NPO (Communication, Media and Public Information) - (2004923)
Grade: NO-B
Contractual Arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): Two Years
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.
The objective of the WHO Nepal Country Office is to implement the Country Cooperation Strategy by supporting the Nepal Government in the formulation, implementation and evaluation of national health policies, strategies and plans and developing and managing WHO's technical cooperation programmes at the country level. WHO provides guidance and technical support in organizing the humanitarian health response and in revitalizing the capacity of the health sector to rebuild and recover from emergencies in appropriate and sustainable ways. The Country Office develops collaboration with the Government of Nepal and relevant stakeholders in support of their efforts of achieving national health goals; of ensuring the attainment of universal health coverage and of contributing to global and regional public health action by providing need-based technical assistance in national level policy formulation, setting norms and standards, improving knowledge dissemination and management, monitoring country health situation and building sustainable institutional capacity, to play a greater leadership role in different national level policy and technical forums. Within this framework, this specific position will liaise with the media and the general public in Nepal and beyond on health-related issues and achievements, and on WHO activities at country level.
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the WHO Representative and in close collaboration with teams within and outside WHO Country Office, the incumbent will perform the following tasks:
1. Act as the main focal point for internal/external communication in the WHO/Nepal office;
2. Conceptualize, design and implement WHO Country Office's communication strategies (including the dissemination of public information), in support of the Country office's programs and objectives;
3. Liaise with the media in Nepal on health-related issues and achievements and on the work of WHO and its activities at country level. This may entail the organization of, or participation in events like seminars, workshops, conferences, press conferences, etc. This also includes liaise for publishing messages of Regional Director;
4. Establish, and refine process of communicating with media contacts, including press conferences and events, issuing of media materials etc. including assist in responding to media queries in consultation with concerned technical staff and WR;
5. Document and circulate health related major national print and online media news to WR and other relevant staff as appropriate;
6. Liaise with, and assist, the Ministry of Health, the United Nations, and other partners, to disseminate information about health-related events, activities, issues, etc., by holding press conferences, writing joint releases/brochures/web updates, contributing in social media, organizing orientation sessions etc.
7. Coordinate with Public Information Officer (PIO)/SEARO on public information as necessary, and regularly share communication and information with PIO and other relevant colleagues in SEARO and in the WHO/Nepal;
8. Maintain on-going contacts with mass media, other UN Information Officers, Governmental organizations and Non-governmental organizations, with the aim to stimulate their interest in health issues in general and in WHO/Nepal activities in particular, and to encourage the production and dissemination of information relevant to the implementation of national health strategies;
9. With the aim of informing the public through media, internet, social media, and other ways, and in consultation with the technical teams: (a) Prepare press releases, feature articles and fact sheets on health-related policies, developments, and issues. (b) Assist technical teams with the preparation of technical pamphlets, booklets and articles as requested. (c) Document success stories, case studies and best practices.
10. Ensure that all communication materials produced by WHO/Nepal meet the highest standards of quality, by soliciting advice and assistance from sources within and outside WCO Nepal as needed. Provide inputs on the design and layout of such materials;
11. Keep WHO/Nepal staff informed on news items concerning WHO, such as WHO public information policies, strategies and activities, health-related news stories etc.;
12. Lead the overall management of WHO/Nepal website, and coordinate with the web team and technical teams to ensure the content of the WHO/Nepal website is up to date and is appropriately linked to partners' webpages;
13. Develop and coordinate communication-related training for WHO/Nepal staff; coordinate and conduct media sensitization trainings/orientation to national media;
14. Design, set-up and maintain a social-media approach for the WHO/Nepal Office, and under technical/managerial supervision contribute on behalf of WHO/Nepal to social-media channels.
15. Maintain a database of stories, pictures, articles that can serve as background or contributions for communication activities/products;
16. Advise the WHO Representative and technical teams on communication-related issues;
17. Any other task as assigned by the supervisors.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential: University degree in journalism/ mass communications/ political affairs/ international affairs/ literature.
Desirable: Postgraduate degree (Master's) in any of the above.
Experience
Essential: - At least two years of experience in communications and/or journalism, preferably in print or online media in a health-related field.- Proven experience in media handling and in writing articles/social media posts/web stories or other documents, as evidenced by published materials.
Desirable: - Experience of working with partners, especially with Government Departments. - Experience in covering issues of public health, particularly disease outbreaks/emergency, etc. Knowledge of the workings of social media and website design
Skills
- Proven knowledge of public relations with the media/press;
- Excellent written and oral communications skills;
- Effective internal and external networking;
- Proven ability to work under pressure and multitask;
- Excellent interpersonal skills, tact, discretion and diplomacy;
- Technical expertise and overall attitude at work.
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of the media landscape in Nepal ;
- Technical expertise, Overall attitude at work are also required mandatory competencies.
Other skills (eg. IT): Good computer skills including office software applications. Knowledge of WHO corporate information systems and communications network an asset.
WHO Competencies
Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Producing results
Use of Language Skills
Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Expert knowledge of Nepali.
Desirable:
The above language requirements are interchangeable.
REMUNERATION
Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at NPR 2,870,937 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.
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.
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.
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.
For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
WHO is committed to gender parity and workforce diversity. Hence, female candidates and candidates from disadvantaged and socially excluded groups are strongly encouraged to apply.
WHO's workforce adheres to the WHO Values Charter and is committed to put the WHO Values into practice.
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.