COMMUNICATION OFFICER

Volunteering Communications & PR IT & Telecom

Overview

Support communications activities at the country level.

You have:

• University degree in journalism, information management, communications, international relations, management/business or social science.
• Experience as a journalist and/or communications expert for a major national or international organization.
• Knowledge of information management, information systems, communications techniques and media relations.

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

In the context of WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work (GPW) and its triple-billion strategy, the incumbent will support communications activities at the country level. Key deliverables include accurate and timely production and dissemination of high quality public information products which highlight WHO and partners work on the ground; promoting achievements and results of key public health initiatives and building contacts with the press/media and key partners and optimizing networking opportunities. The incumbent will work with colleagues in the country office to ensure WHO’s work and health issues gain visibility among partners, the public, the media, and other key stakeholders. Female candidates from the African continent are strongly encouraged to apply as the assignment is part of the African Women Health Champions Initiative, the Regional Director's flagship initiative to diversify WHO workforce in terms of gender, age, geographical representation, and language.

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of WHO Representative of Togo, the UN Volunteer will: 1. Identify subjects of interest to develop and improve media/communication activities at the country level and develop a communications plan for the country office, which works in synergy with the global and regional communications strategies. 2. Produce public information materials such as press releases and media advisories on WHO events, products and issues for dissemination to the print, electronic and online media, as well as media talking points for country spokespeople. 3. Build relations with the national media and ensure that WHO issues, and work are regularly profiled by the national media. 4. Take photographs of key WHO events, activities as well as of key health programmes for use on the country and regional websites as photo stories, as well as on social media. 5. Monitor media coverage of WHO issues, programmers and people in the country and provide regular reports to the Regional Office. 6. Organize photographic shoots and interviews and filming opportunities to support high visibility of WHO achievements through television, radio and newspapers, etc. 7. Manage the social media accounts of the country office in compliance with guidelines and standards used throughout the Organization, to ensure consistency of approach. Regularly update content on these platforms 8. Manage the development and maintenance of the country website, in compliance with guidelines and standards used throughout the Organization, to ensure consistency of approach. Regularly update content on the website. 9. Support the monitoring of mis-disinformation circulating on social media and local media. 10. Research and write feature stories and messages, ideally bringing in a human element from real life experiences 11. Work with external relations officer in the country office (if there is one) or in the regional office to prepare communication and advocacy products and statements to be used by the Resource Mobilization team in convincing and encouraging donors to rapidly fund the overall health sector response. 12. Collaborate with all relevant actors, including the health cluster, regional and field offices, other WHO departments, UN agencies, and other partners to identify and create communication opportunities and prepare communication campaigns on specific topics.

• Communication: expresses oneself clearly in conversation and interaction with others; actively listens. Produces effective written communications. Ensures that information is shared. • Teamwork: develops and promotes effective relationships with colleagues and team members. Deals constructively with conflicts. • Moving forward in a changing environment is open to, and proposes, new approaches and ideas. Adapts and responds positively to change. • Promoting innovation and organizational learning invigorates the Organization by building a culture which encourages learning and development. Sponsors innovative approaches and solutions. • Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences demonstrates ability to work constructively with people with different backgrounds and orientations. Respects differences and ensures that all can contribute.

as a journalist and/or communications expert for a major national or international organization.

Type of Degree: • Essential: University degree in journalism, information management, communications, international relations, management/business or social science • Desirable: Studies or experience-based knowledge of information management, information systems, communications techniques and media relations

Depends on the duty station.A volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be computed by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$ 1,571. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to the cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website (http://icsc.un.org). For example, if the PAM for the current month is 54.6%, then the VLA for that month will be (US$ 1,571 x 54,6 /100) + 1,571= US$ 2,429. Moreover, a Family Allowance (FA) is added in accordance with the number of recognized dependents: US$ 250 if the UN Volunteer has 1 recognized dependent, and US$ 450 if the UN Volunteer has 2 or more recognized dependents. Accordingly, the VLA will be US$ for a volunteer without dependent; US$ for a volunteer with one recognized dependent and UD$ for a volunteer with two or more recognized dependents.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 3 years ago - Updated 1 year ago - Source: unv.org