Organization: WHO – World Health Organization
Location: Istanbul
Grade: Mid level – P-3, International Professional – Internationally recruited position
Occupational Groups:
Communication and Public Information
Closing Date: 2025-02-11

Goals of the initiative

In order to contain all hazard emergencies as defined by the IHR (2005) and to effectively aid and recover impacted populations, the Division of WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) aims to increase Member States’ ability to evaluate, prevent, and manage health emergency risks. It also leads and coordinates the international health response.
In order to address all health threats throughout the risk management cycle in a predictable, competent, dependable, flexible, and responsible way, the WHE Division unifies and strengthens WHO’s operational, technical, and normative skills in health emergencies and risk analysis.

In accordance with strategies that enhance regional and national capacities, the program is intended to function within the larger humanitarian and emergency management framework to assist those who are at risk of or impacted by epidemics and emergencies.

Through creative, cooperative, and sustainable approaches to capacity building, the European Centre for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies (PHHE) seeks to increase WHO/EURO Member States’ preparedness for humanitarian and health emergencies. This includes creating and implementing training opportunities in emergency and disaster risk reduction, offering specialized country support in sustainable capacity building, and making it easier for the region’s member states to access resources for capacity building.

Responsibilities:

Within the framework of the delegated authority, and under the guidance of PHHE Head of Office, the incumbent is assigned the following duties:

1. Develop the WHO European Centre for Preparedness for Humanitarian and Health Emergencies (PHHE) Communication Strategy; analyse and support its implementation, monitoring and evaluation; ensure alignment with WHO/Europe’s communication goals and objectives. This includes identifying target audiences and tailoring communication approaches to effectively engage stakeholders.
2. Create, source, develop, disseminate and maintain: high-quality, relevant, time-sensitive content; written and visual (photos, stories, articles, infographics, video, social media updates, press statements, speeches, op-eds etc.) for the various communications channels and platforms of PHHE. Outsource production if need be, in consultation with supervisors, and maintain a list of vendors and freelancers.
3. Support with media outreach and interviews on occasion, provide advice on media landscape, draft talking points. Maintain a list of media professionals.
4. Support and manage review of all communication and visibility materials to ensure they are in compliance with WHO rules and liaise with WHO/Europe’s communication teams to ensure consistent and coherent messaging across various platforms.
5. Maintain an information database and multimedia (photo, video, etc.) library for PHHE to support communications documentation and help prepare content for the PHHE; Upload and frequently share content (photos, videos, captions) with EURO.
6. Lead on regularly maintaining PHHE web pages and other online content;
7. Develop in-house capacity in social media and ensure staff are familiar with ethical guidelines and expectations of WHO staff and their use of social media;
8. Develop and post new relevant content (graphics/visuals) for PHHE’s social media platforms;
9. With guidance of his/her supervisor organize and run live social media events;
10. Support the logistics, promotion, and coordination of communication for virtual and in-person events organized by PHHE (workshops, meetings, trainings and conferences); it will include creating communication material such as posters, pamphlets, advertisement of the event, identification of communication material needed, supervision of printing agencies, photographs, cameramen, and liaison with media.
11. Perform any other communications-related duties as requested by the Head of Office.
12. Monitor and analyse the effectiveness of communication efforts using relevant metrics and tools. Provide regular reports on communication outcomes, identify trends, and propose adjustments to enhance impact.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: A first university degree in communication, journalism, political science or international relations or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.

Desirable: Formal qualification in public health. Courses in communication techniques such as graphic design, visual language and in the use of social media.

Experience

Essential: At least five years’ related experience, at the national and international level, in communication and/or advocacy, part of which supporting humanitarian emergency or health outbreak response and recovery activities. Experience with social media platforms.
Desirable: Prior working experience with WHO/UN or with an international non-governmental organization. Experience in organizing advocacy campaigns and/or managing publishing processes. Proficiency in graphic design software and multimedia content creation tools.

Skills

• Ability to develop, promote, implement, monitor and evaluate communication strategies.
• Good abilities to write and edit as well as in print, photo editing, broadcasting, social media and web administration.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet;
• Familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment;
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development;
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills;
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel;
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines;
• Sound cybersecurity awareness;
• Have affinity with or interest in Good Health and Well-being, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

WHO Competencies

Teamwork
Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
Communication
Building and promoting partnerships across the Organization and beyond
Promoting WHO’s position in health leadership

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Excellent knowledge (mother tongue/advanced) of English.
Desirable: Working knowledge of any other UN languages and/or local language.

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 70,212 (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 2246 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

• 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.
• 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 the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• 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.
• The WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The 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.
• The 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 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 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.
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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