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 the 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 Czech Republic and showcasing WHO’s work 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 Czech Republic; • 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 Czech Republic; • Write for and oversee WHO in Czech Republic'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 advice and support to WR and/or HoCO in his/her public and media appearances, prepping media interviews and promoting 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, which includes solidarity, compassion, reciprocity and self-reliance; and commitment towards WHO’s mission and vision, as well as to the UN Core Values.

national and international levels in 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; Desirable: 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. Functional Skills and Knowledge: • National language native speaker and writer; • Ability to write well in English and produce engaging communication materials; • 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; • Demonstrated ability to work within an emergency context at the country level.

The Czech Republic performs well across a number of well-being dimensions relative to other countries in the Better Life Index. The Czech Republic outperforms the average in jobs, education, social connections, safety and life satisfaction. In terms of health, life expectancy at birth in the Czech Republic is around 79 years, two years lower than the OECD average of 81 years. Life expectancy for women is 82 years, compared with 76 for men. The level of atmospheric PM2.5 – tiny air pollutant particles small enough to enter and cause damage to the lungs – is 17 micrograms per cubic meter, above the OECD average of 14 micrograms per cubic meter. In the Czech Republic, 89% of people say they are satisfied with the quality of their water, higher than the OECD average of 84%. When asked to rate their general satisfaction with life on a scale from 0 to 10, Czech people gave it a 6.9 grade on average, slightly higher than the OECD average of 6.7.

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.