Organization Mission

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7 April 1948, and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The WHO is a member of the United Nations Development Group.

Working with 194 Member States, across six regions, and from more than 150 offices, WHO staff are united in a shared commitment to achieve better health for everyone, everywhere. Together they strive to combat diseases – communicable diseases like influenza and HIV, and noncommunicable diseases like cancer and heart disease. They help mothers and children survive and thrive so they can look forward to a healthy old age. We ensure the safety of the air people breathe.

Context

WHO’s emergency programme aims to prepare the health sector for emergencies and enhance health during and after crises. The emergency response team supports Member States by:
• Assessing health needs and identifying priority causes of ill health and death, preparing dam-age estimates, and ensuring essential health services continue.
• Coordinating and monitoring emergency health relief efforts as the lead agency of the Inter-Agency Standing Committee Health Cluster
• Identifying and filling critical gaps in the health response quickly.
• Strengthening the capacity of national health systems for preparedness, mitigation, and response.

Key Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the EXR/Comms Team Lead, the UNV will be responsible for providing strategic communications support to the WHO Country Office in Somalia, while being based in Nairobi. The tasks may be modified during deployment based upon the evolving needs of WHO Somalia.

The UNV will undertake the following tasks:

Strategic Communications and Planning:
– Contribute to the implementation and monitoring of WHO Somalia’s communications strategy, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and promoting visibility around key public health initiatives, outbreaks, and emergencies.
– Develop and execute communication plans for specific programmes, events, and initiatives to ensure coherent messaging and maximum impact.
– Support the development and finalization of brand and style guides for specific programmes or partnerships, ensuring consistency and adherence to WHO guidelines.

Content Creation and Dissemination:
– Draft, edit, and disseminate a wide range of engaging communication products, including press releases, human-interest stories, social media content, newsletters, web articles, infographics, and multimedia materials.
– Proactively identify and develop compelling content in collaboration with technical teams to showcase programmatic achievements, field-level impact, and success stories.
– Support specialized emergency risk communications, social mobilization, and advocacy plans during public health crises, emergencies, and outbreaks.
– Systematically ensure awareness coverage of the programme”s work and achievements, developing both technical and non-technical content for diverse audiences.

Donor Visibility, Resource Mobilization, and Partnerships:
– Support the development of donor visibility materials such as success stories, videos, and branded products aligned with donor requirements and partnership agreements.
– Assist in organizing donor events, field visits, and stakeholder briefings to highlight the contributions of partners and the impact of their support.
– Monitor and document donor visibility efforts to support reporting, strengthen donor relations, and inform resource mobilization strategies.

Digital, Media, and Platform Management:
– Support the management of WHO Somalia’s digital platforms (website, social media), ensuring timely, consistent, and accurate updates in line with WHO’s communication guidelines.
– Create and schedule social media posts, engage with followers, monitor trends, and track analytics.
– Assist in coordinating media engagement activities, including building long-term relationships with journalists, coordinating inquiries and interviews, and monitoring media coverage.
– Propose risk-mitigation communications based on monitoring of audience perceptions and media trends.

Coordination and Collaboration:
– Serve as a communications focal point for specific programmes or partnerships, liaising with relevant internal and external counterparts.
– Work closely with technical units and field offices to gather information and ensure communications are accurate and impactful.
– In coordination with the relevant regional and headquarters communications teams, optimize the use of communication products to inform donors and other stakeholders.

Required Skills and Experience

– Minimum of 3 years of relevant professional work experience at national and/or international level in external/donor relations, communications, partnerships, programme/project management, and strategic planning.
– Experience working with senior UN and diplomatic officials; and working in the UN or other international development organization are assets;
– Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
– Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing;
– Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
– Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
– Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
– Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.
– Have affinity with or interest in communication and external relations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system

Core Competencies

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Client Orientation
• Commitment and Motivation
• Communication
• Ethics and Values
• Knowledge Sharing
• Planning and organising
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-management
• Working in Teams

Living Conditions

Living in Nairobi offers an exciting experience. Known as the capital of Kenya, the “Safari Capital of the World,” and the “Green City in the Sun,” it has much to offer. For more details on life in Nairobi and Kenya, refer to the UN Relocation Guide for United Nations Secretariat Staff & Families here.

Missions to Somalia differ significantly, involving unique humanitarian operations. They demand high cultural and security awareness, stamina, and commitment. Flexibility and readiness to endure harsh, potentially hazardous conditions with physical hardships and limited comfort are essential.