Communications Officer

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The objectives of the Department of Communications (DCO) are to:

- lead the development of the corporate communications plan, drive prioritization and ‘right size' effort with expected impact for WHO;

- position WHO as the authoritative and trusted voice on health at the global level through working with technical departments to develop strategies to amplify WHO's normative work;

- lead WHO media outreach, incl. crisis/ emergency communication with input from technical departments as well as across all 3 levels;

- drive all communication to the general public as well as responding to media enquiries; lead on global advocacy (e.g. health campaigns, public health information, donor visibility for resource mobilization);

- provide digital global production capacity & expertise to support all levels of the organization;

- lead on internal communication and staff engagement around prioritized corporate initiatives, digest public health information for staff as an audience and facilitate channels for internal two-way engagement andfeedback.

The DCO Leadership and Internal Communications Unit provides dedicated communications support to the Director-General and the Director-General's Office, Senior Organizational leaders, including the Business Operations Division and other representatives including Special Envoys and other appointed advocates.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the guidance of the Team Lead, Internal Communications, and in partnership with the rest of the Department of Communications team, HQ Departments/Divisions, Regional and Country Offices and external partners, the Communications Officer:

- Writes, edits, designs and manages content for WHO's internal communication channels, ensuring that content is accurate, accessible, informative and engaging.

- Partners with other Units and Teams at HQ and across the Department of Communications, to ensure alignment, timeliness, quality and innovative approaches to internal communication products and provides appropriate guidance and support in line with WHO House Style, brand and accessibility guidelines.

- Develops communication products for an internal audience (e.g. Intranet stories and pages, Workplace content, Newsletters and works with business owners and designers to develop print and audio-visual products, as necessary) to promote WHO's corporate priorities to staff, and digest important public health messaging to the HQ and global workforce.

- Acts as communications focal point for corporate communication needs (i.e. for departments such as, Human Resources, Information Technology, Staff Health and Wellbeing,etc.).

- Supports WHO country and regional offices, and relevant departments, in proactively communicating to the workforce, by sharing information and developed content, so that it can be cascaded to colleagues worldwide.

- Participates in and/or organizes staff events and/or staff engagement campaigns.

- Initiates and develops ideas with the team around creative and informative ways to engage staff in corporate and/or public health issues of interest to staff.

- Performs all other related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A first-level university degree in communications, journalism, humanities, sciences, health or a related field.
Desirable: Knowledge of public health.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 5 years in communications or journalism with a major international organization. Demonstrated experience in staff communications. Significant experience in developing and implementing communication content and strategies.
Desirable: Experience producing content for internal social media channels, and intranet platforms. Experience with facilitating the production of products such as photos, videos and print materials.

Skills

- Sound writing skills.

- Proven ability to multitask, prioritize, research and write to short deadlines.

- Sound advocacy skills complemented by the ability to plan and evaluate situations and propose innovative communication options.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Ensuring the effective use of resources
Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.

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 62,120 (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 4214 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 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.

• 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.