Communications Officer

The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: HQ/14/DGD/TA3 Title: Communications Officer Grade: P3 Contract type: Temporary appointment Duration of contract:  1 year	Date: 16 January 2014 Application Deadline: 6 February 2014 (12 day(s) until closing deadline) Currently accepting applications Duty Station:  Geneva, Switzerland   Organization unit: HQ/DGD Offices under the Director-General (HQ/DGD) / HQ/DCO Department of Communications (HQ/DCO) HQ/CCB Communications Capacity Building (HQ/CCB)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : The Department of Communications (DCO) objectives are to: - ensure timely production and dissemination of high quality public information on longstanding and emerging public health issues through various platforms (print, web, broadcast, social media etc) and in multiple languages; - define and promote a consistent corporate identity for WHO internally and externally; - create a 21st century "culture of communications" at WHO by strengthening communications capacity at every level; - contribute to managing WHO's reputation by monitoring public opinion and concerns, and responding to them strategically; and - lead the strategic communications response to epidemics and pandemics, public health emergencies and for the health aspects of humanitarian crises.
Description of duties: Reporting to the Coordinator, Communications Capacity Building Team: 1. Project manage WHO's communications training work: - Coordinate communications capacity building and training programme in close consultation with team Coordinator, and relevant WHO regional focal points; - Establish a system to regularly review learning needs of HQ, regional office and country office staff. - Develop a schedule of training in close consultation with regional offices and HQ and oversee their implementation; - Organize training of trainers, run refresher courses for existing trainers and manage the pool of internal and external trainers who can be deployed as needed; - Develop and nurture a network of experts, institutes and consultants who can support the trainings. - Monitor and evaluate the outcomes of the communications training programme and explore ways to link training to performance management and assessment; - Assist with the development of funding proposals as needed and help the team Coordinator to mobilize resources needed for training and project manage as needed; - Coordinate the development of learning material, resources, references and tools; - Facilitate trainings when needed and act as a resource person. 2. Focal point for cluster/department: - Act as the liaison between technical departments as assigned, and the central communications team, regularly attending departmental meetings; - Proactively keep abreast of success stories and upcoming events and other potentially significant developments in the departments covered. This could range from the launch of new guidelines, to announcement of scientific findings and other topics or issues that are important to or affect the reputation of the Organization; - Keep up to date on latest public health developments in the area of work assigned to as focal point; - Ensure communications plans and strategies are developed for events as needed; - Ensure that talking points and written products are created and oversee clearance process; - Contribute to the writing products for the cluster and/or department as needed; - Work with technical staff in departments/clusters to identify success stories and other content that could be developed for both off- and online dissemination; 3. Contribute to communications surge capacity: - Work as part of WHO emergency communications teams as needed during humanitarian or public health emergencies and be deployed to the field as needed; - Other duties as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: University degree in communications, or education, or management, or social sciences, or related field. For WHO staff please see e-manual III.4.1, para 220. Desirable: Training or experience in public health, or in adult learning, or facilitation, or project management is an advantage.
Skills:  Excellent communications and warm and engaging interpersonal skills. Impeccable organizational and coordination skills. Excellent knowledge of adult learning theory and practice, learning material development, and learning evaluation. Excellent facilitation skills. Ability to communicate with respect and tact. Ability to work with interdisciplinary and multicultural teams. Ability to use electronic databases and other work flow management tools and platforms. Ability to establish and nurture teams for key projects. Good understanding of project management. Ability to write funding proposals. Knowledge of WHO structure and function at the three levels of the Organization. WHO Competencies: Communicating in a credible and effective way Producing results Moving forward in a changing environment Creating an empowering and motivating environment
Experience: Essential: At least 5 years' combined experience in one or any number of the following areas: communications, or project management, or network management or training adults. Desirable: Experience managing projects, or working in the health sector, especially in international settings an asset.
Languages: Expert knowledge of English required. Intermediate knowledge of French or other UN official language an asset.
Additional Information: A written test may be used for screening purposes. Other similar positions at the same grade level may be filled from this vacancy notice. This vacancy is published in English only. Priority will be given to internal candidates.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) USD 56091 at single rate USD 60091 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 103.3 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
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.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.