Emergency Communications Officer

Host entity: WHO

Volunteer type: National

Areas of expertise: Communication, advocacy, public information, Emergency preparedness, crisis response

Application deadline: 17/11/2026

Mission and objectives

Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.

WHO leads global efforts to expand universal health coverage. We direct and coordinate the world’s response to health emergencies. And we promote healthier lives – from pregnancy care through old age. Our Triple Billion targets outline an ambitious plan for the world to achieve good health for all, using science-based policies and programmes.

Assignment context

Given the evolving humanitarian and health emergency context, the UN Volunteer may be deployed to different duty stations and may be required to adapt communication priorities and activities according to operational needs.

Task description

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Head of Country Office and direct supervision of the Incident Manager, and Communications Team Lead, and as part of the Incident Management Team based in Aden, the UN Volunteer will:

1. Identify subjects of interest to develop and improve media/communication activities and products pertaining to the emergency preparedness and response efforts at the country level. Design communication materials and tools and ensure the rapid and timely dissemination of information to all partners, through traditional and social media channels.
2. Manage the development and harmonization of content for the emergency-related websites, in compliance with guidelines and standards used throughout the Organization, to ensure consistency of approach. Review and improve content and liaise with the web team at all levels on the appropriate channels for and presentation of materials and messages and materials.
3. Co-develop, as relevant, high-quality media tools, including audio-visual, photographic and printed materials, television and radio programmes, multimedia presentations, social media, videos and press releases, etc., to promote WHO’s visibility, achievements and success stories.
4. Work closely with the country and regional Communication Officers, if any, in liaising with the press/media to advocate and disseminate information on emergency prevention, preparedness, recovery and response strategies and efforts. Organize interviews and filming opportunities to support high visibility of WHO achievements through television, radio and newspapers, etc.
5. Prepare communication and advocacy products and statements to be used by the Resource Mobilization team to convince and encourage donors to rapidly fund the overall health sector response to affected populations.
6. Collaborate with all relevant counterparts within the health cluster, regional and field offices, other WHO departments, UN agencies, and other partners to identify and create communication opportunities and prepare communication campaigns on specific topics.
7. Support the communication elements of the weekly situation report and other incident products, including field-based human-interest stories from displacement sites, supported hospitals and outbreak response, where security and access allow.
8. Perform any other incident-specific related duties, as required by the functional supervisor.

Skills and experience

•At least five years’ relevant experience at national and international levels in communication and/or advocacy, part of which should include supporting humanitarian emergency or health outbreak response and recovery activities.
• Proven experience in writing advocacy documents and in the production of communication materials and products.

Desirable
• Prior working experience with WHO/UN or with an international nongovernmental organization.
• Experience in organizing advocacy campaigns.
• Experience in managing publishing and clearance processes.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Creativity
• Judgement and decision-making
• Planning and organising
• Professionalism
• Self-management

Living conditions

As this is a national UN Volunteer assignment, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for arranging his/her own housing and other living essentials. National UN Volunteers are part of the medical insurance plan.

National UN Specialist volunteers in Yemen are entitled to:
• Monthly Living Allowance 1,385.92 $
• Non Pensionable Bonus 364.50 $
• Danger and hardship differential 415.78 $
• Annual and learning leaves
• Free medical and life insurance
• Free access to different learning platforms

You may check the full benefits and allowances applicable to the duty station using the UVP calculator. Please see the Conditions of Service for UN Volunteers for more information and details.”

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.