Job Description
Advisor, Public Affairs
World Health Organization
Washington, DC
Grade: P4
Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): Two years, first year probationary period. Post of limited duration.
:
Job Posting: Nov 2, 2020, 2:06:36 PM
Closing Date: Nov 23, 2020, 4:59:00 PM
Primary Location: United States-Washington, D.C.
Organization: Communications
Schedule: Full-time
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.
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OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT
This requisition is for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)
The objective of the Department of Communications (CMU) of the Pan American Health Organization is to lead in the development, implementation and management of PAHO’s corporate communication strategy at all levels, internally and externally, within a complex range of media outlets and platforms and media relations and a 24/7 information cycle. Corporate communication is essential to PAHO’s mission and strategic priorities and the advancement of the principles and practices of communication in support of sound public health principles and practices and PAHO’s mission in the delivery of technical cooperation in the Region of the Americas. As the lead multilateral health organization in the Region of the Americas and globally recognized, PAHO’s communication must be “best in class” utilizing the necessary leadership, strategies, approaches, tools and technologies in support of PAHO’s roles and responsibilities across a multiplicity of languages, cultures, and political dynamics, with a keen focus on public health, science and evidence.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Under the general supervision of the Deputy Director (DD) and the direct supervision of the Director of Communications (CMU), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:
Lead the Public Affairs team in strategic and operational planning, budgeting and reporting procedures, in compliance with established guidelines and schedules for their completion and submission;
Plan, develop and implement the Organization’s strategy, plans and projects for news media coverage; establish and maintain effective working relationships with journalists and news agencies to ensure the best possible cooperation with the Organization; promote coverage of public health in general so as to place health in the forefront of the public agenda;
Lead and coordinate the Public Affairs team in its work with other CMU teams, focal points at HQ entities and country offices to plan, produce and disseminate key remarks, messages, narratives, stories, press releases, Op-Eds, media notes and advisories, talking points, statements, fact sheets, video scripts, campaign materials and other content for health ministries, donors, partners, the news media, general public and other audiences;
Plan, coordinate and direct the output and dissemination of the Organization’s key messages, narratives, stories and public information products, while ensuring their accuracy and news value to build and retain public trust in PAHO as a trusted and unrivalled authority on public health throughout the Americas;
Provide strategic advice, mentoring and capacity-building to PAHO leaders and entities, especially during reputational crises and health emergencies that require authoritative, strategic and expedient management of public- and media-facing communications;
Advise and assist the CMU Director in the allocation and performance monitoring of financial, human, and physical resources that are allocated to the Public Affairs team for delivery of the entity’s BWP;
Provide close and consistent supervision and mentoring to staff and contingent workers of the Public Affairs team, in order to achieve and advance individual and collective productivity and performance across all areas of their respective plans and work;
Contribute team knowledge, skills and time to the production and dissemination of relevant CMU toolkits, I-learn courses, materials and workshops, to enable and embed organizational knowledge and skills in key areas of strategic communications;
Act as CMU Advisor to Country Offices and their communications focal points as part of a larger strategy to ensure coherence across the Region, and strong links between Country Offices and Headquarters;
Provide strategic, informed and timely guidance to the CMU Director, CMU teams and collaborating entities as/when appropriate on important arising issues, opportunities and innovative approaches for communicating the Organization’s mission, programs and achievements in a timely, effective and creative basis, via the Website, social media platforms and news media outlets;
Plan and develop strategies for the organization of special events and participation in these events with other entities within the Organization and with outside agencies; organize seminars, lectures, and exhibits on major issues and events of concern relevant to the program of work of the Organization;
Supervise staff of the Team; provide training, advice, and guidance on issues arising from the day-to-day activities; provide leadership, guidance and monitoring of staff through the setting of clear work objectives, timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, regular communication, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts; establish and support a learning environment;
Collaborate and contribute to the preparation of the Unit’s Biennial Work Plan (BWP), budget and technical evaluation reports;
Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Essential: A bachelor’s and a master’s degree in journalism, media communications, public relations, policy communications, political science, or in any of the areas related to the functions of the position, from a recognized university.
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/. PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation http://www.chea.org and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator to support the validation process.
