Communication Officer, P3 - Brazzaville

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Qualifications

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Within the Emergency Preparedness and Response (EPR) Cluster, the Communication Officer plays a critical role in supporting the planning, coordination, and implementation of communication and advocacy strategies at regional and country levels. The incumbent contributes to promoting WHO’s mandate and achievements in emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts through the timely production and dissemination of high-quality communication products. These include media content, digital outputs, advocacy materials, and public information products tailored for diverse audiences including governments, partners, donors, and the general public. The role ensures that communication outputs are aligned with WHO global communication strategies and external relations priorities, while enhancing visibility, credibility, and stakeholder engagement. The incumbent is also expected to support risk communication during emergencies and may be deployed to field operations as required

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The mission of WHO's Health Emergencies Program (The 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 health response to contain outbreaks and to provide effective relief and recovery to affected populations. Communication is a strategic pillar in achieving these objectives by facilitating information sharing, advocacy, public awareness, and coordination among stakeholders.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DUTIES

Within the framework of the delegated authority, the incumbent is assigned all or part of the following responsibilities: 

1. Communication Strategy and Planning 
   Support the development and implementation of communication and advocacy strategies aligned with WHO global priorities; identify key communication opportunities to enhance program visibility and impact. 
    

2. Content Development and Dissemination 
   Produce and disseminate high-quality communication materials including press releases, web stories, situation reports, newsletters, briefs, and social media content; develop multimedia products such as videos, photo stories, and infographics. 
    

3. Editorial and Quality Assurance 
   Provide editorial support, including drafting, copy-editing, and proofreading communication and technical materials to ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency with WHO standards. 
    

4. Media Relations and Advocacy 
   Build and maintain relationships with media; facilitate press briefings, interviews, and media coverage; prepare talking points, key messages, and speeches; monitor media coverage and provide alerts on sensitive issues. 
    

5. Digital and Web Communication 
   Manage and update web and digital communication platforms; ensure consistency of messaging and compliance with WHO branding and communication guidelines; support social media engagement and outreach. 
    

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6. Emergency Communication Support 
   Contribute to risk communication and public information efforts during emergencies; support communication needs during outbreaks and deployments; adapt communication strategies to evolving operational contexts. 
    

7. Advocacy and Resource Mobilization 
   Prepare communication products and advocacy materials to support donor engagement and resource mobilization efforts; highlight program achievements, needs, and impact. 
    

8. Partnerships and Coordination 
   Collaborate with UN agencies, NGOs, health cluster partners, and national authorities to identify communication opportunities and ensure coordinated messaging. 
    

9. Other Duties 
   Perform additional communication-related duties as required, including supporting emergency deployments and adapting responsibilities to program needs.

RECRUITMENT PROFILE

Competencies

WHO Competency model: http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1 

1. Teamwork

2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

3. Communication

4. Creating an empowering and motivating environment

5. Producing Results

Use of Language Skills

• Essential: Expert knowledge of English.

• Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French. Both languages are interchangeable.

   

Functional Knowledge and Skills

• Strong writing and storytelling skills for advocacy materials

• Ability to develop and implement communication strategies and products

• Excellent media relations and stakeholder engagement skills

• Ability to translate technical content into accessible public messages

• Experience in multimedia and digital communication tools

• Strong organizational and multitasking skills under pressure

• Knowledge of public health and emergency response contexts

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Essential: First university degree in communications, journalism, international relations, social sciences, or related field

• Desirable: An Advanced Training in public health communication, digital media, or visual communication

Experience

Essential :

• Minimum of 5 years’ relevant experience in communications, media, or advocacy

• Experience in developing communication products and strategies

• Experience supporting emergency or humanitarian response communication

Desirable: 

• Experience with WHO, UN agencies, or international NGOs

• Experience in advocacy campaigns and donor communication

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 71,335 (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 2,698 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

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.

• 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.

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• 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 staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.

• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.

• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. 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. 

• 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 may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int  with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.

• 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.

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

• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int 

• 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.

• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.

• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.

• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.

• 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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