Specialist, Media Networks Grade: P2

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME : To establish the principles and practice of knowledge management and communication as fundamental to public health and a key component of technical cooperation and capacity building. As such, it oversees the equitable and efficient dissemination of health information and communications to priority audiences, especially in Member Countries, as well as the Organization's knowledge sharing processes and information and communications products. It ensures that the Organization is widely recognized as a source of authoritative scientific and technical information and safeguards its intellectual property against any use contrary to the Organization's mission and principles.
Description of duties: Under the general supervision of the Manager, Knowledge Management and Communications (KMC), and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Multimedia Relations and Services (KMC/MR), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to the following duties: a) Collaborate and provide technical support for the establishment and development of social media networks to promote the work of the Organization; b) Support social communication and public relations strategic program of work; provide technical support to managers and technical entities in order to assess and address communication needs and opportunities; produce content for, and edit press releases, web news and features, fact sheets, campaign materials, video scripts, social media content, speeches, and press briefings; review these materials for content, accuracy, and consistency in terminology and style; c) Provide technical support for the development of media and communications strategies and major public health campaigns, such as world day celebrations, Vaccination Week in the Americas, and special events; take the lead on new web-based and social media initiatives for social communication and institutional marketing; provide guidance on target audiences, editorial product selection, and media for dissemination; d) Receive and answer media inquiries by arranging interviews, researching specific issues, and contacting technical officials at Headquarters, Country Offices, and WHO/HQ; coordinate with management on sensitive issues; e) Coordinate with web focal points in KMC and technical areas to provide guidance on the public information and public relations functions of the Organization's website, including quality control for web content; f) Provide training to the Organization's technical staff in external communication, including media training; g) Collaborate with management and technical advisors on media relations, and promotion of their activities to external audiences, using a public relations approach; h) Provide editorial support for communication materials produced by technical areas for specific external audiences, including newsletters, communiqués, pamphlets, and executive summaries; i) Develop partnerships with external contacts for the Organization with targeted grassroots, nongovernmental and international organizations, private companies, decision-makers at all levels, members of the donor and academic communities, and the mass media to promote the image of the Organization, its activities and achievements; j) Perform other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Essential: A bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, public relations, media, marketing or a related field from an accredited university.
Skills: Key Behavioral Competencies: --Intra-institutional Action: Operates in a fair, consistent and equitable manner, and displays such behavior by example. Ensures that the mission and the values of the Organization as well as the setting in which projects will be carried out are the drivers in one's technical work. Understands the results required and performs to that standard. Behaves consistently in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the Organization. --Communication: Actively engages in conversation with the key players in a multicultural environment both within and outside the organization. Develops a network of appropriate contacts inside and outside PAHO to gain and disseminate information, to raise awareness of PAHO's activities and achievements, and to build alliances. Takes into consideration the multicultural differences within the organization and the distinct needs and opportunities for communication presented by different external stakeholders and audiences. --Knowledge Management: Shares knowledge and information appropriately and participates in activities to facilitate sharing. Develops tools and protocols for creation, integration and dissemination of knowledge. Researches opportunities, methods and approaches for delivering value through improved knowledge. --Information Management: Takes initiative to improve systems for the presentation and dissemination of information. Supports, through competent use of the available systems and technologies, the development of data presentations. --Teamwork: Promotes team work and leads one's area to finish tasks and accept responsibility. Creates a positive environment within the area of work. Makes everyone feel like they are part of the team as well as welcomes and appreciates everyone's ideas and suggestions. Able to see the positive aspects of working as a team, shares the team's enthusiasm for achieving mutual goals. --Service Orientation: Makes concrete attempts to add value to the client, to make things better for the client in some way. Is always aware of the client's need (internal and/or external clients). --External Action: Deliverables are on time. Keeps establishing and maintaining mutually beneficial productive relations and partnerships with counterparts in other institutions and sectors. Technical Expertise: --Theoretical and practical knowledge in social media, public relations, and journalism for a broad spectrum of audiences and promotional writing for institutional marketing; ability to train others in specialized competency areas. --Theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles and practices of communications and the news media, social media, knowledge management, organization, distribution, dissemination, collaboration and refinement of information. --Excellent skills in social media marketing, evaluation and developing strategies for use of new media and technologies. --Ability to acquire knowledge and information about a wide-range of subject-matter fields, and to select, organize, and present information in a manner suitable to the intended audience. --Excellent organizational and analytical skills, complemented by excellent communication and interpersonal skills combined with the ability to write, speak, and present in a clear and concise, diplomatic, tactful, and courteous manner. IT Skills Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer and utilize software programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of HTML, non-linear video editing, Photoshop, Joomla, blog and other web-based software programs would be an asset.
Experience: Essential: Five years of combined national and international experience working in public information, mass media communication and/or reporting, journalism. Desirable: Experience in strategic communication planning, web-site development, social media, video, photography or the use of new media, for institutional marketing would be an asset.
Languages: Very good knowledge of English or Spanish with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of Portuguese and/or French would be an asset.
Additional Information: A WRITTEN TEST AND/OR INTERVIEW MAY BE HELD FOR THIS POST. CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED ONLY IF THEY ARE UNDER SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. ALL APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE AN ON-LINE PERSONAL HISTORY FORM. THE POST DESCRIPTION IS THE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTATION FOR ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSES.
Annual salary: (Net of tax) US$46,669.00 at single rate US$49,756.00 with primary dependants	Post Adjustment: 44.6 % of the above figure(s). This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.
Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable WHO to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit WHO's e-Recruitment website at: www.who.int/employment. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.