Communications Specialist

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The role of the Communications unit is to use strategic communications as a tool to help achieve the Organization’s mission of promoting, providing and protecting health. This involves providing accessible, understandable, relevant, credible, timely and actionable information to ensure key stakeholders in the Western Pacific are aware of and support WHO’s work, and they understand key health issues and their role in addressing them. Key audiences include media, policymakers, donors and other partners, and the general public in the Western Pacific Region.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

1. In coordination with relevant staff in the Regional Office, country offices and headquarters, develop and steer the implementation of comprehensive communication strategies and plans to advocate for and ensure public awareness of key health issues, WHO’s leadership, programmes and achievements in countries and areas of the Western Pacific Region.
2. Support the implementation of the WHO corporate communication strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and key health initiatives.
3. Identify marketable subjects, success stories, and health-related trends, and develop a wide range of communications and advocacy products including for partnerships’ initiatives, to promote the regional public health agenda.
4. Oversee office processes for identifying, producing, disseminating and measuring the impact of communication content, ensuring high-quality materials and optimal outreach across suitable channels and platforms.
5. Ensure active communication support for the Regional Director, and from the Regional Office to COs and GDSOs in the Western Pacific.
6. Coordinate across the three levels of the Organization and with key partners on editorial issues, media relations, and digital engagement to ensure consistency and strategic alignment.
7. Organize events, campaigns, and media briefings, coordinating between media and WHO experts, as required.
8. Endeavour to create new and strategically important networks and contacts with the media, communication counterparts at relevant government agencies and partner organizations, and other key players to ensure strong knowledge of health issues and trust in WHO’s work in the Region.
9. Manage the development/updating of content on the WHO Regional and country websites in the Western Pacific and the regional intranet presence, and chair regular meetings of the regional web working group, ensuring regular updates and measurement, evaluation and learning.
10. Oversee the design and delivery of effective social media engagement strategies.
11. Ensure regular media monitoring, tracking audience/target group perceptions of the organization. Develop strategies to address deficiencies and manage risk-mitigation communications.
12. Collaborate with regional stakeholders, development and other strategic partners to produce and disseminate information on regional health strategies. Advocate for organizational priorities, foster related initiatives, and represent WHO in relevant fora.
13. Coordinate closely with the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (WHE) to develop and deliver specialized emergency or multi-hazard risk communications, social mobilization and advocacy plans before, during and after public health crises, emergencies, and outbreaks.
14. Advise Regional Office leadership and support implementation of strategic external and internal communications.
15. Coordinate and deliver communication and media-sensitization training for WHO staff, contributing to capacity building in the Region.
16. Perform other communication-related tasks as requested by the supervisor.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, marketing, political or international relations, or health.
Desirable: Formal qualification in public health. Courses in communication techniques, graphic design, or social media. Training in risk communication.

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/ .

Experience

Essential: A minimum of seven years work experience in communications strategy development and implementation, including delivery of communications services and products, with some obtained in an international work environment.
Desirable: Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained in the health field.

Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of WHO’s mandate and goals
• 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 ability
• Skills and ability to represent and promote the WHO brand in virtual communities and networks
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• 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

Desirable:

• Knowledge of WHO/United Nations programmes and practices
• Knowledge of the Western Pacific Region

WHO Competencies Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: who-enhanced-competence.pdf

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting & promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Creating and empowering and motivating environment
5. Producing results
6. Promoting the Organization’s position in health leadership

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Knowledge of French and/or Chinese is an advantage.

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 3183 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.

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• 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

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