Communications Officer, P3

Position description

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

• To increase awareness of WHO Country office’s work in Afghanistan, with special emphasize on key programming, through the design and implementation of a comprehensive communication policy and strategy for the office of the WHO Country Representative;
• To help disseminate relevant findings and lessons learned from international and local initiatives;
• To promote improvements in programs communications design and advocate for policy action;
• To strengthen capacity for effective coordination and communication activities (including relations with the media) during outbreaks and emergencies.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform the following duties:

• Contribute to development of a media and communications strategy for the PEl, in collaboration with UNICEF, the lead agency for PEl communication strategy; and ensure that is aligned with and complements the Global and regional strategies;
• Work closely with the Media and Communications Units in the Regional Office and at HQ to make sure all communication approaches and products are aligned with the Regional and WHO Global standards and are all in compliance with WHO corporate regulations;
• In consultation with senior management, identify and prioritize topics within the work of PEl that should be promoted through media communications and organize all the media events such as press briefings, journalists’ trips, interviews, photo exhibits, etc.
• Support the Unit in producing and compiling reports and contribute to the development of monthly and annual reports;
• Assist the programme in designing and editing publication material;
• Monitor and analyze the news coverage and updates of the country’s mainstream media, particularly in the fields related to health and PEl work, and provide support in preparation of periodical analytical clipping reports;
• Develop WHO messages, media talking points, press releases, position statements, IEC, other communication materials and other types of media supporting documents to facilitate dissemination of PEl messages to the public and other stake holders;
• Contribute to developing country specific training materials and communication guidelines for WHO staff working in PEl and ensure that these are incorporated in WHO global and Regional training curricula, organize and facilitate communication capacity building training programs for the field staff on how to reach out to, and work effectively with, the media to promote the WHO role in PEl.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: University degree in journalism, communications, social sciences or business administration;
• Desirable: Studies or experience-based knowledge of advocacy and communications methods and technique.

Experience

• Essential: At least five (5) years’ experience as a journalist or in a media organization (television, radio and/or print), at national or international level, or in the organization involved ininformation and communications projects and/or tactics related to humanitarian crises and response relief interventions;
• Desirable: Experience in planning and implementing media and communications projects tactics, including the Development of audio and visual materials and tools. Knowledge or understanding of WHO mandate and goals PEl or experience in similar positions in the UN orNGOs.

Skills

• Proven skills in implementation of communications/media products and tactics, including relations with the press and media;
• Excellent interpersonal skills complemented by the ability to conceptualize ideas and promote consensus;
• Ability to work in emergency situation under pressure while producing results;
• Knowledge or sound understanding of the PEl impact of on social and economic development, and its burden on populations;
• Ability to “think out of the box” and to make innovative proposals as related to communication;
• Tact, discretion and diplomacy.

WHO Competencies

• Communication;
• Producing results;
• Moving forward in a changing environment;
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences;
• Teamwork.

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English;
• Desirable: Beginners knowledge of French. Beginners knowledge of Dari. Beginners knowledge of Pashto.

Application instructions

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