Communication Officer at World Health Organization (WHO)

World Health Organization (WHO) is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Communication Officer

Ref No: 2307268
Location: Abuja
Job Schedule: Full-time
Organization: World Health Organization and Other Entities
Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 1 Year
Grade: NO-C

Objectives of the Programme

• The Communications Unit plays a key role in supporting the WR in the effective delivery of his/her mandate and in the provision of leadership and coordination of the work of WHO in Nigeria, the African Region and globally, particularly with respect to reputation management, health information dissemination, andcorporate branding.
• The Communications Unit is the lead for development andimplementation of the Nigeria country office communications strategy.
• The Office prepares communication materials for media, public informationdocuments, Governing Bodies and other partners.
• The unit provides guidance,drafting, editing, graphics and design services to the Nigeria country OfficeClusters and state Offices.
• COM is the lead Unit for interface with the mediaand for guidance to staff throughout the country on the rules for media engagement as well as issues of copyrights, data privacy or other aspects of AFRO communications.

Description of Duties
Under the supervision of the Communications Officerand guidance of the WR, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Conduct media relations inconsultation with supervisor, technical units and country office as appropriatethis involves proactively pitching stories about key public health issues andthe Organization's work, arranging interviews and responding to requests in anaccurate and timely manner
• Monitor WHO's exposure intraditional and social media and produce a daily media monitoring report distributed to staff, including systematic monitoring of pick-up of stories WHO has pitched
• Maintain and update the regional media list and profiles of key reporters
• Assist with planning and staging news conferences, campaign and advocacy events
• Draft, coordinate clearance and support dissemination of communication and advocacy materials
• Act as back-up when needed to update the home page of the WHO Nigeria website and social media accounts
• Serve as focal point forinternal communications in WHO Nigeria, including drafting stories andmaintaining the calendar for the WHO Nigeria Intranet and day-to-day coordination of internal social media
• Provide support to theCountry Representative (WR), cluster leaders and other programme officers inplanning and developing relevant information and communications products.
• Promote WHO country officework by enhancing WHO visibility through implementation of creative, strategic corporate communications campaign plans, compilation and finalization of theWCO annual report, etc.
• Assist with resource mobilization efforts through packaging and disseminating key contributions of country office with outstanding results that foster realization of WHO's mandate on the website and brochures.
• Provide technical support for crisis management (e.g. outbreak response) and empower communication skillsfor capacity building on strategic communications, interpersonal communication, media programming, public relations and social mapping.
• Development of IEC materials and produce visibility materials which included brochures, calendars, banners, posters, factsheets etc. for show casing WHO country office to donors, partners and other stakeholders.
• Oversee the design,editorial content of the WHO country office website, ensuring that the website remains relevant and content regularly updated.
• Draft press releases,speeches and talking points for WR and ensure print and electronic media coverage for major WHO celebration days and high profile activities
• Proactively identify opportunities and liaise with national and international media and, in close liaison with field offices, plan and organize regular and ad-hoc briefings e.g. press conferences, breakfast meetings, report launches and press conferences.
• Monitor international and regional media, and regularly update WHO staff of any media coverage relevant to their work.
• Facilitate effectiveinternal communication and staff engagement.
• Implement other activities as directed by the Communications Officer and WHO Country Representative.

Required Qualifications
Education

• Essential: A First University Degree in Communication, Journalism, Political Science or International Relations or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.
• Desirable: Formal qualification in public health. Courses in communication techniques such asgraphic design, visual language and in the use of social media

Experience:
Essential:

• At least five years'related experience in communication and/or advocacy, part of which supporting humanitarian emergency or health outbreak response and recovery activities.
• Proven experience in writing advocacy documents and in the production of communication material.

Desirable:

• Prior working experience withWHO/UN or with an international non governmental organization.
• Experience inorganizing advocacy campaigns. Experience in managing publishing processes

Skills:

• Proven skills in the development and implementation of communication/media productsand tactics;
• Excellent interpersonal skills complemented by the ability to conceptualize ideas and advocate consensus;Excellent presentation skills;
• Abilityto "think out of the box" and to make innovative proposals as relatedto communication;
• Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals

WHO Competencies:

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing results
• Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond

Use of Language Skills:

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Remuneration
Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at NGN28,030,973 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

Application Closing Date
15th August, 2023 (10:59:00 PM).