Vacancy Notice No: PAHO/10/FT438
Title: Advisor, Media Relations and Special Events
Grade: P4
Contract type: Fixed-term appointment
Duration of contract: Two years, first year probationary period.
Application Deadline: 22 October 2010
Duty Station: Washington, D.C. United States of America
Organization unit: AM Americas (AM)
Knowledge Management and Communication (KMC)
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 States, 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 Communication (KMC) and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Media Relations and Multimedia Services, the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:
a) Plan, develop and implement the Organization's strategy for the coordination of news media coverage and its activities; establish and maintain effective working relationships and communication channels with representatives of all types of media, national new services, and agencies to ensure the best possible cooperation with the Organization; promote coverage of public health in general so as to place health in the forefront of the public agenda;
b) Plan, coordinate and direct the output and dissemination of the Organization's Public Information communiqués including media-related written, video and Internet materials; identify the need for, prepare and produce information for the media, non-governmental organizations and other public groups with the objective of promote greater public understanding and support for the Organization;
c) Plan and develop strategies for writing press releases, fact sheets, backgrounders, video scripts and other materials using technical information from the Country Offices and Headquarters including the development of themes, population emphasis and sequences; write, edit and revise material to ensure it conforms to the Organization's policies and standards for editorial and professional journalistic style, accuracy and objectivity;
d) Provide technical advice in developing policies and procedures to ensure that KMC can respond immediately to all news media inquires; make appropriate arrangements to respond through written materials, provision of experts for interview and other appropriate actions;
e) Plan and develop criteria and procedures for providing support to technical entities in developing innovative materials for dissemination utilizing the latest social media and communication tools; gather, analyze and adapt organizational entity's technical information and convert it into information easily understood by the general public and the media;
f) Plan and develop strategies for the organization of special events and participation in these events with other technical entities with the Organization and with outside agencies; organize seminars, lectures and exhibits on major issues and events of concern relevant to the program of work of the Organization;
g) Work closely with the Manager of KMC and the Advisor, Media Relations and Multimedia Services (KMC) in overseeing the work and production of the team; review and recommend the utilization of new tools and technologies;
h) Provide advice and work closely with social communicators in Country Offices and Centers;
i) Supervise staff of the Team; provide training, advice and guidance on issues arising from the day-to-day activities; provide leadership, guidance and monitoring staff through setting of clear work objectives, timely and effective use of performance reviews and feedback mechanisms, regular communications, and solving interpersonal or technical conflicts; establish and support a learning environment.
j) Perform other related duties, as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
A bachelor's and master's degree in journalism, media communications, public relations, policy communication, political science, or related field from a recognized 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 information or to build an alliance. Takes into consideration the multicultural differences within the organization.
-- Information Management: Initiates, leads and participates in activities to improve systems for the presentation and dissemination of information. Verifies that information from the area of work is handled objectively and presented clearly and equitably. Develops new strategic forms to be more effective and concordant with the dissemination of the information.
-- Knowledge Management: Supports and develops networked and community working. Identifies, develops and nurtures networks and communities. Identifies and builds on working networks that enable knowledge and information flow. Designs and implements knowledge and information services. Enables utilization of knowledge and information sources. Delivers relevant knowledge and information in most appropriate form. Participates in and learns from networked and community approaches.
-- Teamwork: Embraces and leads consensual decision-making, that is, leading the fulfillment of team decisions, even when they may not fully coincide with one's own opinions or proposals. Knows how to manage difficult team situations and promotes consensus building. Takes responsibility for the team's successes and failures.
-- Thinking, planning and the strategic management of technical cooperation interventions: Selects priority ideas for executing the interventions after anticipating their potential problems and solutions. Participates in the preparation of strategic plans, providing input about their impact, quality, critical points, and risks.
-- Resource Mobilization: Establishes partnerships and alliances with a variety of institutions and organizations as well as internal partnerships to obtain financial and non-financial resources. Is able to relate with all types of people and at all levels in order to obtain resources that are needed. Is able to present and disseminate information in a clear manner. Executes resources according to the agreements previously established with partnerships.
Technical Expertise:
-- Theoretical and practical knowledge of the principles and practices of journalism and the news media, social media, knowledge management, organization, distribution, dissemination, collaboration and refinement of information.
-- A high degree of specialization in journalistic writing for a broad spectrum of audiences and promotional writing for institutional marketing;
-- In-depth knowledge and understanding of knowledge management and communication methodologies, concepts, and tools and their role in promoting the concept of a learning organization;
-- Theoretical and practical expertise in all aspects related to media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods to include alternative ways to promote knowledge management initiatives;
-- Ability to analyze current public information networks and social media to develop and plan innovative and appropriate solutions for improvement;
-- Excellent knowledge and skills for the design, organization and coordination of complex special events and communication campaigns;
-- Knowledge of business and management involved in strategic planning, resource allocation and coordination of people and resources;
-- Strong inter-personal skills, diplomacy and tact to effectively communicate with the media and with senior level health officials in public and private sector and civil society, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural backgrounds;
-- Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment to re-prioritize actions on short notice;
-- Strong professional oral and writing skills including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the Organization.
IT Skills:
-- Demonstrated ability to effectively use a computer, utilize and understand new media communications software, social media networks, web 2.0 practices, along with programs such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software programs such as Visio, Project, Access and Microsoft SharePoint would be an asset.
Experience:
Nine years of combined national and international experience in public information, mass media communication and/or reporting, journalism.
Languages:
Very good knowledge of Spanish or English with a working knowledge of the other language. Knowledge of French and/or Portuguese would be an asset.
Additional Information:
ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ON-LINE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POST. 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 $66,482.00 at single rate
US $71,393.00 with primary dependants
Post Adjustment: 42.6 % 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.
WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual. Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
Apply Now at https://erecruit.who.int/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.asp?o_c=1000&jobinfo_uid_c=23540&vaclng=en