Communication Officer

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 141,549 USD and 182,499 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

The mission of WHO's Emergency Preparedness & Response (EPR) Cluster is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. Within EPR, the Strategic Support Unit brings together into a single management framework all back-office functions that support the operations, governance and external relations aspects of the EPR Cluster.

The operations, governance and external relations team work together and collaborate with colleagues across the EPR Cluster and beyond to contribute to the delivery of the vision/goals of the EPR Cluster

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:

• Develop, propose, implement and evaluate proactive coherent regional communications strategies to promote and advocate to increase the awareness of the Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) goals, work and achievements.
• Provide expertise on effective media strategies and implement proactive communications with media building long-term relationships in close coordination with WHE EXR in HQ.
• Systematically ensure awareness coverage of WHE work and achievements, developing and disseminating technical and non-technical articles and success stories and drafting responses to articles as relevant.
• Coordinate media events, information briefings and other international events.
• During graded emergencies, liaise with communications project manager to strategically disseminate information, in coordination with WHE/ HQ.
• Provide guidance and support to Regional and Country Offices teams in building communications capacity, developing communication strategies and ensuring their implementation.
• Provide support to resource mobilization efforts through research and message development.
• Promote multi-disciplinary and cross-cutting approaches and activities to facilitate full participation within and outside WHO/WHE and key partners.
• Perform other related responsibilities, including replacing and/or backstopping.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master's degree in journalism, communications, international relations, political or social science, or related field from a recognized university.

Desirable: Studies or degree in public health. Experience in film or video production.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 7 years' experience as a journalist, including television, radio and/or print, at national or international level, or spokesperson in a large non-governmental or international organization involving information and communications projects and/or strategies on health subjects.
• Experience in planning, implementing and evaluating information and communications projects/strategies, speech or campaign writing, elaboration of brochures, pamphlets and documentaries (written, film or others).

Desirable:

• Experience in developing escalation protocols for managing communication crises.
• Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals.

Skills

• Demonstrated writing and editing skills, with an ability to communicate effectively.
• Capacity to motivate others and work under pressure while producing results.
• Knowledge or sound understanding of the impact of health emergencies on social and economic development, and their burden on populations.
• Ability to "think out of the box" and to make innovative proposals as related to communications.
• Knowledge or skills in visual design, website development.
• Proven ability to communicate and write in a clear and concise manner where all reports, stories, etc. exhibit structure, ideas and correctness.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, discretion, tact and diplomacy.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 74,913 (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 4064 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• 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.