Communications 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 127,176 USD and 163,967 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 all polio viruses worldwide, certify eradication, stop the use of oral poliovirus vaccine and successfully sunset the programme. GPEI aims to do this through implementation of the Global Polio Eradication Strategic Plan(Keeping the Promise) 2022-2026 by providing strong support to and collaboration with national governments, who lead these areas of work. This role is critical to ensuring that WHO EMR, the only remaining polio endemic region of WHO, realizes these goals and has in place the appropriate level of strategic communication and advocacy capacity to implement comprehensive communication policies and strategies for the Region.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

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

1. Develop, propose, implement and evaluate proactive coherent regional communications strategies to promote and advocate to increase the awareness of the Polio Programme (POL) goals, work and achievements; and ensure that it is aligned with and complements the global polio eradication initiative (GPEI) and WHO policies and strategies.
2. Supervise and manage the EM/POL Communications team and the work and deliverables of consultants. Oversee the role of the team as a secretariat for the cross-partnership advocacy for polio eradication in endemic and outbreak affected countries of the region.
3. Lead coordination of communications and advocacy with technical teams within EM/POL,WHO country level colleagues, WHO/HQ and GPEI partners at all levels.
4. Provide expertise on effective media strategies and implement proactive communications with media building long-term relationships in close coordination with WHO EM Regional Office and WHO POL/HQ and GPEI partners.
5. Coordinate media events, information briefings and other international events. During polio outbreaks and crisis communication events, liaise with communication officers across the three levels of WHO to strategically disseminate information. Advise senior management of issues of concern and flag issues requiring communications preparation and response, as well as respond to media queries.
6. Systematically ensure awareness coverage of WHO EMR's Polio Eradication work and achievements, developing and disseminating technical and nontechnical articles and success stories.
7. Supervise the drafting and development of key communication products including WHO/GPEI messages, media talking points, press releases, position statements, audio-visual, photographic and printed materials and facilitate distribution and dissemination to the public and other key stakeholders.
8. Provide editorial guidance (i.e. copy editing and proof reading) to the technical team and information management officers to ensure quality control on regionally produced communication products including reports.
9. Coordinate the work of the secretariat for the Regional Subcommittee on Polio Eradication and Outbreaks.
10. Provide support to resource mobilization efforts through research and message development.
11. Lead on the development of country specific training materials and communication guidelines for WHO staff working on polio eradication and ensure that these are incorporated in WHO global and regional training curricula, organize and facilitate communication capacity building, developing communication strategies and ensuring their implementation.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree (Master's degree) in journalism, communications, international relations, political or social science or related field. Desirable: Studies or a degree in public health. Experience of film or video production

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years' experience with international exposure as a communications officer in a large UN, private or public organization or as a journalist including television, radio and/or print, or spokesperson in a large non-governmental or international organization, involving information and communications projects and/or strategies on health subjects Desirable: Experience in planning, implementing and evaluating media, information and communications projects/strategies, speech or campaign writing, elaboration of brochures, pamphlets and documentaries (written, film or others). Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals and of the polio eradication initiative or experience in similar positions in the UN or NGOs.

Skills

Proven knowledge of communication, information management and public relations.

Demonstrated writing and editing skills, with an ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to think and plan strategically.

Capacity to motivate others and work in an emergency situation under pressure while producing results.

Excellent interpersonal skills complemented by the ability to conceptualize ideas and promote consensus.

Knowledge or sound understanding of the impact of health emergencies and polio eradication on social and economic development and the challenges for polio eradication programme in the context of armed conflict and complex humanitarian emergencies.

Ability to "think out of the box" and to make innovative proposals as related to communication.

Knowledge or skills in visual design, website development.

Tact, discretion and diplomacy

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond Creating an empowering and motivating environment

http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Arabic. Intermediate knowledge of Other UN language.

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 77,326 (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 2487 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.