Communications Officer, WHO
(WCO, New Delhi)
1. POSITION VACANT: Communications Officer (CO), WHO, (WCO, New Delhi)
The World Health Organization’s (WHO) mandate revolves around six core functions:
(1) Providing leadership on global health matters;
(2) Shaping the health research agenda;
(3) Setting norms and standards;
(4) Articulating evidence-based policy options;
(5) Providing technical support to countries; and
(6) Monitoring and assessing health trends.
The WHO Country Office in India (WCO-India) provides wide-ranging policy inputs and technical assistance to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), in the area of health and health systems, to support a range of health initiatives that include National Rural Health Mission, Universal Coverage, Polio Surveillance, TB Control, HIV/AIDS, Roll Back Malaria, Tobacco Free Initiative, Health Financing, Trade Agreements and Health, Non-communicable Diseases, Environment and Health etc.
For more information please visit, http://whoindia.org/
3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the overall supervision of the WHO Representative to India (WR-I), the CO will focus on building effective “delivery communication mechanisms” and establishing and maintaining appropriate internal and external communication networks. S/he will be responsible for the following:
(A) Internal & External Communications
(1) Building and maintaining effective and strategic internal and external communication networks;
(2) Increasing public awareness of the work of the Country office by liaising with the media, NGOs, Governmental agencies, UN agencies, counterparts in governmental agencies, international institutions, partner organizations and other targeted stakeholders;
(3) Conceptualizing, designing and implementing communication plans for external audiences and employees;
(4) Support in carrying out communication strategy to support the Country office’s programs and strategic objectives;
(5) Participating and supporting in building desired brand positioning of the WHO India Country office;
(6) Coordinating WCO India’s communication activities in case of outbreaks and emergencies;
(7) Ensuring cohesive and coherent coverage of WCO India’s relevant events and communicating to external and internal stakeholders;
(8) Supporting the website management process of WCO India;
(9) Supporting the Communications and Technical teams in identification & development of relevant IEC (Information, Education & Communication) resource materials, communicating branding guidelines for preparing resource materials and disseminating the same timely to targeted audiences;
(10) Commission translation of material and programming in other languages as needed –Liaising with consultants/contractors engaged for press relations/ communication/ documentation work;
(11) Monitoring media covering relevant health news on a daily basis;
(12) Participating in knowledge management activities as assigned.
(B) Media Relations & Activities
(1) Serving as principal liaison officer to the media;
(2) Developing, planning and implementing WCO India’s media strategy to generate maximum visibility for the Country office’s work (within WHO also);
(3) Exploring media partnerships with credible publications/ trade magazine for generating desired visibility;
(4) Arranging and holding press conferences, media briefings and interviews;
(5) Writing press releases and other diverse range of information products for journalists in support of the Office objectives;
(6) Timely and correctly responding to media queries and dealing with misinformation or misinterpretation by the media;
(7) Assessing the overall effectiveness of WCO India’s press and media relations and making improvements in approach and technique.
4. QUALIFICATIONS:
(1) Applicants must have a degree/diploma preferably in communications, journalism, public relations or other related field or equivalent combination of education and experience in a related area;
(2) A master’s degree or equivalent would be preferred.
5. EXPERIENCE:
Six years of work experience in this area of specialization, of which at least one year should be in public health programmes.
6. SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES:
(1) Excellent PR skills;
(2) Strong media relations;
(3) Skillful in maintaining relations with a range of stakeholders;
(4) Some experience in the UN system is desirable;
(5) Excellent written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated ability to write media articles, features and write-up;
(6) Strong oral and written command over English and Hindi.
7. COMPENSATION OFFERED:
Approximate initial taxable remuneration for the vacancy shall be INR 94,500/- pm.
8. LOCATION:
WHO Country Office, New Delhi.
9. VACANCY REFERENCE:
CO-WCO
10. CONTACT INFORMATION:
The Administrative Officer
Office of the WHO Representative to India
Room No.537,"A" Wing
Nirman Bhavan
Maulana Azad Road
New Delhi- 110011
Email: co-wco@whoindia.org
11. LAST DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:
Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to submit a personal history form (downloadable from www.whoindia.org), as well as a brief resume, providing details of relevant experience/ skills and other qualifications. Applications must be submitted to the above email id, by or before September 7, 2011, accompanied by a cover letter, giving reasons in support of the candidate’s suitability for the position.
NOTES:
WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or other tobacco users.
THIS POSITION IS SUBJECT TO LOCAL RECRUITMENT AND WILL BE FILLED BY PERSONS FROM WITHIN INDIA.
Applications from women are encouraged.
Only candidates qualifying for interviews shall be corresponded with further.