Mission and objectives

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations Public Health Organization established in 1948. The objective of the World Health Organization shall be the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. World Health Organization achieves its goals by performing its essential functions: 1. Take a leadership role in key health issues and create partnerships when joint action is needed; 2. Set research priorities and encourage the acquisition, application and dissemination of useful knowledge; 3. Setting standards and criteria and encouraging and monitoring them; 4. Develop ethical and evidence-based policies 5. Provide technical support, be an agent of change and build institutional capacity in a sustainable way; 6. Monitor health status and assess health trends.

Context

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations Public Health Organization established in 1948. The objective of the World Health Organization shall be the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health. World Health Organization achieves its goals by performing its essential functions: 1. Take a leadership role in key health issues and create partnerships when joint action is needed; 2. Set research priorities and encourage the acquisition, application and dissemination of useful knowledge; 3. Setting standards and criteria and encouraging and monitoring them; 4. Develop ethical and evidence-based policies 5. Provide technical support, be an agent of change and build institutional capacity in a sustainable way; 6. Monitor health status and assess health trends. For this UNV Assignment, only female candidates from the African continent are eligible to apply as the assignment is part of African Women Health Champions Initiative, Regional Director’s flagship initiative to diversify WHO workforce in terms of gender, age, geographical representation and language.

Task Description

In the context of WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work (GPW) and its triple-billion strategy, the incumbent will support communications activities at the Regional Office. Key deliverables include accurate and timely production and dissemination of high-quality public information products which highlight WHO and partners work on the ground, promoting achievements and results of key public health initiatives and building contacts with the press/media and key partners and optimizing networking opportunities. The incumbent will work with colleagues in the Regional Office to ensure WHO’s work and health issues gain visibility among partners, the public, the media and other key stakeholders. Specific tasks include: • Support the running of the WHO Communications studio by ensuring proper functioning and maintenance of equipment; • Record video interviews and messages in the studio and via zoom and sometimes externally; • Edit video footage including expert interviews, short social videos from footage received from countries ; • Archive footage and maintain the video archives of WHO AFRO. Occasionally film video stories; • Take photos of meetings and events; • Maintain and expand a list of photographers and videographers in the region and help recruit and contract them for shoots in countries ; • Any other work that supports the communications needs of the WHO AFRO Communications Unit.

Competencies and values

Communication; Teamwork; Moving forward in a changing environment; Promoting innovation and organizational learning; Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences.

Living conditions and remarks

The Republic of Congo is a low-middle income country, located in Central Africa sub-region. The country shares boundaries with Gabon in the South-West, Cameroon and Central Republic Africa in the North and Northeast, the Democratic Republic of Congo in the East, Angola and Atlantic Ocean in the South. Since 2014, the Republic of Congo is experiencing an economic downturn, affecting the economic growth (-5 per cent in 2017). Because of the persistent drop in the price of oil, this situation drove to the decline of the gross domestic product per capita, from $3,196 in 2013 to $1,658 in 2017. Nevertheless, the country is globally stable and safe in the main urban and rural areas. Frequent disruptions are recorded in the electricity supply, particularly in Brazzaville (political capital) and Pointe-Noire (economic capital). The living cost is relatively affordable, but some concerns with the cost of decent housing should be noted. The population enjoys dressing in style and loves music both profane and religious. According to United Nations security standards, life and travel in Brazzaville and in the other areas major are secure. The Republic of Congo is a unique country. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements