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Specialist, Communications & Visibility

Specialist, Communications & Visibility

Grade: NO-A
Contractual Arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
Contract Duration: One year, first-year probationary period. Post of limited duration
Job Posting: Mar 25, 2024, 4:30:52 PM
Closing Date: Apr 16, 2024, 12:59:00 AM
Primary Location: Belize
Organization: PAHO/WHO Representation, Belize
Schedule: Full-time

OBJECTIVE OF THE Office or Department

The incumbent is responsible for providing support for the development and implementation of communication plans and actions and capacity-building support in the areas of work related to communications and information management in health for the Belize Country Office, in collaboration and coordination with technical staff in the Country Office and in the Department of Communications (CMU). He/she will create and utilize high-quality communication narratives, platforms, and capacity-building approaches to strengthen, safeguard, and advance the organization’s brand, mission, visibility, and strategic priorities to improve health outcomes. The incumbent will facilitate technical support and training at subregional and national levels for the execution of communication plans, campaigns, information management, and reporting on prioritized health issues and initiatives. The incumbent provides technical support in communication initiatives within the general framework of the Organization’s mission, including CMU’s strategic objectives. He/she recommends communication actions to support the technical cooperation work plan. The incumbent must exercise a high degree of independent judgment and initiative, make recommendations, and assume initiative in the areas of responsibility with colleagues both internal and external to the Organization.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the PAHO/WHO Representative (PWR) and the general guidance of the Director, Communications (CMU), the incumbent is responsible for, but not necessarily limited to, the following assigned duties:

• Develop and implement a communications plan tailored for the Belize Country Office, aligned with the PAHO Communications Strategy and Belize’s Country Cooperation Strategy (CCS), in collaboration with the technical personnel in the CO.
• Collaborate on the proposal and development of new and effective communication approaches and activities; support the access and dissemination of technical and scientific information in the country, in accordance with technical cooperation priorities; promote knowledge sharing initiatives aimed at improving demand for and easy access to technical-scientific information on health.
• Prepare national communication campaigns in line with CMU’s framework for a storytelling culture amongst leadership and staff in order to highlight the organization’s work of technical cooperation in the country; develop and maintain communication channels between PAHO staff and partners to ensure the monthly flow of content for inclusion in stories, news media, reports, and other publications.
• Provide guidance and training to promote and ensure effective communication mechanisms; maintain effective partnerships with stakeholders to exchange critical and technical communication information; and resolve implementation issues to ensure results are achieved as planned.
• Collaborate and provide support to the country office and technical personnel to assess and address their key communication needs and opportunities, to help advance the organization’s strategic objectives, and to stimulate greater interest in and awareness of the organization and its work in the country.
• Prepare and edit press releases, web news, features, fact sheets, talking points, and Q&A. Prepare periodic bulletins and update written materials as needed. Manage social media accounts, upload content to the local website, organize press conferences, and write and edit opinion pieces and articles aimed at disseminating the work of the organization at the country level.
• Support media inquiries by arranging interviews, researching specific issues, and contacting technical personnel; coordinate with management on sensitive issues; collaborate with management and technical officers on media relations and promotion of their activities to external audiences using a public relations approach.
• Monitor the press and media and elaborate distribution lists for journalists and strategic partners.
• Support capacity-building activities to effectively communicate leading health issues and PAHO’s program impact at the country level; support policy advocacy, technical and scientific cooperation, partnerships, and resource mobilization.
• Support PAHO Belize CO in building effective communications to position PAHO as a preferred partner, news source, thought leader, and opinion maker on public health in the country.
• Perform other related duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

• Essential: A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, media studies, digital media communication, advertising, or in any other discipline related to the functions of the position from a recognized university.
• Desirable: Training in public health would be an asset.

Experience:

• Essential: Three (3) years of national professional experience in communications or journalism, with practical experience in corporate and/or strategic communications.
• Desirable: Experience working in health promotion would be an asset.

Skills:

PAHO Competencies:

• Overall attitude at work
• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Producing Results
• Moving forward in a changing environment

Technical Expertise:

• Thorough knowledge of and proven ability in communications, media, public relations, and journalistic writing.
• Technical knowledge of tools and techniques used to design, maintain, and manage social media networks; proven ability to develop and integrate content into websites and blogs; theoretical and practical knowledge of mobile technologies.
• Excellent writing and reporting skills with demonstrated experience in content production.
• Training or experience in risk communication, crisis communications, and/or behavior change communications.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills; ability to prioritize and multitask when required.
• Strong professional oral and written skills, including the development of reports, oral presentations, and technical/persuasive documents for consideration at the highest levels of the organization; the ability to present in a clear and concise, diplomatic, tactful, and courteous manner.

Languages:
Very good knowledge of English. Knowledge of Spanish would be an asset.

IT Skills:
Demonstrated ability to effectively use software such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook, and Adobe Master Suite. Other IT skills and knowledge of other software, 3D visualization modeling, digital social media products development, Visio, and Project would be an asset.

REMUNERATION
Annual Salary: (Net of taxes) BZD $63,769.00

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Local Recruitment)

• 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 may be used as a form of screening.
• Any appointment/extension of an appointment is subject to PAHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules, and the e-Manual.
• For information on PAHO, please visit: http://www.paho.org
• PAHO/WHO 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/WHO 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/WHO 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 is committed to workforce diversity. PAHO/WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any

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