Communication Officer

Overview

Develop and implement communications strategies for polio eradication.

You have:

• University degree in journalism, communications, social sciences, or business administration.
• At least 5 years' experience as a journalist or in a media organization (television, radio and/or print), at a national level with international exposure.
• Expert knowledge of English.
• Intermediate knowledge of French.
• Intermediate knowledge of Arabic.
• Studies or experience-based knowledge of advocacy and communications methods and techniques.
• Experience in planning and implementing media and communications projects tactics.

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 100,925 USD and 132,154 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Polio Eradication is a mission critical objective for WHO, as mandated by multiple WHA resolutions. The overall objective of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is to interrupt the transmission of poliovirus worldwide, certify eradication, stop the use of oral poliovirus vaccine and successfully sunset the programme. GPEI aims to do this through providing strong support to and collaboration withnational governments, who lead these areas of work. In order to help r ealizethese goals, GPEI is establishing a Hub to coordinate the inputs and supportprovided by the GPEI Partnership from regional and global levels to the country programmes in Afghanistan and Pakistan with the goal of ensuring the full implementation of GPEI's Polio Endgame Strategy 2019-2023.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform thefollowing duties: Contribute to development of a media and communications strategy for the PEI, in collaboration with EMR regional polio communication team and communication officers from Afghanistanand Pakistan (across the PEI partnership, including UNICEF) and ensure that isaligned with and complements the global and regional strategies.2. Work closely with the existingWHO communication teams in the Regional Office (EMR Polio, Communications, Resource Mobilization and Partnerships(CRP) unit and the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE)) andat HQ to make sure all communication approaches and products are aligned withthe Regional and WHO Global standards and are all in compliance with WHOcorporate regulations.3. In consultation with seniormanagement, identify and prioritize topics within the work of PEI that shouldbe promoted through media communications and organize all associated mediaevents such as press briefings, journalists' trips, interviews, photo exhibits,etc.4.Conceptualize advocacy andcommunication materials to inform polio, humanitarian and developmentstakeholders and the public about WHO/GPEI's polio response. Co-develop withthe GPEI partnership, high quality media tools, including audio-visual, photographic,and printed materials, multimedia presentations, social media, videos and pressreleases, etc., to promote GPEI and WHO's visibility, achievements and success stories.5.Prepare communication andadvocacy products and statements (including messages, media talking points,press releases, position statements) to be used by the GPEI's Advocacy Area ofWork and Resource Mobilization teams, WHO EMRO's Regional programme andRegional Director and Member States (including the regional subcommittee forpolio eradication and governing bodies meetings) to ensure engagement in polioat the highest level and to enable appropriate mobilization of necessary resourcesfor affected populations6.Support the regional polio communicationunit in producing and compiling reports and contribute to the development ofmonthly and annual reports. Assist the programme in designing and editing publication material. Ensure the rapid and timely dissemination of informationto all partners, stakeholders and the public.7.Monitor and analyze thenews coverage and updates of the region's mainstream media, particularly in thefields related to health and PEI work, and provide support in preparation ofperiodical analytical clipping reports.8.Contribute to developingcountry specific training materials and communication guidelines for WHO staffworking in PEI and ensure that these are incorporated in WHO global andRegional training curricula, organize and facilitate communication capacitybuilding training programmes for the country team on how to reach out to, andwork effectively with, the media to promote the WHO role in PEI.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree injournalism, communications, social sciences, or business administration. Desirable: Studies or experience-basedknowledge of advocacy and communications methods and technique.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years' experience as a journalist or in a media organization (television, radio and/or print), at a national level with international exposure, or in the organization involved in information and communications projects and/or tactics related to humanitarian crises and response relief interventions. Desirable: Experience in planning andimplementing media and communications projects tactics, including thedevelopment of audio and visual materials and tools. Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals of PEI or experience in similar positions in the UN or NGOs.

Skills

Proven skills in implementation of communications/media products and tactics, including relations with the press and media. Excellent interpersonal skills complemented by the ability to conceptualize ideas and promote consensus. Ability to work in emergency situations under pressure while producing results. Knowledge or sound understanding of the PEI impact of on social and economic development, and its burden on populations. Ability to "think out of the box" and to make innovative proposals as related to communication. Tact, discretion, and diplomacy.

WHO Competencies

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

WHO global Competencies model at http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Intermediate knowledge of Arabic.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 62,692 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2335 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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.

• 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.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.

• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

Potential interview questions