Assistant (Communication & Advocacy) Grade: G7

Vacancy Notice No: WPRO/13/FT34 Title: Assistant (Communication & Advocacy) Grade: G7 Contract type: Fixed-Term Appointment Duration of contract:  2 years	Date: 28 January 2013 Application Deadline: 18 February 2013 (19 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Manila, Philippines   Organization unit: WP/RDO Office of the Regional Director (WP/RDO) / WP/PIO Public Information Office (WP/PIO)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : PIO is responsible for communications and advocacy in WPRO. Its overarching objective is to use communications to advance and support WPRO's public health goals.
Description of duties: 1. Liaises with the news media, particularly, arranging news conferences and interviews; drafting media advisories; coordinates the effective distribution of news releases and other communications materials; monitors WHO's exposure to the news media (including social media); 2. Assists with the maintenance, updating and monitoring of the WPRO website and develops materials for it; 3. Assists with the production of various communications and advocacy materials, such as brochures, press kits, flyers, posters; 4. Handles interview requests from the news media and consults about the requests with the supervisor and the appropriate technical departments; 5. Briefs WHO staff members and visitors on WHO public information activities; 6. Maintains the Events Calendar on the WPRO Intranet; 7. Coordinates internal communications in WPRO, including the drafting of articles for the WPRO Intranet and the development of communications strategies for WPRO's observances of public health days, particularly those mandated by the World Health Assembly; 8. Coordinates the production of the annual wall planner; 9. Works with the technical units to plan observances of the public health days identified as priorities by WPRO and the World Health Assembly; 10. Supports the media outreach activities of the country offices in the Western Pacific Region; 11. Assists with the design and implementation of media trainings for WPRO staff; 12. Assists with the planning of news conferences and other media events, with an emphasis on the media activities surrounding the annual regional committee meetings; 13. Helps with the production of multimedia materials for the WPRO website; 14. Performs other related tasks as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Equivalent to graduation from secondary school with specialized and thorough training in journalism, in particular mass media.
Skills:  Thorough knowledge of corporate communications and advocacy techniques. Experience in relations with the news media. Ability to absorb and disseminate information about WHO's policies and programmes. Ability to manage a heavy workload and to multitask under deadline. Ability to operate digital cameras (still and video) and a digital audio recorder. Digital video and audio editing skills. Knowledge of web publishing. Attention to detail. Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team and to adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.
Experience: More than six years of extensive experience in public information, public relations or journalism, preferably with a large international organization. Work experience in other UN agencies is an advantage.
Languages: Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.
Additional Information: Post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the office. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) 653 457 at single rate
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.