Communications Specialist

The World Health Organization (WHO) seeks to hire a Communications Specialist who will conceptualise and guide the implementation of the WHO country office’s communication strategies in support of its programmes and objectives, in the context of the WHO strategic direction at the country level. This will serve to promote and increase knowledge about the work and achievements of the WHO country office at country level and the visibility of WHO.

Responsibilities

The Communications Specialist will perform all or part of the following, and other related responsibilities as required by the needs of the office:

• In coordination with the regional and/or headquarters communication focal points, develop and steer the implementation of communication strategies and plans to advocate for and ensure public awareness of the programmes and achievements of WHO at country level.
• Support the implementation of the WHO corporate(global and regional) communication strategy.
• Identify marketable subjects/success stories and develop communications and advocacy products including for partnerships’ initiatives.
• Establish office processes for content identification.
• Ensure optimal outreach and product dissemination to target audiences in suitable media channels and platforms, including social media. Organise media events, campaigns, and media technical briefings, coordinating between media and WHO experts, as required.
• Endeavour to create new and strategically important networks and contacts with the press/media and key, national communication counterparts and other key players in the national media environment to ensure positive and optimal coverage of WHO’s work.
• Manage the development/updating of content and stakeholder linkages for the WHO country office website and (ii) the design and delivery of effective social-media engagements.
• Ensure regular media monitoring, tracking audience/target group perceptions of the organisation.
• Develop strategies to address deficiencies and manage risk-mitigation communications.
• Collaborate with national stakeholders, development and other strategic partners and United Nations Information Officers, to produce and disseminate information on national health strategies. Advocate for organisational priorities, foster related initiatives, and represent WHO in the United Nations Communication Group.
• Develop and deliver specialised emergency or multi hazard risk communications, social mobilisation and advocacy plans, during public health crises, emergencies, and outbreaks. Advise country office leadership on strategic, external and internal communications and support country office staff on communications.
• Coordinate and deliver communication and media-sensitisation-related training for WHO country office staff.

Required qualifications

Education

• Essential: Advanced university degree in a relevant field (such as communications, journalism, marketing, political or international relations, or health communications).
• Desirable: Formal qualification in public health. Courses in communication techniques and/or graphic design, visual language in the use of social media. Training in risk communication.

Experience

• Essential: A minimum of seven years of work experience relevant to the position (delivering communications services and products),with some of it obtained in an international work environment. A minimum of three years of work experience in communications strategy development and implementation.
• Desirable: Some of the above-listed experience to have been obtained at an international level.

Skills

The following is expected of the Communications Specialist:

• Knowledge and understanding of WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context.
• 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 organisation, Ability to elicit and communicate success stories.
• Ability to transform technical information for different target audiences.
• Ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions, as well as helping others to do the same.
• Desirable: Knowledge of WHO /United Nations agencies programmes and practices

How to apply

The deadline for applications is October 29, 2024. To learn more and apply, please click here.