External Communications Officer

Contract

This is a UNV National Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as National UN Volunteer. It is normally only for nationals. More about UNV National Specialist contracts.

Following the 3-level grading of the emergency in Ukraine on 24 February 2022, an IMST structure has been put in place to respond to the emergency in Ukraine and surrounding countries. This includes a Communication Pillar to the IMST at regional and country level.

Communication specialists are needed in Ukraine’s surrounding countries to coordinate the development, implementation and evaluation of communications strategies in the context of Ukraine’s emergency by sharing relevant, timely, credible and accurate health information on the situation of refugees in Moldova and showcasing WHO’s work in in support the health systems and positive health impacts to a number of audiences

Reporting to the WHO Representative (WR) and/or Head of the Country Office (HoCO), and under the regular guidance of the Communication Manager RDD/EURO and Risk Communication and Community Engagement Regional Adviser WHE/EURO, the incumbent is expected to coordinate external communications in support to WHO/Europe response to the emergency in Ukraine. S/he strategically put heath high in UN communications and coordinates health partners’ communications. • Coordinate WHO external communications in the context of Ukraine’s emergency with the development, implementation and evaluation of a communications and advocacy strategy for WHO office in Moldova • Establish/maintain a communication coordination group among health partners, coordinating and supporting their communications and advocacy activities, and represent WHO UN communications, providing heath input to and putting health high in overall UN agenda; • Identify subjects of interest for communications products and activities pertaining to the emergency response efforts at the country level. Design communication materials and tools and ensure the rapid and timely dissemination of information to all partners, through traditional and social media channels; • Produce and disseminate high quality communications materials and tools, including audio-visual, photographic and printed materials, television and radio programs, multimedia presentations, videos, press releases, talking points, newsletters, bulletins, webstories, reports, briefings, etc., to showcase health situations and needs of refugees and promote WHO’s work, achievements and success stories; ensure they are in line with WHO communications strategies, and bring in a human element from personal experience; • Working closely with regional Communication Officers, establish and maintain a network of contacts in the press/media to ensure and promote the dissemination of information; organize interviews and filming opportunities to support high-visibility of WHO achievements through television, radio and newspapers, web and social media, and provide support to broadcast media and journalists and facilitate their access to related information, as appropriate; • Act as spokesperson as required, preferably in national language, arrange media interviews and press conferences with international and national media in Moldova. • Write for and oversee WHO in Moldova's social media platforms, with content in national language. • Prepare communication and advocacy products and statements to be used to mobilize resource for overall health sector response to affected populations. • Provide strategic communication advise and support to WR and/or HoCO in his/her public and media appearances, prepping media intreviews and promting WHO voice in the media landscape; • Perform any other duty as requested by supervisors.

Results/expected outputs: • Produce and disseminate high quality communications materials and tools, including audio-visual, photographic and printed materials, television and radio programs, multimedia presentations, videos, press releases, talking points, newsletters, bulletins, webstories, reports, briefings, etc., to showcase health situations and needs of refugees and promote WHO’s work, achievements and success stories; ensure they are in line with WHO communications strategies, and bring in a human element from personal experience; • Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout the assignment • A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for peace and development during the assignment, such as reporting on the number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed

• Professionalism • Integrity • Teamwork and respect for diversity • Commitment to continuous learning • Planning and organizing • Communication • Flexibility • Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement

communication and/or advocacy, part of which should include supporting humanitarian emergency or health outbreak response and recovery activities. Proven experience in writing advocacy documents and in the production of communication materials and products.

Experience in planning and implementing communications strategies in an emergency setting, including behavioral change and media communications. Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in emergency response relief or experience in similar positions in the UNs are advantage.

Functional Skills and Knowledge • Proven skills in the development and implementation of communication/media products and tactics. • Excellent interpersonal skills complemented by the ability to conceptualize ideas and advocate consensus. • Excellent presentation skills • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure to achieve multiple deadlines. • Ability to "think out of the box" and to make innovative proposals to extend communication reach. • Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context. • Knowledge of public health sector and issues. • Ability to write well in English and produce engaging communication materials. • Demonstrated ability to work within an emergency context at the country level.

The Republic of Moldova lies in the central part of Europe in the north-eastern Balkans. Moldova occupies an area of 33,843.5 km2. The capital of Moldova is Chisinau. On the North, East and South Moldova is surrounded by Ukraine, and on the West it is separated from Romania by the Prut River. The landscape of Moldova consists of hilly plains with an average altitude of about 150 meters (495 feet) above sea level, which flatten gradually toward the southwest. Old forests called Codrii cover the central part of the country. Moldova is in an earthquake zone connected to the Carpathian Mountains. The last major earthquake occurred in 1989, although smaller scale earthquakes are common throughout the year. Moldova’s two major rivers are the Nistru and the Prut, and a short span of the Danube crosses the extreme southern part of the republic. There are more than 3,000 small rivers or tributaries, of which only seven are longer than 80 km (50 miles). Moldova has more than 50 natural lakes and is rich in mineral-water springs. The country has a temperate climate with four definite seasons. Summers are warm and humid, with an average high temperature in July of +26 degrees Celsius. Winters are cold, especially because of the high humidity. Temperatures can remain below -10 degrees Celsius for several days, and snowfalls are usually not extreme, and snow can remain on the ground for up to several weeks. Spring and autumn are usually beautiful with mild temperatures. Chisinau, the capital, offers a wide variety of cultural and entertainment possibilities, such as opera, ballet, theatre, circuses, and nightclubs. The options decrease, however, in proportion to the population of the community. There are also a growing number of cafes and bars in Moldova, which offer diversity of food and drinks. The computerization of Moldova is progressing rapidly, Internet service is very popular in Moldova at reasonable rates and wireless facilities are available in many locations, therefore using Internet is the common way to stay in contact with friends and family in the home country. The capital city is very green with a lot of parks, lakes and trees around, and it has developed network of cheap public transport, which includes trolleybuses, buses and minibuses. Taxi services are well developed and are quite price-accessible

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials

UN Volunteer entitlements and allowances: The purpose of the allowances and entitlements paid to UN Volunteers is to enable UN Volunteers to sustain a secure standard of living at the duty stations in line with United Nations standards without incurring personal costs. The allowances are in no way to be understood as compensation, reward, or salary in exchange for the UN Volunteer’s service. Contingent on specific eligibility criteria, location of the volunteer assignment and contractual type and category, the payment of allowances will begin from the date of Commencement of Service For more information on entitlements please read the Condition of Service (https://explore.unv.org/cos) and use the entitlement calculator (https://app.unv.org/calculator) for the most up to date information