HQ/DCO recruits a Senior Communication Officer – (1902656)/RDC

Job Posting : May 31, 2019, 2:42:15 PM

Schedule : Full-time  

Objectives :

• • Provide strategic communications advice to the ADG Response, including on the proactive management of sensitive and/or reputational issues ;
  • In Country act as a general Spokesperson for WHO’s Ebola response operation and provide support including briefings and/or talking points for senior Organizational leadership media and public appearances;
  • Closely collaborate and coordinate with communication teams in Kinshasa, Goma and Butembo, AFRO and WHO HQ/DCO, ensure that WHO can quickly and authoritatively speak with one voice through multiple, easily found channels on matters relevant to the outbreak. Proactively engage HQ/DCO on issues of potential escalation ;
  • Collaborate with and support responsible units within the Organization at three levels (country, regional and HQ offices) and across WHO to ensure that communications strategies and materials being developed around the Ebola response are of high quality and are aligned to strategic priorities ;
  • Oversee the development and implementation of events, campaigns, messages and position statements that effectively convey issues to target audiences, world-wide, at country and community levels, to support the work of resource mobilization including donor visibility ;
  • Foster relationships with the media through the development of networks, to ensure that messages and communication campaigns are disseminated in an effective manner ;
  • Ensure all communications materials are approved quickly and efficiently under established clearance procedures ;
  • Coordinate with inter-agency (e.g. UN EERC, MONUSCO, other UN agencies involved in the response), Ministry of Health and other partner communications teams to align messaging ;
  • Coordinate and help organize media field visits ;

Perform other related duties, including replacing and backstopping as required .

The mission of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.

The Department of Communications (DCO) objectives are to:

• Ensure timely production and dissemination of high quality public information on longstanding and emerging public health issues through various platforms (print, web, broadcast, social media etc) and in multiple languages ;
• Define and promote a consistent corporate identity for WHO internally and externally ;
• Create a 21st century “culture of communications” at WHO by strengthening capacity at every level ;
• Contribute to managing WHO’s reputation by monitoring public opinion and concerns, and responding to them strategically; and lead the strategic communications response to epidemics and pandemics, public health emergencies and for the health aspects of humanitarian crises .

 

 

Description duties :

Within the framework of delegated authority, the Ebola Response Communications Officer will act as part of the WHO response team, leading on all aspects of communications.

The incumbent will be assigned all or part of the following responsibilities:

 

Required qualifications  :

Use of Language Skills :

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. 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 87,108 (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 3092 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 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.