Experience:
Essential: Nine years of combined national and international experience in public information, mass media communications and/or journalism.
SKILLS:
PAHO Competencies:
Overall attitude at work: Maintains integrity and takes a clear ethical approach and stance; demonstrates commitment to the Organization’s mandate and promotes the values of the Organization in daily work and behavior; is accountable for work carried out in line with own role and responsibilities; is respectful towards, and trusted by, colleagues and counterparts.
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences: Relates well to diversity in others and capitalizes on such diversity. Treats all people with dignity and respect. Relates well to people with different cultures, gender, orientations, backgrounds and/or positions; examines own behavior to avoid stereotypical responses; considers issues from the perspective of others and values their diversity.
Teamwork: Works collaboratively with team members and counterparts to achieve and build rapport; helps others when asked; accepts joint responsibility for the team’s successes and shortcomings.
Communication: Foresees communication needs of audience and targets message accordingly. Facilitates open communication; encourages others to share their views openly and takes time to understand and consider their views. Writes down ideas in a clear, structured, logical and credible way; drafts and supports the development of guidelines, policies and procedures. Shares relevant information openly and ensures that the shared information is understood; considers knowledge sharing as a constructive working method and demonstrates awareness of the Organization.
Creating an empowering and motivating environment: Manages individual and group projects and ensures that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clearly defined, understood and accepted; delegates work appropriately to achieve best results.
Producing Results: Monitors own and others’ work in a systematic and effective way, ensuring required resources and outputs. Aligns projects with Organization’s mission and objectives. Consistently solves own and team’s problems effectively as needed. Proactively engages in projects and initiatives, accepting demanding goals, in line with Organizational Strategies and Program of Work. Demonstrates accountability for work of team and sets an example, while explicitly articulating lessons learnt for own and team’s benefit.
Moving forward in a changing environment: Actively supports Organizational change initiatives and demonstrates personal commitment to them, including when faced with new demands; proposes workable solutions to challenging situations. Engages in positive responses to a changing environment and promotes workable solutions to achieve own and team’s results. Welcomes, and actively seeks to apply, new ideas, approaches and working methods and technologies in order to improve own and/or team’s work processes and results; demonstrates commitment to Organizational change initiatives.
Ensuring effective use of resources: Sets specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely objectives for own team and/or the Organization; systematically analyses and anticipates priority projects for own team and allocates necessary resources to achieve them; identifies the cross-Organizational resources needed for large- scale projects in line with key Organizational objectives. Anticipates foreseeable changes and adapts own and team’s projects in the face of unforeseen circumstances and/ or challenges; creates measures and criteria to monitor progress of overall projects against key Organizational objectives; creates cost-effective solutions for the Organization.
Technical Expertise:
Theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles and practices of journalism and the news media, social media, knowledge management, and organization and dissemination, collaboration and refinement of information.
Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy, and tact to effectively communicate with the media and with senior level health officials in public and private sector and the civil society, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of reports, oral presentation, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.
In-depth knowledge and understanding of communication methodologies, concepts and tools, and their role in promoting the concept of a learning organization.
Ability to analyze current public information networks to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions for improvement.
Excellent knowledge and skills for the design, organization, and coordination of complex special events and communication campaigns.
Languages:
Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
IT Skills:
Demonstrated ability to effectively use software such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint, Outlook, and Adobe Master suite. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software such as 3D visualization modeling and digital social media products development, Visio and Project would be an asset.
REMUNERATION
Annual Salary: (Net of taxes)
$US 73,516.00+ post adjustment
Post Adjustment: 50.4% of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
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 may be used as a form of screening.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and e-Manual.
PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
PAHO/WHO offers an attractive compensation package including an annual net salary and post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station and exchange rates (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance). Other benefits include: 30 days annual leave, dependency benefits, pension plan and health insurance scheme. Benefits for internationally recruited staff may include home leave, travel and removal expenses on appointment and separation, education grant for dependent children, assignment grant and rental subsidy.
Candidates appointed to an international post with PAHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this post.
Candidates will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. A written test and/or interview will be held for this post. The post description is the official documentation for organization purposes.