Team Lead, Strategic Communications and Management(SCM)

Position details

• Vacancy number: 2604148
• Grade: P5
• Contractual arrangement: Fixed-term appointment
• Contract duration: 2 Years
• Organization: AF/ORD Office of the Regional Director
• Schedule: Full-time
• Closing date: Oct 25, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

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

Purpose of the Post:

Within the context of the Office of the Regional Director Cluster (ORD), the purpose of the position is to advise the Regional Director on communications, to implement strategic communications ensuring media coverage and influencing the successful branding of the WHO African Region within the context of the global WHO brand.   The post leads a team in the development and dissemination of high quality, timely, targeted information and communication products, interventions and campaigns, utilizing multi-media, to cultivate the organization’s positive image and health advocacy. The incumbent is responsible for capacity building of staff throughout the Region in both internal and external communications, advises the Regional Director on policies and strategies for effective communications and advocacy.

Objectives of the Programme and of the immediate unit or field activity
The overall objective of the Strategic Communications team is to lead WHO/AFRO’s communications’ capacity to advocate for key health issues 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 team 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 country offices and ISTs to produce quality communications products.  

Organizational Context 
Under the direct supervision of the Director, Office of the Regional Director, the Team Lead, Strategic Communications, as an organizational expert in communications, will act as chief communications strategist for WHO in the African Region with the media, provide policy advice to the Regional Director and other senior management on external communications with the media, the public, Governing Bodies, donors and partners, engendering the organization’s positive and health-leadership image.  The incumbent is guided by and ensures compliance with the organizational communications policies and frameworks; resolutions of the Regional Committee, the World Health Assembly, and the national priorities and needs of the Member States of the Region. The incumbent will guide the Cluster Directors, Country Offices and Inter-country Support offices on strategic and operational aspects of communications, the implementation of the Region’s communications strategy and internal communications programme, to support a well-functioning organization.  The incumbent will supervise and lead the staff of the SCM Unit. Managerial focus in the form of general guidance that enables the removal of obstacles, access to communication with key personnel and resolution of problems detrimental to the programme. In keeping with the facilitative approach at this level, broad support to enable coordination of various segments of the functional area, is a primary focus of higher authority.

Contacts

Under the supervision of the Director, Office of the Regional Director, the incumbent will advise the Regional Director and lead a team to solicit information from and guide senior managers and communications focal points in HQs, Country Offices and Inter-country Support offices to implement advocacy campaigns on health issues, external and internal communications strategies and plans in the African region. The incumbent ensures the dissemination of related information to key audiences including strategic partners and Governing Bodies and ensures the responsiveness of the team to organizational requests for support from Clusters, WCOs and the RO.  In keeping with the goal of promoting working across boundaries or integrated working, the incumbent facilitates cross-team collaboration for delivering results by participating in, and availing team members to serve on, organization-wide, ad-hoc work or task teams and groups.

Summary of Assigned Duties 
The incumbent will be expected to perform the following duties:

⦁    Coordinate and facilitate the development and implementation of the plan of work for the Unit, including a Regional Communications strategy, incorporating corporate branding, reputation management, internal communications, and capacity building in the region;
⦁    Act as expert advisor to the Regional Director and senior officials on external communications, particularly in media relations, and on strategic communications’ responses to public health issues, as well as to public opinion and concerns;

⦁    Supervise the drafting of key communications products including press releases, talking points and supervise the production and distribution of public health information and advocacy materials, both publications and web-based, including information on controversial or sensitive issues;

⦁    Provide backup to the Senior Writer in the preparation of speeches /statements/messages/talking points for the Regional Director, and other communication materials as needed;
⦁    Supervise the production of multimedia material including social videos, institutional and other videos, and animations;
⦁    Support team members who working in collaboration with Clusters and country offices ensure a dynamic and up-to-date web site;

⦁    In collaboration with LLP, provide guidance on issues of copyrights, data privacy, or other branding aspects of communications;

⦁    Facilitate consistent and cohesive communications through working with a network of country-based and regional communication and public information officers in the WHO African region;

⦁    Lead capacity building for communications; oversee the development and implementation of staff training in communications across the region; provide senior leadership media coaching to support stakeholder engagement;

⦁    Supervise the Internal Communications Officer in the delivery of priority organizational communications and in advising technical units at the regional and country offices on internal communications;

⦁    Support enhanced communication linkages between all levels of the Organization including through regular exchanges and support the Internal Communications Officer in maintaining a comprehensive, cohesive and well-maintained Intranet site and e-platforms for staff knowledge and learning exchanges in communities of practice;

⦁    Provide leadership to and manage the staff under his/her responsibility; ensure their performance, continuous development and engagement, promoting a culture of working across boundaries, and integrity in accordance with the Organization's policies, rules, procedures, and values;

⦁    In coordination with HRT, lead the recruitment & staffing of positions in the Unit.  Establish work objectives for all personnel in the Unit and conduct staff performance evaluations in accordance with established procedures and deadlines;

⦁    Facilitate cross-cluster collaboration of team members across the RO for delivering organizational results;

⦁    Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, including replacing and backstopping for others as required.
RECRUITMENT PROFILE

Competencies
1) Producing results
2) Teamwork 
3) Creating an empowering and motivating environment
4) Driving the Organization to a successful future
5) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences 
6) Communicating in a credible and effective way
Functional Skills and Knowledge

⦁    Thorough knowledge of the principles, techniques and practices of a wide range of communications channels (print, web, broadcast);
⦁    Thorough understanding of the impact of communications on the reputation, image, and success of an organization, as well as the role of media and social media to communicate information about organizational programs, policies, initiatives and other relevant information; 
⦁    Proven ability and skills as a strong professional writer, including speeches, media products, and information material;
⦁    Proven ability and skills to write professionally, including speeches, media products, and information material;
⦁    Ability to engage directly and communicate articulately and diplomatically with the press, colleagues and senior leaders;
⦁    Articulate and willing to serve as a public figure for the organization;
⦁    Proven ability to maintain poise articulateness; Proven ability to maintain poise;
⦁    Working knowledge of leading the execution of an International Organization’s role, mandates, strategies and action plans.

Education (Qualifications):

Essential: Advanced university degree in Communications, Marketing, Political or international relations, health communications or related fields
Desirable:

Experience
Essential: At least fifteen 10 years’ relevant experience at national and international levels in developing and implementing public information initiatives for health programmes, health communication and advocacy
Experience in the development of communications and/or advocacy material for mass media and policy makers;

Experience as organizational spokesperson on health issues.

Desirable:

Languages:

Essential: Expert knowledge of English and good working knowledge of French.

Desirable: Working knowledge of Portuguese.

Other Skills (e.g. IT):

Working level of computer literacy with proven ability to use standard office software packages, including eHealth tools.
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 103,165 (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 3894 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
⦁    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 Manual.
⦁    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.
⦁    WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
⦁    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.