Senior Writer

Contract

This is a P-5 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 10 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 172,512 USD and 216,197 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

The Office of the Regional Director (ORD)providestechnical advice, analyses and monitors the progress of organizationalinitiatives to support the Regional Director in theefficient delivery of his/her mandate and in the provision of effectiveleadership and coordination of the work of WHO in the African Region. This includes partnerships and collaborationwith member states, the UN system, the African Union, internationalorganizations, Regional Economic Committees, development partners, bilateral andmultilateral agencies, Civil Society, and other stakeholders. It is also responsible forcoordinating the preparation of policy, technical and managerial briefs onrelevant health matters to facilitate the decisions of the Regional Directorand monitors compliance in the implementation of specific executive decisionsand recommendations. The Office oversees the work of the Regional Office, WHOCountry Offices in the AFRO region, and the work of the WHO Secretariat withthe Member States, ensuring the coherence and synergies in actions ofcorporate services of Communications (COM), the Transformation AgendaInitiatives (TAI), and the External Relations, Partnerships and GoverningBodies (EPG).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is assigned the followingduties, including but not limited to: Research and fact-check up-to-date information on a broad range ofsubjects for the Regional Office for Africa. Draft, edit and finalizeup-to-date and accurate speeches, talking points, FAQs and other materials(including op-eds, articles, and contributions to the RD's Report and otherpublications) for public dissemination;Gather and organize ready to use files on information on possible eventsto enable early response to crisis, such as epidemies and other health-related incidents;Closely collaborate with the Communications Team on all aspects ofresearch target audiences to direct information, articles and publications tofurther understanding of AFRO's programmes and activities; providesubstantive inputs for proposals and technical presentations to donors andexternal partners; roundtable discussions, and other meetings; oversee theproduction of press releases and other statements for press conferences andbriefing sessions with press; review and clear the content of majorcommunication strategies and materials reflecting on the work of the RegionalDirector to ensure consistency with corporate policies, messaging andinitiatives;Assess a variety of materials with staff throughout the Regional Officeand other offices, as appropriate, checking all supporting data with the mostreliable internal and external sources, as appropriate; researchmaterials of technical, scientific and historical nature for incorporation inthe Director's speeches, reports and presentations;Proactively promote the elaboration andimplementation of internal and external communications strategies and plans,with emphasis on the consolidation of info/data and formulation of a monthlymessage to COs with updates from HQs to ensure the availability and ongoingupdating of a comprehensive knowledge repository of speeches presentations,advocacy materials for the ORD;Contribute to the strategic thinking andpositioning of WHO/AFRO through the future planning process;Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing andbackstopping, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced University degree in Communication, Journalism, International Relations, the Social Sciences, or the Humanities required. Desirable: Studies or training in Public Health.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience, in communications and international relations, with a minimum of two years inclusive at the international level and two years inclusive in a country setting, preferably in a health field. Desirable: Field experience inpublic health programmes in developing countries.

Skills

Demonstrated superior writing skills inEnglish complemented by the ability to adapt to a variety of styles;demonstrated capacity to work under pressure and meet tight deadline. Thorough understanding of public health andinternational development issues, and the ability to quickly process, verifyand communicate about new public health information.Knowledge of the UN system at the country and/orinternational level.

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### Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French. Desirable: The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 89,837 (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 4874 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• 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.