PAHO Consultant – “Media and Communication”, Geneva

OBJECTIVE OF THE OFFICE/DEPARTMENT

This is a requisition for employment at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO)

Contractual Agreement: Non-Staff – International PAHO Consultant

Job Posting: February 2, 2023

Closing Date: February 12, 2023, 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Primary Location: HQ – VA 2121 (1st & 2nd Floor)

Organization: CMU Communications

Schedule: Full time

PURPOSE OF CONSULTANCY

Objective of the Department Strategic communication is essential to PAHO’s vision and strategic priorities and the advancement of the principles and practices of communication in support of sound public health principles and practices and PAHO’s mission in delivering technical cooperation in the Americas region. The objective of the Department of Communications (CMU) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is to lead in the development, implementation, and management of PAHO’s corporate strategic communication at all levels, internally and externally, within a complex range of media outlets and platforms and media relations and a 24/7 information cycle.

Purpose of the Consultancy Collaborate with CMU’s Public Affairs team on content development and media outreach functions and on communicating PAHO’s work and impact effectively through media and other communication products in coordination with other CMU teams and with all technical areas.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

Under the general supervision of the Director of Communications (CMU) and the direct supervision of the Advisor, Public Affairs (CMU/PA), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following duties: a) Collaborate with the Public Affairs team in providing support to technical areas to assess and address communication needs and opportunities, using both a social communication approach to help advance the Organization’s strategic objectives and a public relations approach to stimulate greater interest in and awareness of the Organization and its work;

b) Produce content for communications strategies; write and edit press releases, news articles, op-eds, stories from the field and features, fact sheets, campaign materials, speeches, content for press briefings, and other written content; review material for content, accuracy, and consistency in terminology and style in English and Spanish;

c) Contribute to 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, and guide target audiences, product selection, and media outreach;

d) Research specific issues and draft or review talking points in collaboration with technical officials at Headquarters, Country Offices, and WHO/HQ; develop answers and materials for reporters, including media plans; and contribute to building relationships with media to put health at the top of the public agenda.

e) Conduct media monitoring to help evaluate the impact of activities, collect metrics on outreach and coverage, and support the management of PAHO media databases;

f) Provide translations, editorial, and proofreading support for communication materials produced by other CMU teams and technical areas for specific external audiences.

Qualifications requirements of the consultant:

• A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, media, marketing, or a related field from an accredited university.
• Excellent conversational and technical command of English and Spanish; ideally, one as mother tongue with thorough working knowledge of the other.
• Very good knowledge of communication, media, public relations, and journalistic writing with demonstrated skills to match.
• Excellent writing, organizational and analytical skills, communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to write, speak and present in a clear, concise, diplomatic, discreet, and courteous manner.
• Ability to manage multiple issues and tasks in a complex organizational environment to re-prioritize actions on short notice.
• At least five years of relevant experience in the functions described above.

Pay Rate: PAHO IPC Rate Band B – $5,200.00 per month

Contract Duration: Ten months from 1 March – 31 December 2023

Primary Location: PAHO/WHO HQ – Off-Site – Details below

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently may be selected for consultancy assignments falling in this area of work or for similar requirements/tasks/deliverables. Inclusion in the Roster does not guarantee selection to a consultant contract. There is no commitment on either side.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• All applicants are required to complete an on-line profile to be considered for this consultancy. For assessment of your application, please ensure that your profile in Stellis is updated; all experience records are entered with elaboration on tasks performed at the time. Kindly note that CV/PHFs inserted via LinkedIn are no accessible.

• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. PAHO/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: (link) PAHO will also use the databases of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (link) and College Navigator, found on the website of the National Centre for Educational Statistics, (link) to support the validation process. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to PAHO/WHO Regulations, and e-Manual.
• For information on PAHO please visit: (link)
• PAHO/WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• PAHO is an ethical organization that maintains high standards of integrity and accountability. People joining PAHO are required to maintain these standards both in their professional work and personal activities.
• PAHO also promotes a work environment that is free from harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and other types of abusive behavior. PAHO conducts background checks and will not hire anyone who has a substantiated history of abusive conduct.
• PAHO personnel interact frequently with people in the communities we serve. To protect these people, PAHO has zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse. People who commit serious wrongdoing will be terminated and may also face criminal prosecution.
• PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between PAHO and the Consultant.
• PAHO/WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by PAHO/WHO.