Head, Communications – P4  

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to help countries, and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from outbreaks and emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. Responsible for the technical efficiency and effectiveness of communications and advocacy priorities, strategies and products pertaining to WHE’s activities at the country level. Advise the emergency team on media outreach priorities and strategies.
2. 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.
3. Provide editorial guidance (i.e. copy editing and proofreading) to the technical team and information management officer with regard to the situation report.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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. 
7. Oversee the development, harmonization and establishment of content for the emergency-related websites, in compliance with guidelines and standards used through out the Organization. Critically review and improve content and liaise with the web team at all levels on the propriate channels for and presentation of messages and materials.
8. 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 overall health sector response to affected populations.
9. 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.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Master’s degree in communication, journalism, political science, social sciences, international relations or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.
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 supporting humanitarian emergency or health outbreak response and recovery activities.

 • Proven experience in writing advocacy documents and in the production of communication materials and products.
 

Desirable:

• Prior working experience with WHO/UNor with an international nongovernmental 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. • Demonstrated ability to work within an emergency context at the country level. 

 WHO Competencies

WHO global Competencies model at http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Promoting innovation and organizational learning

 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 3093 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.
• 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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