Communications Officer

Grade: P3 Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 2 years Job Posting: Jun 28, 2024, 7:29:51 AM Closing Date: Jul 14, 2024, 4:59:00 PM Primary Location: Denmark-Copenhagen Organization: EU/SNI Special Initiative on NCDs and Innovation Schedule: Full-time
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal devices system settings. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Special Initiative on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Innovation (SNI) supports Member States in their work to free the WHO European Region from avoidable NCDs. SNI recognizes both the urgency for immediate action as well as the need for a visionary paradigm shift that puts NCDs higher on the political and health agendas for future generations. Therefore, SNI takes a dual-track approach, promoting accelerated progress toward the NCD-related SDG commitments for 2030 (RACE to the Finish) while simultaneously championing the key generational shifts required, to address NCDs within the permacrisis (Vision2050), and achieve a sustainably healthier European Region. SNIs commitment is to support Member States to achieve a healthier population and to close the gap in NCDs including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes that persist within countries and across the Region. SNI is also charged with fostering Innovation in Public Health across the whole of the work of WHO in the European Region (not just for NCDs). SNI promotes an approach to innovation that is forward thinking and agile, institutionalizing innovation and adjusting to meet the changing needs of a vast region facing demographic, societal and environmental shifts, emergencies, and rapid technological advances. The work under this area includes supporting an ecosystem of innovators in health, matching innovative solutions with stated public health needs in countries, and pushing the envelope in trending areas such as the application of artificial intelligence to public health.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

To provide specialist and strategic communication support to the implementation of the WHO/EU Evidence into Action Alcohol Project (EVID-ACTION) project, 2022-2026, enabling successful execution of the assigned components in full compliance with the donor requirements and alignment with the WHO EPW priorities.

Key duties: (EVID-ACTION)

• Produce the strategy and review, align and implement EVID-ACTION Project communications strategy and action plan in line with the objectives and targets of the project and in close coordination with counterparts and partners. Lead on periodic reviews, suggest and implement any adjustments as may be needed and record lessons learned.

• Within the context of the EVID-ACTION project, oversee and provide strategic advice to the Regional Advisor Alcohol, illicit drugs and Prison Health on how to ensure optimal effectiveness, including aligning or developing specific communication tools, products and targeted messages on wok of the project for public and professional groups (policymakers and health professionals, media, web and social media audiences) and the general public.

• Develop and implement selected information/communication campaigns and events on public health and health care within the context of the EVID-ACTION project and other project related areas of WHO work including the preparation and dissemination of messages and written and multimedia materials.

• Review and oversee the national social press and media landscape. Establish and maintain close relations with press and media at national level. Propose and arrange press briefings, conferences, and other press visibility events.

• Identify appropriate platforms and channels to build/strengthen WHO messages and maintain this presence through regular postings and engagement on a variety of platforms and channels, including the web. Develop and provide the content for all such messages/postings. Ensure the appropriate use of the organizational emblem in all communications.

• Provide general communication specialist support and advice to the Regional Advisor on Alcohol, illicit drugs and Prison Health, within the context of the WHO corporate (Global and Regional) communication strategy. Contribute to regional communications strategies and plans, and coordinate/share information as appropriate with the regional communications team on key activities, including capacity-building.

• Carry out other tasks within the scope and remit of this position as required by the supervisors.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS Education

Essential: University degree in communications, public relations or journalism. Also acceptable is a degree in psychology, public health or political and/or social science with post graduate qualification in communications, public relations, or journalism.
Desirable: Advanced university degree in any of the above disciplines.

Experience

Essential: At least five years of professional experience in strategic communications, including developing and implementing communications plans in collaboration with different stakeholders, coordinating communication activities, media relations and targeted messages development. Substantial experience in developing and implementing online communications strategies, including using web and social media.
Desirable: Experience organizing press conferences and briefings. Demonstrated relevant work experience within WHO and/or UN agencies or other international organizations or entities active in the health sector.

Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of WHOs mission and work on alcohol or related areas.
• Demonstrated skill in effectively using a variety of media and press channels and communication tools/platforms to spread health related messages.
• Proven ability to quickly identify opportunities/channels for effective promotion of topics and dissemination of key messages.
• Ability to work comfortably in an international, multi-disciplinary and fast-paced environment.
• Ability to identify and manage ones own emotions, as well as help others to do the same.

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 Russian.

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 64,121 (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 4355 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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• 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 staff. 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. 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.

• WHO also offers 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.

• Please note that WHOs 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHOs operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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