Overview

World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

Job Position: Communication Officer

Job Location: Abuja

Job Description

  1. The Communications Unit plays a key role in supporting the WR in the effective delivery of his/her mandate and in the provision of leadership and coordination of the work of WHO in Nigeria, the African Region and globally, particularly with respect to reputation management, health information dissemination, and corporate branding.
  2. The Communications Unit is the lead for development and implementation of the Nigeria country office communications strategy.
  3. The Office prepares communication materials for media, public information documents, Governing Bodies and other partners.
  4. The unit provides guidance, drafting, editing, graphics and design services to the Nigeria country Office Clusters and state Offices.
  5. COM is the lead Unit for interface with the media and for guidance to staff throughout the country on the rules for media engagement as well as issues of copyrights, data privacy or other aspects of AFRO communications.

Job Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Communications Officer and guidance of the WR, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

  1. Conduct media relations in consultation with supervisor, technical units and country office as appropriate this involves proactively pitching stories about key public health issues and the Organization’s work, arranging interviews and responding to requests in an accurate and timely manner
  2. Monitor WHO’s exposure in traditional and social media and produce a daily media monitoring report distributed to staff, including systematic monitoring of pick-up of stories WHO has pitched
  3. Maintain and update the regional media list and profiles of key reporters
  4. Assist with planning and staging news conferences, campaign and advocacy events
  5. Draft, coordinate clearance and support dissemination of communication and advocacy materials
  6. Act as back-up when needed to update the home page of the WHO Nigeria website and social media accounts
  7. Serve as focal point for internal communications in WHO Nigeria, including drafting stories and maintaining the calendar for the WHO Nigeria Intranet and day-to-day coordination of internal social media
  8. Provide support to the Country Representative (WR), cluster leaders and other programme officers in planning and developing relevant information and communications products.
  9. Promote WHO country office work by enhancing WHO visibility through implementation of creative, strategic corporate communications campaign plans, compilation and finalization of theWCO annual report, etc.
  10. Assist with resource mobilization efforts through packaging and disseminating key contributions of country office with outstanding results that foster realization of WHO’s mandate on the website and brochures.
  11. Provide technical support for crisis management (e.g. outbreak response) and empower communication skills for capacity building on strategic communications, interpersonal communication, media programming, public relations and social mapping.
  12. Development of IEC materials and produce visibility materials which included brochures, calendars, banners, posters, factsheets etc. for show casing WHO country office to donors, partners and other stakeholders.
  13. Oversee the design, editorial content of the WHO country office website, ensuring that the website remains relevant and content regularly updated.
  14. Draft press releases, speeches and talking points for WR and ensure print and electronic media coverage for major WHO celebration days and high profile activities
  15. Proactively identify opportunities and liaise with national and international media and, in close liaison with field offices, plan and organize regular and ad-hoc briefings e.g. press conferences, breakfast meetings, report launches and press conferences.
  16. Monitor international and regional media, and regularly update WHO staff of any media coverage relevant to their work.
  17. Facilitate effective internal communication and staff engagement.
  18. Implement other activities as directed by the Communications Officer and WHO Country Representative.

Job Requirements
Education

  1. Essential: A First University Degree in Communication, Journalism, Political Science or International Relations or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.
  2. Desirable: Formal qualification in public health. Courses in communication techniques such as graphic design, visual language and in the use of social media

Experience:
Essential:

  1. At least five years’ related experience in communication and/or advocacy, part of which supporting humanitarian emergency or health outbreak response and recovery activities.
  2. Proven experience in writing advocacy documents and in the production of communication material.

Desirable:

  1. Prior working experience with WHO/UN or with an international non governmental organization.
  2. Experience inorganizing advocacy campaigns. Experience in managing publishing processes

Skills:

  1. Proven skills in the development and implementation of communication/media productsand tactics;
  2. Excellent interpersonal skills complemented by the ability to conceptualize ideas and advocate consensus; Excellent presentation skills;
  3. Ability to “think out of the box” and to make innovative proposals as relatedto communication;
  4. Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals

WHO Competencies:

  1. Teamwork
  2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
  3. Communication
  4. Producing results
  5. Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills:

  • Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Remuneration
Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at NGN28,030,973 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

Application Deadline
15th August, 2023 (10:59:00 PM).

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

  1. This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
  2. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
  3. A written test may be used as a form of screening.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
  7. For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
  8. 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.
  9. 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 are strongly encouraged to apply for WHO jobs.
  10. 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
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
  14. 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.
  15. 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.
  16. This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.
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