk communications, and for providing strategic communications advice to senior management, EURO Divisions, Country Offices, GDOs, networks and partners on communication issues. The Unit also ensures the implementation of the communication strategy and its implementation and monitoring. As part of providing and maintaining the various communications platforms, it will be responsible for the development, functioning and sustainability of the EURO web site, the EURO intranet and various social media channels.

The WHO country office works with the National Authorities to achieve the highest standard of health as a fundamental human right, based on equity and on SDGs principle of leaving no one behind. WHO actions are engrained in the WHO 13th General Programme of Work with its 3prong objectives of promoting healthier populations, keeping the world safe through addressing health emergencies, and protecting the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. WHO's mandate revolves around six core functions:(i) providing Global Health leadership; (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 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 and to implement the European Programme of Work 2020-2025 - “United Action for Better Health in Europe” which sets out a vision of how the WHO Regional Office for Europe can better support countries in meeting citizens' expectations about health. WHO at country level delivers this through practical, actionable and country focused solutions to health challenges, keeping in perspective that achieving health and well-being is a whole-of-society endeavor; This is done through facilitating the implementation of the Biennial Collaborative Agreement with the country and its corresponding workplan. The WHO Country Office maintains good working relations and ensures information exchange between the country and WHO, policy and strategic guidance on Health issues to all national and international partners in the country, provision of direct technical expertise when needed and aims at more community engagement and participation, and to promote health equity.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the BCA (Biennial Collaborative Agreement), the purpose of the position is to support WHO's communication and visibility activities and strategies in the country.

Key duties:

Under the overall guidance of the RO COM team and the WR, draft the CO communication-plan as well as communications messages and products on country work for public and professional groups (policy-makers and health professionals, media, web and social media audiences, community and opinion leaders, and the general public).

Assisting the implementation of selected public health and health care campaigns (e.g. Emergency/risk communication, non-communicable diseases and risk factors, immunization and healthcare waste management, health sector reforms, mental health, HIS and digital health/telemedicine, health equity, international standards in health) including messages, written and multimedia materials, dissemination and follow-up.

Review the national social media landscape, identify appropriate platform(s) and under the guidance of the RO COM team create WHO's own accounts/platforms to build a WHO country office presence, and maintain this presence through regular postings and engagement on such accounts/platforms.

Contribute to the visibility of the various initiatives managed by WHO and the broad collaboration (including identifying partners and donors) in these areas of work (e.g. provide input to appropriate newsletters/news items, arrange press briefings and press conferences, organize project launch and handover events, utilize appropriately the emblems of organizations in all project communications, etc.).

Network, coordinate contacts of main communication counterparts among various authorities and communication channels at national level, including UN partners, as well ensure regular media monitoring.

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.

Support the WR on external and internal communications matters.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree (Bachelor's level) in communications, public relations, international relations, journalism, philology, public health or related social science.
Desirable: University degree (Master's level) in any of the above or related disciplines.

Experience

Essential: At least one year of national professional experience in arranging and coordinating information sharing, communication activities, media relations and message development. Demonstrated experience with online communications, including web and social media.
Desirable: Experience organizing press conferences, briefings and handover events. Demonstrated relevant work experience with(in) WHO and/or UN agencies or other international organizations and international NGOs or other entities active in the health sector.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of WHO's mission and work in the country. Proficiency in standard text and presentation software applications. Computer, IT and multimedia skills (including use of internet, social media, Web, power point, and experience with photographs and videos).Emotional intelligence; Ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Georgian.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Russian

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at GEL 76,908 (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.

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

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• 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.

• 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.