| The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. | |
| Vacancy Notice No: AFRO/15/FT12 Title: Communications Officer - Media Grade: P3 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract: Two(02) years | Date: 8 January 2015 Application Deadline: 22 January 2015 (14 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station: Brazzaville, Congo Organization unit: AFRO Africa Regional Office (AF/RGO) / AF/DRD Deputy Regional Director (AF/DRD) |
| OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The DRD cluster is responsible for the Communication, Advocacy and Media (CAM) unit, the Planning, Budgeting and Monitoring (PRM) Unit, and the Partnership and Resource Mobilization (PBM) unit. The objectives of the Communications, Advocacy and Media Unit are to: Communicate pertinent information on WHO goals, policies, programmes, guidelines and activities to the media and other stakeholders through suitable formats (print, web, broadcast, social media etc.) in English, French and Portuguese languages; Strengthen public and programme communications related to technical cooperation between WHO and Member States as well as development partners, including the media; Provide communication support to technical programmes and WCOs, and undertake internal communication, and define and promote a consistent corporate identity for WHO internally and externally; Liaise with the local, regional and international media to ensure informed and accurate coverage of WHO activities and programmes. Contribute to managing WHO's reputation by monitoring public opinion and concerns Undertake strategic communications response to epidemics and pandemics, public health emergencies and for the health aspects of humanitarian crises. | |
| Description of duties: The incumbent will: Initiate and produce public information material such as Press Releases, feature articles, notes for the media, media advisories, talking points, backgrounds and other material on WHO events, products and issues for use by the print, electronic and online media; Answer media inquiries and ccontributes to the planning and conduct of press conferences, seminars, media interviews and other events. Ensure that technical staff are fully prepared to brief media and contribute to provision of media training when necessary. Advise WHO staff, including senior staff, on media outreach strategies. Proactively reach out to strategic media and communications partners, stakeholders to to educate them about public health issues and facilitate the delivery and dissemination of public information. Prepares relevant information for placement on the AFRO web site and Intranet; Surge capacity - Provide communications surge capacity as needed in the case of public health or humanitarian emergencies or in other situations. Focal point for cluster/department Act as the liaison between technical Cluster (as assigned), and regularly attend cluster meetings. Proactively keep abreast of success stories, upcoming events and other potentially significant developments in the clusters covered so that content that could be developed for both off- and online dissemination. Keep up to date on latest public health developments in the area of work assigned to as focal point. Ensure communications plans and strategies are developed for events as needed. Contribute to the writing of media products for the cluster as needed. Other duties as required. Undertakes any other duties assigned by the Program Manager/Deputy Regional Director | |
| REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS | |
| Education: Essential: University degree in communications, journalism, public health, marketing or political or international relations. Desirable: Good understanding of WHO's mandate and procedures | |
| Skills: Excellent communications and interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with respect, tact and diplomacy Ability to write well in English with proven ability to manage competing priorities and responsibilities on a tight deadline. Comfortable working with all forms of media in all situations, including under pressure. Demonstrated networking skills. Thorough understanding of public health and international development issues, and the ability to quickly understand, process and communicate about new public health information. Ability to develop, communicate, analyse and evaluate media content. Excellent organizational and strong problem solving skills with attention to details. Ability to use online tools for media monitoring. Sound capacity building skills WHO Competencies: 1) Communicating in a credible and effective way 2) Ensuring the effective use of resources 3) Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond 4) Moving forward in a changing environment | |
| Experience: Essential: At least five (5) years of relevant experience at national and international levels. At least 5 year's experience in writing press releases, talking points, FAQs and other products for the media. Experience working on global public health issues and working in multilingual environment Desirable: Experience in WHO or another UN organization is highly desirable as well as experience working. International work experiences in developing countries particularly Africa would be an added advantage | |
| Languages: Good Knowledge of French or English and good working knowledge of the other. Knowledge of Portuguese will be an asset. | |
| Annual salary: (Net of tax) US$ 60 205 at single rate US$ 56 198 with primary dependants | Post Adjustment: 67.4 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation. |
| This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level. | |
| Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures. | |
| All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. | |
| WHO is committed to workforce diversity. | |
| Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. | |
