Grade: P4

Contractual Arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 1 year

Job Posting: Oct 9, 2024, 6:06:13 AM

Closing Date: Oct 30, 2024, 5:59:00 PM

Primary Location: Switzerland-Geneva

Organization: HQ/DCO Communications

Schedule: Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Communications (DCO) objectives areto position WHO as the authoritative and trusted voice on health, amplifying WHO's work, and leading WHO media outreach to support and global health advocacy and information objectives. This includes planning and producing communication products and evidence-based messages to enhance programme objectives, including by engaging with key stakeholders and partners.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

• Under the supervision of the Unit Head, Health Information and Advocacy, the Communications Officer:
• Develops and implements high-quality strategic communications plans and tactics for WHO health portfolios, including GTMC product launches, campaigns, champions, and events, including the November 2025 Global Summit on Traditional Medicine.
• Develops storylines and key messages on traditional medicine for key target audiences, including the public, policymakers, and the media, among others.
• Develops advocacy and communications products (e.g., news releases, digital and social media content) to promote WHO's work, conveying important public health messaging, and meeting the information needs of donors and other stakeholders.
• Drafts and edits written materials, including news products, fact sheets and Q&As, feature stories, ensuring accuracy, consistency, coherence, and adherence to WHO House Style.
• Supports WHO departments at the headquarters, as well as country and regional offices in proactively communicating through strategic communications planning and content development.
• Promotes WHO's work through corporate platforms, media queries/pitches, and spokesperson interviews/briefings.
• Partners with other Units and Teams across the Department of Communications and other relevant WHO Units to ensure alignment, timeliness, quality, and innovative approaches to communications products.
• Performs all other related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential:

• Advanced university degree (master's) in communications, journalism, or social sciences.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of public health and international relations

Experience

Essential:

• Minimum seven years' work experience relevant to the position, with at least two years obtained in an international work environment.
• Minimum five years' experience of writing and editing for publication (news/features, press materials, web copy, video/podcast scripts, etc.)
• Minimum five years' experience of producing digital content for global dissemination, including press materials, videos, photos, web, and social media.

Desirable:

• Experience working with WHO or other UN Agencies.

Skills

• Sound news and features writing skills.
• Proven ability to project manage, multi-task, prioritize, research, and write to short deadlines.
• Sound advocacy skills complemented by the ability to plan and evaluate situations and propose innovative communications options.

WHO Competencies

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

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of UN Language .

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 77,326 (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 6231 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment 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.

• According to Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules, and Manual.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. 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 also offers a wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

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