OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The role of the Communications unit is to use communications to increase awareness of health issues, and enhance visibility and engagement with WHO, among media, Member States, donors and other partners, and the general public; and to use communications as a tool for policy advocacy, behaviour change, and building constituencies and partnerships around key public health challenges in WHO’s Western Pacific Region.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Regional Communications Manager and guidance of the Executive Officer, Office of the Regional Director, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Conduct media relations in consultation with supervisor, technical units and country offices, 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 pickup 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 backup when needed to update the home page and media centre of the WPRO website and social media accounts;
7. Serve as focal point for internal communications in WPRO, including drafting stories and maintaining the calendar for the WPRO Intranet and daytoday coordination of internal social media; and
8. Perform other duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Completion of secondary education, with relevant training in journalism/mass media, corporate communications or advocacy.
Desirable: University degree in communications, public relations or marketing.

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World  Higher Education Database (WHE, a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IA/United  Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESC. The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/ . 

Experience

Essential: At least ten years’ experience in communication and advocacy, including media relations, preferably with a large international organization.
Desirable: Experience working in the UN. Experience in campaigns and/or social media.

Skills

• Strong skills in the areas of media relations, corporate communications and advocacy.
• Ability to manage multiple, concurrent tasks, perform under pressure and deliver highquality products on deadline.
• Capacity to research and quickly assimilate large volumes of information, package and disseminate succinct products to meet audiences’ needs.
• Ability to operate multimedia equipment (e.g. video and still cameras and audio recorders, iPhone, etc.) and proficiency in MS Office software (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlooas well as web and social media platforms.
• Ability to create and nurture relationships with key stakeholders including the media.
• Attentive to detail and able to quickly learn new skills.
• Good organizational skills and ability to work unsupervised.
• Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct.

WHO Competencies Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: whoenhancedcompetence.pdf

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of written and spoken English.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of another UN Language.

REMUNERATION

WHO offers staff in the General Services category an attractive remuneration package, which for the above position includes an annual net base salary starting at PHP 1,095,086 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicabland 30 days of annual leave.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level

• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

• A written test and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.

• 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(/diploma(/certificate(required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHE, a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IA/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESC. 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.

• 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.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• 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 socioeconomic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.

• 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 (https://www.who.int/careers/diversityequityandinclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.

• 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

• 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.

• WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SE, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassmen. 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.

• WHO has a smokefree environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

• For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.

• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy worklife balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.

• 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.

• Please note that WHO’s contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SH. The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Countryspecific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccinationrelated queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.

• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.

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