Speechwriter

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 163,655 USD and 210,999 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 Executive Director's division (EDD) together with the Business Operations Division (BOS), provides the vision and leadership through which country offices and technical divisions are supported in the efficient delivery of the General and European Programme of Work (GPW/EPW) and the WHO Programme Budget. It encompasses the enabling functions of resource mobilization, external relations and communications, programme and resource management, and support to governing bodies of the European Region. In addition, EDD includes organization development, staff development and learning, and transformation. It also specifically includes the representative function of WHO with the institutions of the European Union, and the EURO Ombudsman, who reports directly and independently to the Regional Director, as well as the committee on staff health and well-being. EDD has overall responsibility for the planning, execution, and evaluation of WHO programmes at the regional and country levels and in strengthening the alignment and joint work across the three levels of the Organization. It is also responsible for the management of corporate resources and the effective and efficient allocation of such resources to achieve the results laid out in the GPW/EPW.

The Communications, Identity and Publications (COM) unit will support the Regional Director and the work of the Regional Office by strategically leading, coordinating and overseeing the communications activities within the Regional Office and by generating visibility for RD's public interventions. It will be responsible for the planning and coordination of all communications, media relations and publications, for capacity building in communications across the office, for guiding and coordinating the divisional and Country Office communications work, for internal communications(in collaboration with RDO organization development), EPW branding and identity, for liaising and contributing to risk communications, and for providing strategic communications advice to senior management, EURO Divisions, Country Offices, GDOs, networks and partners on communication issues. The Unit also ensures the implementation of the communication strategy and its implementation and monitoring. As part of providing and maintaining the various communications platforms, it is responsible for the development, functioning and sustainability of the EURO web site, the EURO intranet and various social media channels.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To provide expert writing input and support to the Regional Communications Manager and the Regional Director, WHO/EURO in the development of key communication products for the WHO Regional Office or Europe. To contribute towards positioning the work of the Regional Director and the WHO Regional Office as a strong, authoritative and trusted voice on health and related issues in the region versus a broad range of key stakeholders, health practitioners and lay audiences.

Key duties:

Under the technical and managerial oversight of the Regional Communications Manager and in close consultation with the Regional Director, Executive Director of the Regional Director's Office, divisional directors and other relevant staff, the incumbent will research, write and edit speeches, video messages, talking points, forewords, editorials, social media content and other products/materials as necessary. This includes the following key duties:

Provide communications expertise in shaping and fashioning the content of the Regional Director's messages/products, with a special focus on speeches, talking points and social media. This includes liaising with technical units across WHO/Europe and, when necessary, at Headquarters and country offices, to research speech topics, gather information and ensure the technical accuracy of communication outputs/products developed for the Regional Director.

Develop speech ideas and create outlines/draft messages and materials that are clear, compelling, technically accurate, politically sensitive, and stylistically consistent with the Regional Director's voice and aligned with WHO regional priorities.

Edit and refine existing speeches/messages and convert speeches into written format as required.

Provide expert assistance in tailoring messages/products to specific key events at which the Regional Director is invited to speak, ensuring that the outputs are appropriate, relevant and attractive for the audience.

Coordinate logistics with venues and audiences as may be appropriate.

Provide expert feedback upon delivery of speeches/messages.

Provide expert communication advice to the Regional Director and office's key management as relevant on messaging and tone. This includes working closely with the Regional Communications Manager, Media Officer and divisional and country-level communications staff as needed.

Proactively organize and take part in relevant dialogues and meetings to discuss and agree on upcoming messages, speeches and other key content.

Perform other related duties within the remit and scope of the function, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced level university degree (Master's level) in communications, journalism, political science, public relations, international relations. English language, or other suitable areas of focus. Desirable: Qualifications in health, public health or global health diplomacy.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years' progressive experience working as a specialist in communications or a communications-related field with a health/ international development/political perspective. Within this experience, demonstrated experience in writing speeches and other written materials for high-profile leaders; Demonstrated experience working in public health or international development or politics with a development focus; at least three years of relevant international experience. Desirable: Relevant work experience with(in) WHO or another UN agency.

Skills

Demonstrated excellent writing skills, ability to create engaging and effective content that captures the spirit of the Regional Director and WHO/EURO's work, especially for spoken (including visual) formats. Good understanding of public speaking. Excellent language and persuasion skills. Advanced understanding of public health and international development topics and issues and strong understanding of politics and current affairs as related to global health. Proven strong skills in conducting topic related research, including critical thinking. Ability to deliver high-quality work with attention to detail, in a complex and fast paced environment. Ability to manage multiple speech writing projects at once and meet deadlines and adapt to changing situations quickly. Proven high interpersonal skills, including the ability to make and maintain effective contacts at all levels in a multi professional and multicultural environment. Emotional intelligence: ability to identify and manage one's own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences Communication Producing results Knowing and managing yourself

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of either French, Russian, or German.

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 5033 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• 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.

• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (

https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

) are strongly encouraged to apply. Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to

reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.

• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at [email protected].

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

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