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Qualifications

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Programme is part of and contributes to the work of the Universal Health Coverage/Communicable and Non-communicable diseases (UHC/UCN) cluster in the WHO African region. The strategic agenda of the cluster is to reduce disease burden in the WHO African Region, by guiding disease control agenda in Africa, and using analytics to inform strategic investments and tailored interventions for disease control.

The incumbent would be positioned within the Regional Office communications team, serving as liaison specifically to the Universal health coverage/Communicable and non-communicable diseases (UHC/UCN) cluster. The strategic agenda of the cluster is extremely broad. The cluster seeks to reduce disease burden in the WHO African Region, by guiding disease control agenda in Africa, and using analytics to inform strategic investments and tailored interventions for disease control, thus contributing through its country support investments to 3 disease control
outcomes at country-level: improved disease programme governance; improved interventions coverage; and improved services quality. Investments towards these outcomes are guided by comprehensive whole of society, people-centred, integrated approaches to disease control.
The comprehensive whole of society approach entail investments around: (a) coherent implementation of triple response – technical response: implementing diseases specific normative guidance, promoting intervention mixes and deploying medical commodities; health systems response: building capacities of district service delivery systems in disease mapping and stratification, interventions tailoring, and sector/subsector planning; and multi-sectoral response: addressing socio-economic and environmental determinants of diseases through mobilizing non-health sectors, communities and stakeholders; (b) disease control partnership of public and private sectors, health and non-health sectors; and (c) community involvement in targeted high risk communities, focused on managing determinants of diseases, health services demand creation and accountability by local health stewards. The people centred, integrated approaches to disease control involves investments around(a) integrated guidance on disease control for each health service delivery platform, a move away from stand-alone disease specific guidance; and (b) integrated and efficient disease control investments in strengthening the capacity of appropriate health services delivery platforms through deployment of appropriate technologies and analytics to guide stratification of disease risks across population groups in order to develop and deploy comprehensive packages of interventions appropriate for each population group and health service delivery platform, as well as monitor population access, coverage and impact to leave no one behind.

The Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPD) Non-Communicable Diseases Programme is part of and contributes to the work of the UCN cluster. The incumbent would have a particular focus on this part of the cluster, while at the same time serving the broad range of activities of the region and cluster as a whole.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is assigned the following responsibilities:

•    Implement a communications strategy, in alignment with the overall Regional Office communications strategy and in the context of the overall vision and mission of the UCN cluster, as outlined in the UCN document: Ending disease in Africa: vision, strategies and special initiatives: 2023-2030.
•    Produce communications products required by the VPD programme and the UCN cluster, including, but not limited to:
–   Repurposing of technical documents/key reports into social media products (tweets, Facebook, Instagram etc.)
–    Repurposing of technical documents/key reports into poster presentations, flyers, banners, website updates, press releases and so on.

–    Produce specific communications products around health days, in collaboration with the appropriate UCN programmes, including press releases, video stories, video interviews, website updates and social media products.
–    Manage social media campaigns around publications in peer reviewed journals (including moderating tweets, Facebook posts etc.)

•    Produce material for meetings including, but not limited to:
–    Generic banners, posters, flyers for the UCN Cluster including the VPD Programme and other programmes.
–    Banners, posters, flyers focused on the specific theme of the meeting in collaboration with the specific programmes

•    Develop regular newsletters, bulletins from the UCN cluster and VPD programme, providing outward facing updates on activities in the cluster and its programmes for dissemination to the wider public health community, partners, donors and other stakeholders in the region.

•    Develop and coordinate regularly updated non-technical disease bulletins from the cluster, in coordination with the VPD team lead and other UCN staff.

•    Review and update the WHO AFRO website, UCN content area, including engaging with web designers as necessary, with a focus on the VPD area, but extending to other, complementary programmes as well.

•    Work closely with graphic designers to develop appropriate UCN/programme branding for all UCN and VPD communication products, in alignment with Regional Office communication policy.

•    Oversee and mentor UN Volunteers and other more junior communications staff as necessary.

•    Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in communication, journalism, internal relations, political or social science, or related field.

Desirable: Advanced degree in communications, journalism, internal relations, political or social science, or related field.

Experience

Essential: At least 5 years’ experience as a communication officer at national or international level, and/or communication officer in a large non-governmental or international organization, involving information and communications projects and/or strategies on public health subjects.

Desirable: Experience in public health communication, experience writing press releases, feature articles, developing newsletters, social media releases, communication materials for meetings etc.

Skills

Thorough knowledge of the principles, techniques and practices of communications development and ability to work in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
•    Strong interpersonal, representational and organizational skills, with proven ability to facilitate and strengthen the role of communications in promoting the work and progress in the UCN cluster and the VPD programme in particular.
•    Excellent analytical and writing skills and the ability to repurpose technical and scientific documents into outward facing communication products for a wide range of audiences.
•    Proven skills in the development and implementation of communication/media products and tactics.
•    Excellent interpersonal skills complemented by the ability to conceptualize ideas and promote and communicate these.
•    Integrity, tact and discretion and the ability to work and achieve multiple goals under pressure.
•    Sound understanding of the public health impact of VPDs on social and economic development, and their burden on populations.
•    Ability to “think out of the box” and to make innovative proposals as related to communication of VPD priorities, as well as overall UCN cluster priorities.
•    Good knowledge of WHO mandate and goals in the VPD-related area of work and and understanding of VPD control management is an asset.

WHO Competencies

•    Teamwork
•    Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
•    Communication in a credible and effective way
•    Producing results
•    Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English or French.
Desirable: Working knowledge of other UN official languages.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 64,121 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2095 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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.
•    If your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). 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.
•    Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
•    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 socio-economic 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/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) 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 (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). 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.
•    Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
•    WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life 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 (SHW). 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. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
•    WHO has a smoke-free 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.
•    *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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