Communication Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Established on April 7, 1948, WHO's mission is to promote health, keep the world safe, and serve vulnerable populations. The organization operates in over 150 countries and has a workforce of more than 7,000 employees. WHO's Health Emergencies Programme aims to help countries prevent, prepare for, detect, respond to, and recover from health emergencies, including outbreaks and disasters.

Job Overview:
The Communication Officer position is crucial for enhancing WHO's visibility and effectiveness in emergency preparedness and response efforts. The role involves developing and managing communication strategies that align with WHO's objectives, particularly in the context of health emergencies. The officer will be responsible for creating communication materials, managing content for emergency-related websites, and collaborating with various stakeholders to disseminate vital information. This position requires a proactive approach to identify communication opportunities and advocate for WHO's initiatives, ensuring that the organization's achievements are effectively communicated to the public and partners.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Identify and develop media and communication activities related to emergency preparedness and response at the country level.
• Design and disseminate communication materials through various media channels.
• Manage the development of content for emergency-related websites, ensuring compliance with WHO guidelines.
• Co-develop high-quality media tools, including audio-visual and printed materials, to promote WHO's visibility.
• Liaise with press/media to advocate for emergency strategies and organize interviews to highlight WHO's achievements.
• Prepare communication products for the Resource Mobilization team to attract donor funding.
• Collaborate with health cluster partners to create communication campaigns on specific topics.
• Perform other duties as required by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a first university degree in communication, journalism, political science, social sciences, international relations, or a related field. Desirable qualifications include courses in communication techniques such as graphic design and social media usage. Candidates must demonstrate strong writing skills in English and the ability to produce engaging communication materials. Proven experience in developing and implementing communication strategies is also essential, along with excellent interpersonal and presentation skills.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a first university degree in a relevant field such as communication, journalism, or social sciences from an accredited institution. Additional courses in communication techniques are desirable but not mandatory.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience in communication and advocacy at both national and international levels. This experience should include supporting humanitarian emergency or health outbreak response activities. Proven experience in writing advocacy documents and producing communication materials is essential. Desirable experience includes prior work with WHO or UN agencies and experience in organizing advocacy campaigns.

Languages:
Expert knowledge of English is mandatory, while expert knowledge of Arabic is desirable. Proficiency in additional languages may be beneficial but is not required.

Additional Notes:
The position offers a competitive salary starting at USD 70,212 annually, with additional benefits including a variable post adjustment based on the cost of living, 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependents, and an education grant for children. The role may involve mobility to different duty stations as part of WHO's international employment conditions. Candidates are expected to adhere to WHO's ethical standards and commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. The organization has a zero-tolerance policy towards any form of abuse or harassment.