OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The position of External Relations and Communications Officer (NO-B) aims to strengthen the World Health Organization’s (WHO) engagement with external stakeholders, enhance institutional visibility, and expand fundraising capacity in Cabo Verde. This role is structured around two main pillars. In the area of External relations, which includes Partnerships and Resource Mobilization, the officer is responsible for mapping and analyzing the local landscape of donors and partners, developing and negotiating partnership proposals aligned with WHO’s Country Cooperation Strategy and national health priorities, drafting concept notes, project proposals, and donor reports in accordance with WHO and partner standards, and monitoring and reporting donor contributions to ensure transparency and impact visibility. The officer facilitates institutional dialogue with government, UN agencies, civil society, and the private sector, ensures cultural and political sensitivity in all partnership and communication efforts, and prepares briefing and support materials for high-level meetings and donor engagements.In the Communications and Advocacy pillar, the role involves planning and executing communication strategies to promote WHO’s work, advance health issues in Cabo Verde and attract partner support, producing tailored content such as press releases, success stories, and social media updates, documenting and sharing impact stories that highlight partner contributions, in newsletters and annual reports and training staff in partner-sensitive communication approaches

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent will perform all or part of the following duties:External Relations; Partnerships & Resource MobilizationFacilitate dialogue and engagement with government, UN agencies, donors, civil society, and private sector partners.Ensure cultural sensitivity and alignment with national political and development contexts in all partnership and communication activities.Prepare briefing documents, talking points, and reports for high-level meetings and donor engagement.Map and analyze the local partnerships and donor landscape, identifying synergies and opportunities.Provide support to develop and implement a WCO resource mobilization strategy.Support the development and negotiation of partnership and funding proposals, ensuring alignment with WHO’s Country Cooperation Strategy and national health priorities.Draft concept notes, project proposals, and donor reports in compliance with WHO and partner requirements.Maintain and update the office’s database of partners, donors, and resource mobilization intelligence.Support monitoring and reporting of donor contributions, ensuring accountability and visibility of results. Communications & AdvocacyDevelop and implement communication strategies and campaigns to enhance WHO’s visibility and advocacy in support of partnerships and fundraising.Produce communication products (press releases, success stories, presentations, social media content, website updates, newsletters, annual reports) tailored for partners and stakeholders.Document and disseminate program achievements and impact stories that showcase the value of partner contributions.Monitor and analyze stakeholders’ perceptions of WHO, recommending risk-mitigation and communication strategies.Provide guidance and training to staff on partner-sensitive communication approaches.Develop health promotion communication content to raise awareness of evidence-based health interventions in Cabo Verde

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A first University degree in international relations, communications, political science, public health, social sciences, and related field.
Desirable: Training in resource mobilization, donor relations, public health, or communication techniques such as graphic design, visual language and in the use of social media.

Experience

Essential: At least 2 years’ experience in communications, partnerships, resource mobilization, and related fields.Proven experience in writing and producing communications materials.
Desirable: Experience with major donors and partners in the health sector; experience in program/project management at the national level.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of partnerships, external relations, and resource mobilization.Strong skills in communication, media, and stakeholder engagement.Proven ability to draft proposals, reports, and donor communication products.Knowledge of national political, social, and cultural dynamics.Proficiency in digital communication tools and platforms.Excellent interpersonal skills complemented by the ability to conceptualize ideas and advocate consensusKnowledge or understanding of the WHO mandate and goals in the emergency incident management context

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Moving forward in a changing environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of Portuguese.
Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at CVE 3,199,724 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

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.

• In the event that 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.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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.

• 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 may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to [email protected] with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 [email protected].

• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.

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