Communications Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

To ensure that effective WHO Country presence is established to formulate, evaluate, and implement WHO country cooperation strategies that are aligned with Member State’s health development agendas that aims to increase access to and effectiveness of high-quality health care, sound Health Financing and Human Resources strategies and better Health Governance.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Responsible for the technical efficiency and effectiveness of communications and advocacy priorities, strategies, and products pertaining to communications and external relations activities at the country level.
• Advise the WHO Representative and WHO Yemen team on media outreach priorities and strategies.
• Oversee and mentor the WHO Yemen communications team and lead capacity-building of technical staff to ensure collaborative, cross-cutting communications.
• Design high-quality innovative media tools, including audio-visual, photographic, and printed materials, television and radio programmes, multimedia presentations, social media, videos and press releases, etc., to advocate for and promote WHO’s visibility, achievements, and success stories.
• Provide editorial guidance (i.e. copy editing and proofreading) to the technical team.
• Represent the emergency team in press conferences, media forums, journalist briefings, etc. Provide early warning to the senior leadership on issues of concern from the media, flag issues requiring communications preparation and response, as well as respond to media queries.
• Work closely with Communication teams at the three levels of the Organization, on proactive outreach, including media relations, advocacy, and proactive placement of articles and opinion-editorial pieces in the external media.
• Coordinate and manage media visits to the field emergency operations. Coordinate interviews and filming opportunities to support high visibility of WHO achievements through television, radio and newspapers, etc.
• Oversee the development, harmonization, and establishment of content for the WHO Yemen channels and platforms, in compliance with guidelines and standards used throughout the Organization. Critically review and improve content and liaise with the web team at all levels on the appropriate channels for and presentation of messages and materials.
• Work closely with the Resource Mobilization team to ensure the provision of targeted communications and media strategies and products required to convince and encourage donors to rapidly fund the WHO’s response to affected populations.
• Build partnerships with all relevant actors, including the health cluster, regional and field offices, other WHO departments, UN agencies, and other partners to identify and create communication opportunities and design communication and advocacy campaigns on specific topics.
• Establish a mechanism to monitor and evaluate the impact of WHO communications and revise strategies and approached as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master’s degree in communication or journalism or political science or social sciences or international relations.
Desirable: Courses in communication techniques such as graphic design, visual language, and the use of social media.

Experience

Essential: At least seven years’ relevant experience, with proven international exposure, in communication and/or advocacy, part of which should include writing advocacy documents and production of communication materials and products in addition to supporting humanitarian emergency or health outbreak response and recovery activities.
Desirable: Prior working experience with WHO/UN or with an international non-governmental organization.

Experience in organizing advocacy campaigns.

Experience in managing publishing and clearance processes.

Skills

Ability to write well in English and produce engaging communication and advocacy material.

Demonstrated ability in working with all forms of media in all situations.

Demonstrated ability to work under pressure to achieve multiple deadlines.

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.

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.

Excellent interpersonal skills complemented by the ability to conceptualize ideas and advocate consensus.

Demonstrated ability to work within an emergency context at the country level.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Driving the Organization’s Position in Health Leadership
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable:

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 2107 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

[email protected]

• 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.

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• 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.

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