Communications Specialist

Details

Mission and objectives

The World Health Organization (WHO), established in 1948 is the authority responsible for public health within the United Nations system. The Organization seeks “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.” The WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) is one of WHO’s six regional offices around the world. It serves the WHO European Region, which comprises 53 countries, covering a vast geographical region from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. WHO/Europe staff are public health, scientific and technical experts, based in the main office in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 6 technical centres and in country offices in 30 Member States.

Context

The World Health Organization (WHO), established in 1948 is the authority responsible for public health within the United Nations system. The Organization seeks “the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.” The WHO Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) is one of WHO’s six regional offices around the world. It serves the WHO European Region, which comprises 53 countries, covering a vast geographical region from the Atlantic to the Pacific oceans. WHO/Europe staff are public health, scientific and technical experts, based in the main office in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 6 technical centres and in country offices in 30 Member States. This UNV assignment will contribute to delivering WHO’s European Programme of Work, 2020-2025, “United Action for Better Health”, which has three core priorities: moving towards universal health coverage, protecting against health emergencies, and promoting health and well-being. Strengthening capacity at country level in communications is key to achieving this. https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-policy/european-programme-of-work As an active WHO team member, efficient, timely, responsive, client-friendly and high-quality support rendered to the WHO Country Office and Regional Office for Europe and its beneficiaries in the accomplishment of her/his functions, including: o Development of one-year EPW country communications plan. o Establishment of communications calendar of campaigns, events, initiatives and opportunities. o Production of communications materials on relevant EPW/national and regional health issues. o Weekly attendance at WHO/Europe communications meeting and collaboration when needed. o Participation at national UN communications meetings. • 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

Task description

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the WHO Representative or his/her designated mandated representative(s), the UNV Communications Specialist will: The purpose of this assignment is to support the WHO Country Office in communicating on relevant health issues, developments and findings; promoting the work of WHO at national level; and contributing to communications activities on delivering the European Programme of Work at country and regional levels. Key duties include: • To develop, coordinate, implement and evaluate an EPW communications action plan for the WHO Country Office. • To plan and develop, with support from Country Office (CO) and RO (Regional Office) staff when necessary, communications messages and products on country work for public and professional groups (policy-makers and health professionals, media, web and social media audiences, and the public). • To develop and deliver selected public health and health care campaigns (e.g. communicable and non-communicable diseases, vaccination, mental health, digital health, health care workers, health system developments, universal health coverage, the Sustainable Development Goals), including messages, written and multimedia materials, dissemination and follow-up. • To contribute to Regional communications strategies and plans, and coordinate/ share information with the Regional communications team on key communications activities including capacity-building. • To network, coordinate and manage the contacts of key communications counterparts among UN partners, authorities and communications outlets at national level. • To ensure proper visibility and support to partner engagement initiatives and collaboration (including development partners and donors) through development and dissemination of relevant communications products. • To provide support to CO/RO in managing resource partner engagement including assisting in proposal development and reporting. • To support the WHO Representative on strategic external and internal communications. • Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are encouraged to integrate the UN Volunteers programme mandate within their assignment and promote voluntary action through engagement with communities in the course of their work. As such, UN Volunteers should dedicate a part of their working time to some of the following suggested activities: • Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerism by reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNV activities (for instance in events that mark International Volunteer Day); • Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms of volunteerism in the host country; • Provide annual and end of assignment self-reports on UN Volunteer actions, results and opportunities. • Contribute articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNV publications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.; • Assist with the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers; • Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering or encourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV Online Volunteering service whenever technically possible.