Communication Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To ensure that effective WHO country presence is established to implement WHO country cooperation strategies that are aligned with Member State’s health development agendas and emergency/resilience programmes, and harmonized with the United Nations country teams.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office:

1.In coordination with the regional and/or headquarters communication focal points, develop and guide the implementation of communication strategies and plans to support awareness of the programmes and achievements of WHO at country level. Ensure the implementation of the WHO corporate (global and regional) communication strategy.

2.Identify marketable subjects/success stories and develop communications and advocacy products including for partnerships’ initiatives.

3.Establish office processes for content identification.

4.Ensure optimal and timely outreach and dissemination to target audiences in suitable media channels and platforms, including social media.

5.Organize media events, campaigns and media technical briefings, coordinating between media and WHO experts, as required.

6.Build and maintain productive networks and contacts with the press/media and key, national communication counterparts to ensure positive and optimal coverage of WHO’s work.

7.As a national of the country or territory, apply knowledge of the cultural norms of diverse, national stakeholders and audiences to (i) manage the development/updating of content and stakeholder linkages for the WHO country office website and (ii) the sensitive design and delivery of effective social-media engagements.

8.Ensure regular media monitoring, tracking audience/target group perceptions of the organization.

Identify information deficits and develop strategies to address these deficiencies; manage risk-mitigation communications.

9.Collaborate with national stakeholders, development and other strategic partners and United Nations Information Officers, to encourage the production and dissemination of information on national health strategies. Advocate for organizational priorities, foster related initiatives, and represent WHO in the United Nations Communication Group.

10.Deliver and/or support specialized emergency or multi hazard risk communications, social mobilization and advocacy plans, during public health crises, emergencies, and outbreaks.

11.Advise country office leadership on strategic, external and internal communications and support country office staff on communications with sensitivity to national cultural norms, where required.

12.Coordinate and deliver communication and media-sensitization-related training for WHO country office staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A university degree (bachelor’s) in communications, journalism, marketing, political or international relations, health communications or related fields.

Desirable: Formal qualification in public health such as Master of Public Health; courses in communication techniques and/or graphic design, visual language in the use of social media. Training in risk communication.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of five years' experience overseeing and delivering communications services and products at the national level. A minimum of 2 years in communications strategy development.

Skills

·Thorough understanding of public health and international development issues

·Proven skills in the development and implementation of communication/media products and approaches including solid writing skills

·Excellent interpersonal and networking skills

·Ability to represent and promote the WHO brand in virtual communities and networks

·Ability to develop messaging and positioning for an international organization

·Ability to elicit and communicate success stories

·Ability to transform technical information for different target audiences.

·Knowledge of WHO /United Nations agencies programmes and practices

• Knowledge and understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context

WHO Competencies
Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model:
https://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

1) Teamwork

2) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

3) Communication

4) Setting an example

5) Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

Excellent knowledge of English and Arabic.

IT and other skills

Proficiency in computers and office software packages, handling of web-based management systems, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and Cloud Management Enterprise System such as Workday.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 87819 (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.
• Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to apply on-line through Stellis. For assessment of your application, please ensure that:
  1 -Your profile on Stellis is properly completed and updated.
  2- All required details regarding your qualifications, education, training and experience are provided under relevant sections.
  3- Your experience records are properly entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time.

• 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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• 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.