Senior Editor and Writer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

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

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

--> Liaise with WHO technical experts in Clusters and in country offices to gather key information for communications products;--> Draft and edit strategic WHO AFRO communications documents including, press releases, talking points, briefing documents, reports, booklets, opinion pieces and advocacy materials;--> Develop multimedia content for the WHO web site including feature stories, photo stories and video messages;--> Develop training material for WHO country communications focal points to help improve the quality of their written work, as well as mentor the focal points;--> Contribute to writing engaging documents for donors; --> Contribute to writing communications products for the AFRO Clusters and/or departments as needed;--> Manage locally-based reporters/writers in countries to develop written content for AFRO;--> Manage photographers to ensure good quality photographs are taken in the field;--> Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential\: Master's degree in international studies, public health, communications or related area.
Desirable\: .

Experience

Essential\: At least seven (7) years' experience working in communications with a focus on writing and editing articles, reports, video or radio scripts and other media products. Experience working for the United Nations and/or other international organization.
Desirable\: Experience working for a media organization.Experience writing video scripts.Experience producing multimedia communications products.

Skills

Good management, leadership, communications, public relations and interpersonal skills. Ability to establish and maintain partnerships at organizational, local and international levels and to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment. Ability to communicate with respect, tact and diplomacy. Thorough understanding of the impact of communications on the reputation, image. Thorough understanding of public health and/or international development issues. Ability to elicit and communicate success stories. Ability to transform technical information for different target audiences.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Moving forward in a changing environment
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential\: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable\: Intermediate knowledge of French. Beginners knowledge of Portuguese.

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 72,637 (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 3226 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 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.

• 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.

• For information on WHO's operations please visit\: http\://www.who.int.

• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link\: http\://www.who.int/employment/en/. 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.

• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.