Specialist, Emergency Advocacy & Communications

Contract

This is a P-1 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 1 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 75,897 USD and 104,891 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.

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

The objective of the Health Emergencies Department (PHE) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is to increase health sector resilience to emergencies and disasters. PHE assists Member States to strengthen the health sector’s capacities in prevention, risk reduction, preparedness, surveillance, response, and early recovery for emergencies and disasters related to any hazards (natural, man-made, biological, chemical, radiological and others) and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain disasters, including outbreaks, and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. PHE is responsible for ensuring the implementation and updating of the PAHO/WHO Institutional Emergency and Disaster Response Policy.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under general supervision of the Director, Health Emergencies (PHE), and the direct supervision of the Specialist, Health Emergencies Communications (PHE/RMC), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

1. Support the design, layout and drafting of advocacy and visibility material on PAHO’s work in health emergencies for dissemination via internal and external communication channels, including but not limited to PAHO website and social medial platforms;
2. Maintain the Organization's Health Emergencies website and related subsites and coordinate the publication of new web content associated with health emergencies, as directed;
3. Coordinate the dissemination of content via social media for the Department of Health Emergencies;
4. Create pages for the PAHO website according to established requirements and standards, through the Drupal Content Management System (CMS), using HTML code whenever necessary;
5. Review published content for errors such as incorrect titles, improper categorization, broken or missing hyperlinks from the PAHO Digital Library, and missing translations;
6. Convert and migrate relevant content from legacy systems (WordPress, Joomla) into the current system (Drupal), ensuring key legacy links have been properly redirected;
7. Create landing pages using CMS templates to feature both new and migrated content;
8. Manipulate image and document files to ensure these meet the PAHO website’s size, naming, formatting, and configuration standards;
9. Support capacity building within the Organization and Member States for health emergencies communication; collaborate in the implementation of relevant health emergencies communication strategies;
10. Research and draft technical and non-technical articles and success stories and support the drafting of responses to articles as relevant; disseminate relevant materials using PAHO's official channels as guided;
11. Collaborate in advocacy and visibility efforts relating to all areas of disaster/emergency preparedness, risk reduction and response, including supporting logistics and other efforts for media events, information briefings, and other international events (e.g. International Day for Disaster Reduction, World Health Day, etc.), in coordination with PHE technical units and CMU;
12. Participate in the Organization’s emergency and disaster response operations, as required;
13. Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for PHE personnel as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education****:

Essential: A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, international relations, political or social science, or any other field related to the functions of the post, from a recognized university.

Desirable: Specialized training in public health, crisis or risk communications, or advocacy. Training in film or video production would be an asset.

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/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.

Experience****:

Essential: Three years of combined national and international professional experience in webpage maintenance and journalism, including television, radio and/or print, involving information and communications projects and/or strategies on health subjects.

Desirable: Experience working in the United Nations systems or other multilateral institutions, non-governmental or humanitarian organizations. Field experience in public health programs or emergency response programs. Experience supporting the information and communications projects/strategies, speech or campaign writing, elaboration of brochures, pamphlets and documentaries (written, film or others) would be an asset.

SKILLS****:

PAHO Competencies:

• Overall attitude at work****: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
• Teamwork****: Collaborate and cooperate with others. - Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve results; encourages cooperation and builds rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the teams’ successes and shortcomings. Identifies conflicts in a timely manner and addresses them as necessary; understands issues from the perspective of others; does not interpret/ attribute conflicts to cultural, geographical or gender issues.
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences****: Relate well to diversity in others and capitalize on such diversity - Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.
• Communication****: Express oneself clearly when speaking/Write effectively/Listen/Shares knowledge - Quality and quantity of communication targeted at audience. Listens attentively and does not interrupt other speakers. Adapts communication style and written content to ensure they are appropriately and accurately understood by the audience (e.g., power-point presentations, communication strategies, implementation plans). Shares information openly with colleagues and transfers knowledge, as needed.
• Knowing and managing yourself: Manages stress/Invite feedback/Continuously learn - Remains productive even in an environment where information or direction is not available, and when facing challenges; recovers quickly from setbacks, where necessary. Manages stress positively; remains positive and productive even under pressure; does not transfer stress to others. Seeks feedback to improve knowledge and performance; shows self- awareness when seeking and receiving feedback; uses feedback to improve own performance. Seeks informal and/or formal learning opportunities for personal and professional development; systematically learns new competencies and skills useful for job; takes advantage of learning opportunities to fill competencies and skill gaps.
• Producing Results****: Deliver quality results/Take responsibility - Produces high-quality results and workable solutions that meet clients’ needs. Works independently to produce new results and sets own timelines effectively and efficiently. Shows awareness of own role and clarifies roles of team members in relation to project’s expected results. Makes proposals for improving processes as required and takes responsibility for own work and/or actions, as necessary. Demonstrates positive attitude in working on new projects and initiatives. Demonstrates accountability for own success, as well as for errors; learns from experience.
• Moving forward in a changing environment****: Propose change/Adapt to change - Suggests and articulates effective and efficient proposals for change as needed when new circumstances arise. Quickly and effectively adapts own work approach in response to new demands and changing priorities. Is open to new ideas, approaches and working methods; adjusts own approach to embrace change initiatives.

Technical Expertise:

• Knowledge of communication, information management, and public relations.
• Knowledge or skills in visual design, website development and maintenance.
• Inter-personal skills, discretion, diplomacy, and tact to effectively communicate with the media and with health officials in public and private sector and civil society, multiple stakeholders, and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment and to re-prioritize actions at short notice.
• Demonstrated professional oral, writing, and editing skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.

• Willingness to deploy at short notice in support of international emergency health interventions.

• Ability to integrate managerial and technical inputs into recommendations for decision-making processes; ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment.

Languages:

Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a sound working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.

IT Skills:

Demonstrated ability to effectively use current technology and software, spreadsheets and presentations, as well as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and management information systems. Other IT skills and knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, and Word are considered essential.

REMUNERATION

Monthly Salary****: (Net of taxes)

US$3,283.42 (Salary non-negotiable)

Post Adjustment****:

US$1,976.62. This amount is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates to fill other similar short-term professional positions, at the same grade level.
• Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this position as a form of screening.
• The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.
• For information on PAHO please visit: http://www.paho.org
• PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• PAHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.
• PAHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct.
• PAHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.
• PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are encouraged.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.