Communications and Media Relations Officer, Brazzaville

Communications and Media Relations Officer

Grade: P3
Contractual Arrangement: Temporary appointment under Staff Rule 420.4
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days): 1 Year
Job Posting: Oct 23, 2026, 12:56:03 PM
Closing Date: Nov 12, 2026, 10:59:00 PM
Primary Location: Congo-Brazzaville
Organization: AF/ORD Office of the Regional Director
Schedule: Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that the deadline for receipt of applications indicated above reflects your personal device's system settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

The overall objective of the Communications Unit is to lead and coordinate WHO/AFRO'S efforts to advocate for resources and actions on key health issues in the African Region and showcase the impact of its work on health outcomes, securing the organization's position as the regional health leader and facilitating its ability to shape health policies. The unit also manages the internal communications function to create an optimal work environment reinforcing the common purpose of staff members. The unit achieves this by leading advocacy campaigns on health issues and implementing a Regional Communications Strategy, which targets key stakeholders including partners and Governing Bodies, using multiple channels, and building the communications capacity of WHO Clusters, Programmes and Country Offices to produce and disseminate quality communications products. The goal is to contribute to the strengthening of the capacity of countries in the WHO African Region to ensure evidence-based policies and strategies are in place to achieve universal access to high-quality, integrated, people-centred health services, increase the coverage and quality of effective interventions, and to create mechanisms to measure the impact of those strategies and interventions.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the direct supervision of the Regional Communication Manager, the incumbent supports the Regional Director in ensuring efficient and effective management of the Office of the Regional Director.

The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:

1. Draft and edit strategic WHO AFRO communications documents including, press releases, talking points, briefing documents, reports, booklets, opinion pieces and advocacy materials.
2. Contribute to writing communications products for the AFRO Clusters and/or departments as needed.
3. Develop multimedia content for the WHO website including feature stories, photo stories and videos.
4. Facilitate interviews with senior managers; connect media with WHO subject experts.
5. Review and advise on media products for advocacy material of the Clusters and/or departments as needed.
6. Build and maintain partnerships with, as well as databases of, major media houses at regional and country levels.
7. Build the capacity of, and work with WHO experts, to respond to media queries/interviews.
8. Organize roundtable discussions, press conferences, and briefing sessions with press.
9. Proactively keep abreast of success stories, upcoming events and other potentially significant developments across the AFRO region to develop media pitches.
10. In collaboration with country focal points, generate materials for outreach to partners and donors to increase the visibility of the impact of their funding and partnerships with WHO AFRO.
11. Conduct media monitoring and evaluation of media products.
12. Work with Anglophone Country Offices and technical clusters to identify and develop subjects of interest for communications at country and regional levels.
13. In collaboration with the Senior Writer, support the Regional Director's communications on missions to Anglophone countries.
14. Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

Essential: First University degree in Arts and humanitarian, communications, journalism, marketing, political or international relations, or related fields.
Desirable:

Experience

Essential: At least five (5) years' relevant experience at national or international levels. Experience in developing communications products, with a focus on writing text for speeches.
Desirable:

Skills

1. Thorough knowledge of the principles, techniques and practices of a wide range of communications channels (print, web, broadcast, campaigns and on-line).
2. Thorough understanding of the impact of communications on the reputation, image, and success of an organization, including the role of media and social media.
3. Thorough understanding of public health and international development issue.
4. Ability to transform technical information for different target audiences.
5. Excellent analytical, writing and editing skills.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork
• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
• Communication
• Moving forward in a changing environment
• Creating an empowering and motivating environment

Use of Language Skills

Essential: Expert knowledge of English. Intermediate knowledge of French.
Desirable:
The above language requirements are interchangeable.

REMUNERATION

WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 71,335 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 2699 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework.
• 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 and/or an asynchronous video assessment may be used as a form of screening.
• In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. 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: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
• According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible.
• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and eManual.
• The Director-General retains the discretion to not make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade, or to make an appointment with a modified job description, including shortening the duration of the appointment.
• Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
• WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. WHO recruits and employs staff regardless of disability status, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, race, marital status, religious, cultural, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, or any other personal characteristics.
• WHO is committed to achieving gender parity and geographical diversity in its staff. Women, persons with disabilities, and nationals of unrepresented and underrepresented Member States (https://www.who.int/careers/diversity-equity-and-inclusion) are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations (modifications or adjustments to the application or recruitment process) to support their participation in the application and recruitment process. Please send an email to reasonableaccommodation@who.int with your full name, the vacancy number you are applying for, and specific details of the accommodation needed in your request.
• An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential. WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
• e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment).
• Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with WHO and an underlying premise of the international civil service. Candidates appointed to a fixed-term position in the International Professional category (Grades P1-D2) are eligible for Geographical Mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
• WHO also offers wide range of benefits to staff, including parental leave and attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work-life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully.
• The statutory retirement age for staff appointments is 65 years. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete the term of appointment will normally be considered.
• Please note that WHO's contracts are conditional on members of the workforce confirming that they are vaccinated as required by WHO before undertaking a WHO assignment, except where a medical condition does not allow such vaccination, as certified by the WHO Staff Health and Wellbeing Services (SHW). The successful candidate will be asked to provide relevant evidence related to this condition. A copy of the updated vaccination card must be shared with WHO medical service in the medical clearance process. Please note that certain countries require proof of specific vaccinations for entry or exit. For example, official proof /certification of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter many countries. Country-specific vaccine recommendations can be found on the WHO international travel and Staff Health and Wellbeing website. For vaccination-related queries please directly contact SHW directly at shws@who.int.
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• *For WHO General Service staff who do not meet the minimum educational qualifications, please see e-Manual III.4.1, para 220.
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