Communications Officer

To ensure that effective WHO country presence is established to implement WHO country cooperation strategies that are aligned with Member State’s health and development agendas, and harmonized with the United Nations country teams.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office.

• In coordination with the regional and/or headquarters communication focal points, develop and guide the implementation of communication strategies and plans to advance advocacy for, and awareness of, the programmes and achievements of WHO at country level. Ensure the implementation of the WHO corporate (global and regional) communication strategy.
• Identify marketable subjects/success stories and develop communications and advocacy products. Establish office processes for content identification.
• Ensure optimal outreach and product dissemination to target audiences in suitable media channels and platforms, including social media.
• Organize media events, campaigns, and media technical briefings, coordinating between media and WHO experts, as required.
• Prepare communication and advocacy products and statements to be used by partnerships focal points, where available, in encouraging the funding of health sector initiatives.
• Build and maintain productive networks and contacts with the press/media and key, national communication counterparts to ensure positive and optimal coverage of WHO’s work.
• Manage the development/updating of content and stakeholder linkages for the WHO country office website, as well as sensitive design and delivery of effective social-media engagements.
• Ensure regular media monitoring, and track audience and target group perceptions of the organization. Identify information deficits and develop strategies to address these deficiencies; manage risk-mitigation communications.
• Collaborate with national stakeholders, development and other strategic partners and United Nations Information Officers, to produce and disseminate information on national health strategies. Advocate for organizational priorities, foster related initiatives and represent WHO in the United Nations Communication Group
• Deliver specialized emergency or multi hazard risk communications, social mobilization and advocacy plans, during public health crises, emergencies, and outbreaks.
• Advise country office leadership on strategic external and internal communications and country office staff on communication related matters.
• Conduct and coordinate communication and media-sensitization-related training for WHO country office staff.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential:  A university degree (bachelor’s) in a relevant field (such as communications, journalism, marketing, political or international relations or health communications).
• Desirable:  Formal qualification in public health. Courses in communication techniques and/or graphic design, visual language in the use of social media. Training in risk communication.

Experience

• Essential: A minimum of five years of work experience relevant to the position (overseeing and delivering communications services and products, including a minimum of two years in communications strategy development).
• Desirable: Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained in an international context.

Skills

• Thorough understanding of public health and international development issues
• Proven skills in the development and implementation of communication/media products and approaches including solid writing skills
• Excellent interpersonal and networking skills
• Ability to represent and promote the WHO brand in virtual communities and networks
• Ability to develop messaging and positioning for an international organization
• Ability to elicit and communicate success stories
• Ability to transform technical information for different target audiences.
• Knowledge of WHO /United Nations agencies programmes and practices
• Knowledge and understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context.

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English Language.
• Desirable: Beginners knowledge of other UN languages.

Source: https://careers.who.int/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=2404704