Communication Officer

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Communication Officer
Location: Ouagadougou
Country: Burkina Faso
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

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 work is guided by the principles of equity, inclusiveness, and respect for human rights, aiming to ensure that everyone can attain the highest possible level of health.

Job Overview:
The Communication Officer will be responsible for ensuring the timely production and dissemination of high-quality public information on long-standing and emerging public health issues through various platforms, including print media, web, broadcasting, and social media, primarily in French. The role involves contributing to the reputation management of WHO Burkina Faso by monitoring public opinion and concerns and responding strategically. The officer will develop a balanced communication strategy and plan, identify topics of interest for advocacy and communication activities, and ensure the accurate and timely production of public information products to highlight WHO's actions on the ground, including donor visibility. The officer will engage with technical experts within the organization to promote WHO's work, objectives, and achievements, and will liaise with a wide range of media contacts and stakeholders to support mass vaccination campaigns.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communication Officer will undertake a variety of tasks, including promoting effective communication strategies to ensure the visibility of WHO Burkina Faso's actions and results through public platforms. The officer will identify topics of interest to enhance media and communication activities related to WHO's efforts in Burkina Faso. Responsibilities include designing communication strategies, plans, materials, and tools based on WHO's global and regional guidelines; ensuring the rapid dissemination of information to all target audiences; liaising with the press and media to promote and disseminate information about WHO activities; organizing interviews and filming opportunities to enhance visibility; supporting the development and updating of the country website content; researching and producing reports and messages that incorporate real-life experiences; preparing communication and advocacy products for resource mobilization; collaborating with various stakeholders to identify communication opportunities and prepare campaigns on specific topics; and performing any other related tasks assigned by the functional supervisor. Expected results include producing speeches and talking points for the WHO Representative, timely press reviews on public health emergencies, technical support for risk communication and community engagement, planning and coordinating press conferences and media coverage, producing press releases on emergency activities, and creating impactful stories and multimedia content for WHO's digital platforms.

Required Qualifications:
Essential qualifications include a first university degree in communication, journalism, political science, international relations, or a related field from an accredited institution. Desirable qualifications include courses in communication techniques such as graphic design, visual language, and social media usage, as well as training in photography and video shooting. Candidates should possess essential skills such as teamwork, respect for cultural differences, credible communication, adaptability to changing environments, and result-oriented mindset. Functional skills include proven abilities in editorial and multimedia content development, management of institutional social media networks, excellent interpersonal skills, innovative communication proposals, and self-discipline for independent and team work. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with graphic design software and website development are also required.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a first university degree in communication, journalism, political science, international relations, or a related field from an accredited institution. Additional training in communication techniques, graphic design, and social media is desirable.

Experience:
Candidates should have at least two years of practical and relevant experience in institutional communication, journalism, or related fields. Experience in managing social media and producing high-quality professional videos is essential. Desirable experience includes previous work with WHO or a UN agency, experience in resource mobilization document production, managing web pages and social media, and proven skills in video shooting and editing.

Languages:
Fluency in French is essential, while practical knowledge of English is desirable.

Additional Notes:
The Communication Officer will be based in the WHO office in Burkina Faso and may be required to travel nationally, regionally, or globally as needed. The position offers a daily fee equivalent to the UN NO-B salary scale in Burkina Faso, amounting to XOF 56,06

• The contract duration is six months under a Special Services Agreement (SSA). This vacancy notice may also be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted, and a written test may be used as part of the screening process. Candidates selected for interviews must provide scanned copies of their required educational qualifications in advance. WHO is committed to workforce diversity and encourages applications from women and nationals of underrepresented Member States. The organization maintains a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or tobacco users. WHO has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, and other forms of abusive conduct.