General
Description of assignment title: External Communication Specialist
Assignment country: Mozambique
Expected start date: 10/01/2023
Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and well-being
Volunteer category: International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity: WHO
Type: Onsite
Duration: 3 months (with possibility of extension)
Number of assignments: 1
Duty stations: Maputo
Details
Mission and objectives
Our values, our DNA WHO, as the directing and coordinating authority on international health within the United Nations system, adheres to the UN values of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity. The values of the WHO workforce furthermore reflect the principles of human rights, universality and equity established in WHO’s Constitution as well as the ethical standards of the Organization. These values are inspired by the WHO vision of a world in which all peoples attain the highest possible level of health, and our mission to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable, with measurable impact for people at country level. We are individually and collectively committed to put these values into practice.
Context
Mozambique is experiencing one of the largest cholera epidemics in decades, which can also be considered an outbreak in an endemic situation. The outbreak started in Niassa province on September 14, 2022, and then spread to two other provinces. The situation worsened after heavy rains in February 2023 and the arrival of cyclone Freddy 1 on February 22, and cyclone Freddy 2 on March 11. Cases have been reported in all provinces of the country and as of 31 July 2023, a cumulative total of 33,534 cases and 141 deaths (CFR 0.4%) have been reported. Since the outbreak was declared a national cholera task force has been activated and the World Health Organization (WHO) from Mozambique along with other partners, is supporting all pillars of the response. WHO, in accordance with its essential functions, is the first technical partner of the Government of Mozambique in the field of health. This UNV assignment is part of WHO’s transformational agenda designed around three strategic objectives:
- Focusing WHO’s work on driving impact at the country level and embedding its mission and strategy in the day-to-day work and organizational culture. This work includes the workstreams focused on establishing and operationalizing an impact-focused, data-driven strategy and a new results-focused, collaborative culture.
- Establishing a fit-for-purpose organization to deliver the strategy, anchored in new ways of working that are enabled by “best-in-class” processes and an aligned, 3- level operating model.
- Leveraging partners and the global community to drive health outcomes, including through effective communications, new partnerships, and resource mobilization initiatives. Underpinning all these objectives, WHO Country Office (WCO) Mozambique aims to find a motivated fit-for-purpose External communication officer international UNV to support effective communications and partnerships and reinforce the visibility of WHO support in the response. There is a need to recruit an external communication specialist to support effective communications and visibility, partnerships during the ongoing response, and support the team with the preparation for the next rainy season.
Task description
Under the leadership of the Incident Manager and guidance of the WHO Representative, the UN Volunteer will develop and implement a communication strategy to increase the visibility of WHO Country Office (WCO) Mozambique, particularly in the cholera response and preparedness in Mozambique. Generic responsibilities include supporting communication and visibility around the involvement of the WCO Mozambique team in supporting the country during the outbreak. Key specific responsibilities include: A. Promoting WCO work by enhancing Cholera activities’ visibility
- Develop a creative and strategic communication plan and ensure the timely implementation of the plan
- Develop IEC materials and produce visibility materials which included brochures, calendars, banners, posters, factsheets, etc. for showcasing WCO to donors, partners, and other stakeholders.
- Assist with resource mobilization efforts through packaging and disseminating key contributions of WCO with outstanding results that foster the realization of WHO’s mandate on social media and reports.
- Develop and coordinate relevant communication work at key events involving cholera activities, to promote WCO activities. B. Providing support to the Country WHO Representative and the cholera team in planning and developing relevant information and communications products.
- Support in the preparation and organization of speaking engagements, which involves creating background materials, drafting talking points, speeches, and presentations
- Monitor international and regional media, and regularly update the cholera team of any media coverage relevant to their work.
- Facilitate effective internal communication and staff engagement. C. Providing support to the country’s WHO Representative and overall, the cholera team by developing relevant information and communications products.
- Support in the preparation and organization of speaking engagements, which involves creating background materials, drafting talking points, speeches, and presentations
- Monitor international and regional media, and regularly update the cholera team on any media coverage relevant to their work.
- Facilitate effective internal communication and staff engagement.
- Participate in the elaboration of the cholera sitrep, AFRO bulletin and other relevant materials D. Training
- Empower communication skills for capacity building on strategic communications, for the cholera team, by implementing at least one training session
- Identify gaps in terms of strategic communication and advice the Incident Management team
- Provide regular progress reports to the Incident Manager E. Contributing to other relevant activities as requested by the supervisor.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 27 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
5 years of experience in national and/or international level, in communications, writing, editing, publishing and/or media relations, or other relevant programmes; experience with WHO is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.
Area(s) of expertise
Communication, Information technology
Driving license
–
Languages
Portuguese, Level: Working knowledge, Required English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Master degree or equivalent in a first university degree in communication, journalism, political science or international relations or related field from an accredited/recognized institute.
Competencies and values
- Accountability
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Creativity
- Judgement and decision-making
- Planning and organising
- Professionalism
- Self-management
- Teamwork
- Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
- Communication
- Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
- Producing results
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Mozambique is a culturally diverse country in the southeast of Africa, with an azure coastline that stretches for almost 2,000km. It’s home to a human population of 32.4 million, and exotic wildlife including elephants, lions, baboons, and giraffes. Portuguese is the country’s official language as Mozambique has been colonized by Portugal in 1498 and become independent in 1975. The healthcare system in Mozambique is improving, but international people are advised to take out medical insurance. Some people travel to nearby South Africa if medical care is required. As it can be difficult to get hold of some medicines in Mozambique, people who need a regular supply, are advised to bring it with them. In terms of climate, Mozambique has a rainy season from November to March, followed by often perfect tropical weather from June to October, with clear skies, plenty of sun, and almost no rain. The rains start sooner and finish later in the north, and humidity can be uncomfortably high during this time. Temperatures range from 13 to 24°C in July to 22 to 31°C in February. Mozambique is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to the impacts of climate change. It lies in the Intertropical Convergence Zone, a narrow belt of humidity and precipitation. Mozambique’s high disease burden is dominated by climate-sensitive diseases, such as malaria, cholera, and measles, which disproportionally affect rural populations, women, and children. Essential public services, including health, water, and sanitation, are especially stretched in rural areas and along Mozambique’s extensive coastline, locations characterized by widespread poverty and vulnerability to extreme, climate-related weather events such as cyclones, droughts, and floods. Despite these challenges, Mozambique remains a beautiful and unique country. It provides an interesting and enriching environment but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable.
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy
