OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

In the context of WHO’s 13th General Programme of Work (GPW) and its triple-billion strategy, the incumbent will play a key role in supporting the WHO Representative in the effective delivery of his/her mandate and in the provision of leadership and coordinationof the work of WHO in Kenya, particularly with respect to external communications in the context WHO at the country level. The incumbent will develop and implement an external communications strategy for the country office, which includes media relations, multimedia content development for country, regional and globalplatforms, online and social media management, and producing a wide range of written material to support country communications, including, but not limited to, newsletters, reports, briefing notes, and talking points. The incumbent will support the overall and day-to-day external communication activities to secure visibility for the work of WHO in Kenya.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

With excellent skills in communication, media relations and content production, and incollaboration with other clusters of the WHO Country Office, the WHO Regional Office for Africa, the Ministry of Health and collaborating partners, the communications officer will fulfil the following duties:Develop, implement and evaluate the WHO country office communications strategy and evaluate the country office annual plan for communication activities.In collaboration with WHO country office staff and regional office communications department, produce communication material and media tools, including written stories, photographs,video and other audio-visual and print material, for inclusion in country,regional and headquarters reports, websites, brochures and other communications products.Maintain WHO country office presence through regular posts and engagement on social media platforms and channels, including the web.Develop and provide the content for all such messages/posts and ensure theappropriate use of the WHO branding in all communications. Review the national media landscape. Develop close relations with press and media at national level. Propose and arrange press briefings, conferences, and other press visibility events. Conduct regular monitoringof media; produce summary for WR and respond to local and international media enquiries.Provide external communications support to the WR’shigh-level political advocacy, including country visits, conferences, meetings and other events. Provide editorial support to produce country office publications, including annual and quarterly reports, as required.Conduct regular communications training and/or briefings for WHO staff members and provide information and communication support onmajor public health interventions and events. Represent WHO’s communications function with other stakeholders, including Ministry of Health, UN agencies other health partners.Perform other related responsibilities as may be assigned by the supervisor/s.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: University degree in Communication, Journalism and Public relations, Marketing, or other related disciplines
Desirable: Certificate in Graphic Design and Knowledge in social media applications.

Experience

Essential: Have at least two years ‘experiencein Communications, Marketing, Journalism and or Public Relations.
Desirable: Experience in UN or nongovernmental organizations. Experience working with the Ministry of Health and/or development partners.

Skills

Demonstrated knowledge of WHO’s mission and work in the country.Demonstrated experience in effectively using a variety of media channels and communication tools/platforms to communicate at a national level.Proven ability to quickly identify opportunities/channels for effective promotion of topics and dissemination of key messages at national level.Strong interpersonal, communication, writing, and reporting skills.Ability to make innovative proposals related to communication and the Organization’s visibility with tact, discretion and diplomacy

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

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

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 50,377 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 1738 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

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

The 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 can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int

• 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.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• 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 shws@who.int.

• 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.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

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