Communication Officer at World Health Organization

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the supervision of the Program Management Officer and guidance of the WR, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

1. Conduct media relations in consultation with supervisor, technical units and country office as appropriate this involves proactively pitching stories about key public health issues and the Organization’s work, arranging interviews and responding to requests in an accurate and timely manner.
2. Monitor WHO’s exposure in traditional and social media and produce a daily media monitoring report distributed to staff, including systematic monitoring of pick-up of stories WHO has pitched.
3. Maintain and update the regional media list and profiles of key reporters.
4. Assist with planning and staging news conferences, campaign and advocacy events;
5. Draft, coordinate clearance and support dissemination of communication and advocacy materials;
6. Act as back-up when needed to update the home page of the WHO Kenya website and social media accounts;
7. Serve as focal point for internal communications in WHO Kenya, including drafting stories and maintaining the calendar for the WHO Kenya Intranet and day-to-day coordination of internal social media;
8. Provide support to the Country Representative (WR), cluster leaders and other programme officers in planning and developing relevant information and communications products. 
9. Promote WHO country office work by enhancing WHO visibility through implementation of creative, strategic corporate communications campaign plans, compilation and finalization of the WCO annual report etc.
10. 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. 
11. Provide technical support for crisis management (e.g. outbreak response) and empower communication skills for capacity building on strategic communications, interpersonal communication, media programming, public relations and social mapping.
12. Development of IEC materials and produce visibility materials which included brochures, calendars, banners, posters, factsheets etc. for showcasing WHO country office to donors, partners and other stakeholders.  
13. Oversee the design, editorial content of the WHO country office website, ensuring that the website remains relevant and content regularly updated.
14. 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
15. 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.
16. Monitor international and regional media, and regularly update WHO staff of any media coverage relevant to their work.
17. Facilitate effective internal communication and staff engagement. –
18. Take photographs of key WHO events, activities as well as of key health programmes for use on the country and regional websites as photo stories, as well as on social media.
19. Research and write feature stories and messages, ideally bringing in a human element from real life experiences
20. 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 as graphic design, visual language and in the use of social media.

Experience

Essential: At least two 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 with WHO/UN or with an international nongovernmental organization. Experience in organizing advocacy campaigns. Experience in managing publishing processes.

Skills

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

WHO Competencies

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3. Communication
4. Ensuring the effective use of resources
5. Driving the Organizations Position in Health Leadership

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

Desirable: Expert knowledge of Local Language.

 Feb 24, 2022, 1:59:00 AM