Communication Officer - World Health Organization (Apply by: February 04, 2016)

Vacancy Notice No: HQ/16/DGD/FT33 Title: Communication Officer Grade: P4 Contract type: Fixed-term Appointment Duration of contract:  One year, renewable, subject to satisfactory performance and continuing need for the post.	Date: 14 January 2016 Application Deadline: 4 February 2016 (5 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Geneva, Switzerland   Organization unit: HQ/DGD Offices under the Director-General (HQ/DGD) / HQ/DCO Department of Communications (HQ/DCO) HQ/NEW Media
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : 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. - lead the strategic communications response to epidemics and pandemics, public health emergencies and for the health aspects of humanitarian crises.
Description of duties: External media: - Represent WHO while working with the media. - Coordinate and handle media visits to WHO. - Answer media inquiries received by phone and email. - Draft press releases, notes for the media and media advisories for WHO events, products and issues. - Prepare external media events, such as press conferences for guideline launches, key public health days and major media issues. - Ensure that technical staff are fully prepared to brief media and provide media training when necessary. - Advise WHO staff, including senior staff, on media outreach strategies. - Contribute to the development of briefings and panels for the media to present WHO issues and experts. - Proactively reach out to media through the development of panel discussions, editorial boards and other opportunities to educate them about public health issues and introduce them to WHO experts. 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 departments (as assigned), and the Department, regularly attending departmental meetings. - Proactively keep abreast of success stories, upcoming events and other potentially significant developments in the departments 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. - Ensure the timely production of "talking points" and other written products and oversee required clearance processes. - Contribute to the writing of media products for the cluster and/or department as needed.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: 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 these will be reviewed individually. Essential University degree in communications, journalism, public health or political or international relations.
Skills:  - Excellent verbal and written communications skills. - Ability to write well in English and to juggle competing priorities under deadline pressure. - 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. - Excellent interpersonal skills. - Ability to develop, communicate, analyse and evaluate media content. - Attention to detail. - Proficient computer skills including Word, Powerpoint, Excel. - Ability to use online tools for media monitoring. 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 7 years of experience working as a journalist or working with the media on behalf of an international organization including at least 5 years experience in writing press releases, talking points, FAQs and other products for the media. Desirable Experience working in the field in emergencies or in developing countries. Experience serving as a spokesperson for an international or public health organization.
Languages: Expert knowledge of English and intermediate knowledge of French are required.
Additional Information: This vacancy is published in English only. WHO's salaries are calculated in US dollars. They consist of a base salary and a post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates. Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WHO: http://www.who.int, to learn more about WHO's operations http://icsc.un.org, click on: Quick Links > Salary Scales > by date. 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.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 68'294 at single rate USD 73'338 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 85.8 % 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.
A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening
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. For Apply: Click here