Communications Officer

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 134,294 USD and 175,847 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 and of the immediate Strategic Objective:

The Division of Country Health Policies and Systems (CPS) assists countries in the Region with the design and implementation of appropriate health policies and systems to strengthen universal health coverage. It works to strengthen data-driven, evidence-informed, contextually tailored health policy development and implementation at national, regional and local levels, taking an inclusive approach across the life course. The Division advocates strengthening of public health leadership, focusing on implementing policies that are people centred, promote health, prevent illness, and address the social and economic determinants of health, while fostering leadership on equity, human rights and gender mainstreaming in health. It focuses on building capacity for health systems innovation to enable the sustainable delivery of high-quality primary health and community services that are effectively linked to hospitals, and mental health, public health and social care services. To do so, CPS supports country efforts to facilitate access so as to leave nobody behind, to improve financial protection, to strengthen the health workforce, to increase access to affordable medicines and technologies, and to promote the uptake and implementation of digital technology.

Summary of Assigned Duties:

The purpose of the position is to develop and implement the communication, advocacy and public relations plans related to the strengthening of health policies in the European region, contributing towards a strong positioning and visibility of WHO/EURO’s work in this area and the achievement of Universal Health Coverage.

Generic responsibilities include supporting communication around the progress in achieving the strategic objectives and work plans of the CPS division the SDGs.

Key specific responsibilities include:

1. Proposing a communications plan for programmes, key products and events of the CPS Division which promotes the technical soundness of its work and maximizes the impact of its key messages. Ensure the timely implementation of this plan in collaboration with key technical stakeholders and counterparts in the region. 2. Developing and coordinating the relevant communication work at key events of the organization involving the CPS division such as Ministerial Conferences, high-level Meetings, Global campaigns, etc. 3. Developing and maintaining the necessary linkages across relevant areas, programmes and Divisions in EURO and also with relevant external stakeholders. 4. Contributing towards the increase of quality and volume of media coverage for CPS key work areas by building and maintaining effective relationships with media. 5. Coordinating and providing advice and support to Regional Advisers and other key technical staff in the CPS division on how to maximize communications output for their key priorities. 6. Providing specialist support to the overarching communications objectives of the organization related to SDGs, and the corporate communications plan for WHO/Europe.

Competencies: Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Knowing and Managing Yourself Producing Results

Functional Knowledge and Skills:

1. Demonstrated knowledge of core communication skills covering advocacy, consensus building, strategic communication, etc. 2. Demonstrated ability in effectively building, handling and managing media relations. 3. A demonstrated understanding of the technical background of the programme areas for health policies and systems. 4. The ability and willingness to work in a team environment with other professionals in communications inside and outside the organization. 5. Knowledge of the work of WHO and the UN. 6. Good computer and multimedia skills. 7. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment. 8. Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

Educational Qualifications:

Essential: University degree (Bachelor’s level) in communication science, journalism, media studies or another related field. Desirable: University degree (Master’s level) in the above-mentioned areas. Post graduate degree in studies relevant to the area of communications.

Experience:

Essential: At least five years of professional experience in the area of communications and media relations, including at least two years of experience at the international level. Demonstrated experience with communications in the domain of public health. Desirable: Relevant work experience within WHO or the UN.

Languages:

Fluency in English required. Working/intermediate knowledge of either French, Russian or German an asset.

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 59,151 (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 3135 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. • For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int. • WHO is committed to workforce diversity. • 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./ul>