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Purpose of consultancy
The Strategic Writer supports the strategic and operational coordination of written communication in WHO regional office focusing mainly on key messages regarding the current Ebola outbreak and Emergencies in general. The incumbent will also contribute to the integration of partnership activities into programme management processes and supports the Regional Emergency Director’s (RED) Office in external relations and resource mobilization efforts. This position will among other things provide high level writing to senior leadership to facilitate advocacy and engagement with partners and member States in the context of Ebola response. Such writings should be of a publishable quality. The incumbent will be deployed to support emergency response operations when required.
Background
The mission of WHO's Emergency Preparedness and Response Program is to build the capacity of Member States to manage health emergency risks and, when national capacities are overwhelmed, to lead and coordinate the international, regional and national health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations.
Under the leadership of the Regional Emergency Director, this function interacts with the Office of the Regional Director, all cluster directors in the AFRO region, the communication unit in headquarters and other regions as well as key partners for WHO including member states and other United Nations Agencies.
Duties
The incumbent is assigned the following duties, including but not limited to:
- Research and fact check up to date information on a broad range of subjects for the Regional Office for Africa with a focus on Emergency Preparedness and Response.
- Draft, edit, and finalize speeches, talking points, FAQs, op eds, articles, and contributions to the RD’s Report and other publications.
- Gather and organize ready to use files on information for possible events to enable early response to crises (epidemics and other health related incidents).
- Collaborate closely with the Communications Team on audience research, directing information, articles, and publications to further understanding of AFRO’s programs and activities.
- Provide substantive inputs for donor proposals, technical presentations, roundtable discussions, and external partner meetings.
- Oversee production of press releases and statements for press conferences and briefings.
- Review and clear major communication strategies and materials to ensure consistency with WHO corporate policies and messaging.
- Assess materials with staff across the Regional Office, verifying supporting data with reliable sources.
- Research technical, scientific, and historical material for incorporation into speeches, reports, presentations and publications.
- Promote and implement internal/external communication strategies and plans, consolidating information/data and formulating monthly updates to Country Offices.
- Contribute to strategic thinking and positioning of WHO/AFRO through future planning processes.
- Perform other related responsibilities, including replacing and backstopping as required.
Qualifications, experience, skills and languages
Educational Qualifications
Essential: Advanced medical degree with expertise in health Communication, Journalism, International Relations, Social Sciences, or Humanities.
Desirable: Studies or training in Public Health..
Experience
Essential: Minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience in communications and international relations, including at least 2 years at the international level and 2 years in a country setting, preferably in a health field.
Desirable: Field experience in public health programs in developing countries.
Skills/Knowledge
- Strong problem-solving skills, demonstrated through the ability to identify challenges, gather and analyze complex data, build strategic models, and provide well-founded recommendations to enhance project outcomes.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively present in meetings, draft comprehensive reports, and create strategic presentations. The officer should engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, international organizations, and health partners at national, regional, and international levels.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively in teams, fostering cooperation, developing team members, and promoting a constructive team environment that values teamwork, innovation, and continuous improvement.
Languages
- Expert knowledge of English
- Intermediate knowledge of French
Duty Station
Brazzaville, Congo
Travel
The consultant will travel when necessary
Remuneration and budget ((travel costs are excluded)
- Remuneration: Band level B – USD 8.500 – 9.980/Month
- Living expenses: A Daily Subsistence Allowance will be paid when the consultant is required to travel
- Expected duration of contract : 3 months – FTA : 100%
Additional Information
- This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test may be used as a form of screening.
- If your candidature is retained for 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.
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- The WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its workforce. 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 for WHO jobs.
- 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 (https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/our-values) 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 short-listed candidates.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority.
- WHO shall have no responsibility for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
- 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.
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