Communication Officer

The Communications Unit plays a key role in supporting the WR in the effective delivery of his/her mandate and in the provision of leadership and coordination of the work of WHO in Cameroun, the African Region and globally, particularly with respect to reputation management, health information dissemination, and corporate branding. The Communications Unit is the lead for development and implementation of Cameroun country office communications strategy. The Office prepares communication materials for media, public information documents, Governing Bodies and other partners. The unit provides guidance, drafting, editing, graphics and design services to the country Office Clusters and state Offices. COM is the lead Unit for interface with the media and for guidance to staff throughout the country on the rules for media engagement as well as issues of copyrights, data privacy or other aspects of AFRO communications.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the External Relations Officer and guidance of the PMO/WR, the incumbent will perform the following duties:Conduct media relations in consultation with supervisor, technical units and country office as appropriate this involves proactively pitching stories about key public health issues and the Organization’s work, arranging interviews and responding to requests in an accurate and timely manner.Monitor WHO’s exposure in traditional and social media and produce a daily media monitoring report distributed to staff, including systematic monitoring of pick-up of stories WHO has pitched.Maintain and update the regional media list and profiles of key reporters.Assist with planning and staging news conferences, campaign and advocacy events;Draft, coordinate clearance and support dissemination of communication and advocacy materials;Act as back-up when needed to update the home page of the WHO Cameroun website and social media accounts;Serve as focal point for internal communications in WHO Cameroun, including drafting stories and maintaining the calendar for the WHO Cameroun Intranet and day-to-day coordination of internal social media;Provide support to the Country Representative (WR), cluster leaders and other programme officers in planning and developing relevant information and communications products.

Promote WHO country office work by enhancing WHO visibility through implementation of creative, strategic corporate communications campaign plans, compilation and finalization of the WCO annual report etc.

Assist with resource mobilization efforts through packaging and disseminating key contributions of country office with outstanding results that foster realization of WHO’s mandate on the website and brochures. Provide technical support for crisis management (e.g. outbreak response) and empower communication skills for capacity building on strategic communications, interpersonal communication, media programming, public relations and social mapping.Development of IEC materials and produce visibility materials which included brochures, calendars, banners, posters, factsheets etc.

for showcasing WHO country office to donors, partners and other stakeholders. Oversee the design, editorial content of the WHO country office website, ensuring that the website remains relevant and content regularly updated. Draft press releases, speeches and talking points for WR and ensure print and electronic media coverage for major WHO celebration days and high-profile activitiesProactively identify opportunities and liaise with national and international media and, in close liaison with field offices, plan and organize regular and ad-hoc briefings e.g. press conferences, breakfast meetings, report launches and press conferences.

Monitor international and regional media, and regularly update WHO staff of any media coverage relevant to their work. Facilitate effective internal communication and staff engagement. -Implement other activities as directed by the External Relations Officer, PMO and WHO Country Representative.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: A first university degree in communication, journalism, political science or international relations or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.
• Desirable: Formal qualification in public health. Courses in communication techniques such as graphic design, visual language and in the use of social media.

Experience

• Essential: At least two years’ related experience in communication and/or advocacy, part of which supporting humanitarian emergency or health outbreak response and recovery activities. Proven experience inwriting advocacy documents and in the production of communication material.
• Desirable: Prior working experience with WHO/UN or with an international nongovernmental organization. Experience inorganizing advocacy campaigns. Experience in managing publishing processes.

Use of Language Skills

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

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2403881&tz=GMT%2B05%3A30&tzname=Asia%2FCalcutta