Technical Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of the WHO Health Emergencies Programme (The Programme) is to work with countries and to coordinate international action, to prevent, prepare for, detect, rapidly respond to, and recover from disease outbreaks and other health emergencies. The Programme leads and coordinates the international health response, in support of affected Member State(s), to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. The WHO Health Emergencies Programme contributes to the implementation of the WHO Global Programme of Work (GPW 13) and is guided by WHO strategic priorities to “keep the world safe, improve health and serve the vulnerable”. The WHO strategic priorities drive the progress in health towards Universal Health Coverage, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and speaks particularly to SDG 3, to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Executive Officer, EXD WHE and the Chief Operations Officer, WHE, the Technical Officer will assist the development of technical briefings for Senior Management and support the development, collation and dissemination of internal information products (e.g. sharepoint, internal newsletter, etc) for the Programme. More specifically, the incumbent will :

Liaise with technical counterparts across the 3 levels of the Programme for technical material in relation to specific engagements of the Executive Director, and review and compile into complete briefing files;

Draft information products (e.g. briefing notes, powerpoint presentations, etc) on various topics and as needed;

Track and compile information on key events of the WHE Programme, and draft relevant information products (e.g. emails to staff, short stories, sharepoint updates) to ensure dissemination;

Support the Executive Officer functions during his/her absence;

Perform other duties as relevant to the above.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• A first university degree in communications, journalism, public health, health communications or related fields.

Desirable:

• Training in corporate communications, risk communication, web development and management, IT project management.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 2 years' experience in information management and communications in an international setting, corporate communications, crisis or risk communications or communications for change management.

Desirable:

• Experience in emergency setting.

• Experience in a country or regional office.

• Exposure at the international level.

Skills

• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills

• Strong coordination and networking skills

• Excellent organizational skills

• Ability to communicate with respect, tact and diplomacy

• Good negotiation skills

• Ability to work with interdisciplinary and multicultural teams

• Good problem solving skills

• Knowledge of modern corporate communications theory and practice

• Excellent understanding of WHO goals, programmes, structure and networks

• Ability to work under pressure, to deadlines and balance multiple tasks simultaneously

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable:

• Expert knowledge of French.

• Intermediate knowledge of WHO language.

The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 48,805 (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 3490 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's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.

• 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.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.