OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The Office of the Regional Director (ORD)providestechnical advice, analyses and monitors the progress of organizationalinitiatives to support the Regional Director in theefficient delivery of his/her mandate and in the provision of effectiveleadership and coordination of the work of WHO in the African Region. This includes partnerships and collaborationwith member states, the UN system, the African Union, internationalorganizations, Regional Economic Committees, development partners, bilateral andmultilateral agencies, Civil Society, and other stakeholders. It is also responsible forcoordinating the preparation of policy, technical and managerial briefs onrelevant health matters to facilitate the decisions of the Regional Directorand monitors compliance in the implementation of specific executive decisionsand recommendations. The Office oversees the work of the Regional Office, WHOCountry Offices in the AFRO region, and the work of the WHO Secretariat withthe Member States, ensuring the coherence and synergies in actions ofcorporate services of Communications (COM), the Transformation AgendaInitiatives (TAI), and the External Relations, Partnerships and GoverningBodies (EPG).

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

The incumbent is assigned the followingduties, including but not limited to: Research and fact-check up-to-date information on a broad range ofsubjects for the Regional Office for Africa. Draft, edit and finalizeup-to-date and accurate speeches, talking points, FAQs and other materials(including op-eds, articles, and contributions to the RD’s Report and otherpublications) for public dissemination;Gather and organize ready to use files on information on possible eventsto enable early response to crisis, such as epidemies and other health-related incidents;Closely collaborate with the Communications Team on all aspects ofresearch target audiences to direct information, articles and publications tofurther understanding of AFRO’s programmes and activities; providesubstantive inputs for proposals and technical presentations to donors andexternal partners; roundtable discussions, and other meetings; oversee theproduction of press releases and other statements for press conferences andbriefing sessions with press; review and clear the content of majorcommunication strategies and materials reflecting on the work of the RegionalDirector to ensure consistency with corporate policies, messaging andinitiatives;Assess a variety of materials with staff throughout the Regional Officeand other offices, as appropriate, checking all supporting data with the mostreliable internal and external sources, as appropriate; researchmaterials of technical, scientific and historical nature for incorporation inthe Director’s speeches, reports and presentations;Proactively promote the elaboration andimplementation of internal and external communications strategies and plans,with emphasis on the consolidation of info/data and formulation of a monthlymessage to COs with updates from HQs to ensure the availability and ongoingupdating of a comprehensive knowledge repository of speeches presentations,advocacy materials for the ORD;Contribute to the strategic thinking andpositioning of WHO/AFRO through the future planning process;Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing andbackstopping, as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: Advanced University degree in Communication, Journalism, International Relations, the Social Sciences, or the Humanities required.
Desirable: Studies or training in Public Health.

Experience

Essential: A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience, in communications and international relations, with a minimum of two years inclusive at the international level and two years inclusive in a country setting, preferably in a health field.
Desirable: Field experience inpublic health programmes in developing countries.

Skills

Demonstrated superior writing skills inEnglish complemented by the ability to adapt to a variety of styles;demonstrated capacity to work under pressure and meet tight deadline. Thorough understanding of public health andinternational development issues, and the ability to quickly process, verifyand communicate about new public health information.Knowledge of the UN system at the country and/orinternational level.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable:
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

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 92,731 (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 4196 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 [email protected]

• 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 [email protected].

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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