Vacancy Notice No: AFRO/16/TA54
Title: National Professional Officer/Communication
Grade: NO-B
Contract type: Temporary appointment
Duration of contract: Initially for one year
Date: 29 March 2016
Application Deadline: 12 April 2016
(14 day(s) until closing deadline)
Currently accepting applications
Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Organization unit: AF_SSR AF South-East Sub-Region (AF_SSR) /
AF_ETH Ethiopia (AF_ETH)
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME :
i. Provide Public and Media relations services to WCO/Ethiopia for promoting its image
ii. Conceive develop, produce, disseminate and distribute print, visual and audiovisual products on the health priority programmes and activities of WHO to the general Public , partners and WHO staff as appropriate
iii. Provide support for campaign planning and community relations activities
Description of duties:
Under the overall supervision of WHO Representative , the incumbent will perform the following activities:-
– Leads the formulation of coherent short and long term information and communication/public relation plans and strategies to promote an awareness of the objectives and work of WCO/Ethiopia.
- Provides advice to all technical units of the country office on information needs and issues, relations with the media to ensure that WHO messages reach key audiences, existing and potential donors.
- Provides media coverage to health events, gathers on-going information about the organization’s work and results achieved, and document this information for broad internal and external dissemination;
- Builds media database to be used in all aspects of media work; Establish regular contacts with the press/media and build proactive relationship;
- Drafts news releases, Web articles, newsletters and other information materials from WHO activities;
- Develops and implements WHO Ethiopia social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube; initiate, edit and develop content (stories, photos and audio visual material) to regularly maintain and update WHO Ethiopia CO website, social media platforms and Intranet (Ethio Icon) and Internet;
- Develops messages, prepares and supervises the production of publicity leaflets, promotional videos, photographs, films and multimedia programmes; and awareness materials, as well as facts and figures from research studies and reports;
- Represents WHO and participates in UNCG and contributes to identifying new and creative ways to show how UN programmes are delivering results and promoting a coherent image of the UN as delivering as One;
- Facilitates information sessions for partners and media ( press conference, media briefing, interview, etc.) on various issues;
- Writes and edits speeches, declaration and campaign documents, advise on language and content how best to handle politically difficult and sensitive issues and to take a lead role for developing an effective and proactive collaboration with WHO with a view to ensure consistency of approach.
- Works with internal clients to assist dissemination of knowledge products and good practices to support country efforts;
- Responds to routine requests for information from the media or the public and facilitate linkages with the Program Officers on technical questions.
- Fosters community relations through events such as open days and through involvement in community initiatives;
- Supports and organizes exhibitions
- Proposes milestones for events, campaigns, messages and position statements that effectively convey issues to target audiences, at country level to support WHO’s work.
- Fosters and facilitates relationships with a broad range of partners through the development of networks, to ensure that advocacy messages and communications campaigns are disseminated in an effective manner.
- Liaises with and answers enquiries from media, individuals and other organizations, often via telephone and email;
- Develops the communications and advocacy budgets and critically evaluate the communications and advocacy efforts.
- Monitors media in order to alert the WR concerning emerging issues of relevant to WHO and related to its mandate. Analyzes media coverage using available systems
- Implement WHO’s Communications Strategy in Ethiopia
- Implement the Standard Operating Procedures for Communications during emergencies
- Assist in building staff capacity in Communications
- Performs other relevant duties as required.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
ESSENTIAL:
University degree in communication, journalism, international relations, English, social sciences, or related field from recognized higher institution.
DESIRABLE:
Post graduate degree or training in journalism or mass communication
Verification of Educational qualifications:
“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 these will be reviewed individually”.
Skills:
- In-depth knowledge of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. campaign management, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting.
- Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences.
- Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities and risks in an international environment.
- Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships.
- Ability to Keep abreast of available technology; willingness to learn new technology
OTHER SKILLS:
Excellent computer skills. Knowledge of desktop publishing and picture processing software for production of posters and other IEC materials.
COMPETENCIES:
– Communicating in a credible and effective way
– Knowing and managing yourself
– Fostering integration and teamwork
– Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
– Moving forward in a changing environment
Experience:
ESSENTIAL:
At least 2 years of experience in journalism, communication, media or public relations involving public health, policy development with a proven track record in public relations or media.
Experience in web site and social media design, maintaining and updating with current information
DESIRABLE:
Experience in the UN system and or the private sector in the field of information and communication in the health context.
Languages:
Excellent knowledge of English and local language with proven ability to write in a clear and comprehensive manner and communicate in both languages. Additional UN language is an added advantage.
Additional Information:
- Annual remuneration: USD 17,063 Payable in ETB
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted. Please provide your cellphone number and valid e-mail address.
- Applicants within government employment and/or with outstanding obligations will not be considered unless a letter of release is produced.
- Long-listed candidates may be contacted to sit a written test or presentation prior to final short-listing. This does not preclude a written test or presentation prior to final interview.
- Interviews will take place using a competency-based approach.
- Note! That this is a National Professional Officer position. Only applications from nationals of ETHIOPIA will be accepted. Please REFRAIN from applying if you are not ETHIOPIAN NATIONAL
- WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), dependency benefits, pension plan, health insurance scheme, and 30 days annual leave.
- Please visit the following websites for detailed information on working with WHO:
http://www.who.int Click on: . to learn more about WHO’s operations
http://icsc.un.org Click on: Quick Links > Salary Scales > by date
This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level.
A written test and interviews may be used as a form of screening
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO’s e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.