Senior Writernew

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Purpose of the position

The Senior Writer supports the Regional Director (RD) in delivering clear, impactful, and strategic messaging aligned with WHO priorities and regional health agendas. The incumbent ensures the preparation of high-quality speeches, talking points, and briefing materials for internal and external engagements with Member States, partners, and global stakeholders. He/she supports also the strategic development of the data and information strategy across the ORD Cluster, within the Office of the Director.

 

Objectives of the Programme 

The Regional Director’s Office (RDO) supports the Regional Director in the efficient delivery of his mandate and in the provision of effective leadership and coordination with countries, UN system, International Organizations, bilaterial and multilateral agencies and other stakeholders. The office coordinates the Regional Director’s engagement and collaboration with member states, the African Union Commission, the UN system, development partners, donors and other stakeholders. Its also responsible for coordinating the preparation of policy, technical and managerial briefs on relevant health matters to facilitate the decisions of the Regional Director and it assists in monitoring the compliance in the implementation of specific executive decisions and recommendations. The office oversees also the work of the Regional Office and country offices in the WHO African region.
The incumbent works in accordance with established procedures and following WHO rules and regulations with regards to RD’s speeches, talking points and presentations. Orientations are provided by first and/or second level supervisor(s) regarding non-routine matters. Incumbent timely raises problems and/or unusual situations to supervisors.
 

Description of duties

Under the direct supervision of the RD’s Strategic Advisor, the incumbent supports the Regional Director in ensuring timely preparation of speeches, talking points, statements, key points, etc.
The Senior Writer will work under tight deadlines and must be available to support urgent requests associated with high-level engagements of the Regional Director.

A. Speechwriting

⦁    Draft, edit, and finalize speeches, talking points, statements, and keynote addresses for the Regional Director across high-level events, meetings, and missions.
⦁    Ensure speeches reflect the priorities and are tailored to the audience, context, and political sensitivities.
⦁    Integrate technical inputs from programme teams into coherent and compelling narratives.

B. Coordination and Content Development

⦁    Liaise with technical units, communications teams, and external partners to gather accurate and up-to-date content for speeches and remarks.
⦁    Coordinate preparation timelines, including early consultation with the Regional Director and relevant stakeholders.
⦁    Ensure alignment with WHO corporate communications strategy and messaging standards. 
⦁    Review and edit speeches to ensure clarity, accuracy, consistency, and compliance with WHO style guidelines.
⦁    Facilitate internal clearance processes and ensure timely delivery of speeches, including translation where required.

C. Strategic Advisory Support

⦁    Coordinate with the Communication teams to provide strategic advice to the Regional Director on messaging, tone, and positioning in speeches and public interventions.
⦁    Identify opportunities for advocacy and visibility through speeches and high-level engagements.

D. Knowledge Management

⦁    Maintain a repository of speeches, talking points, and messaging frameworks for institutional learning and reuse.
⦁    Monitor emerging health priorities and regional developments to inform speech content.

Required qualifications

Education

Essential: Master's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Health, International Relations, or related field.
Desirable: Post-graduate training in Public Health, International Relations or Diplomacy. 

Experience

Essential: At least 7 years of relevant experience in Communication, Journalism, International Relations, Public Health, or related field.
Desirable: Demonstrated professional experience in both developing and developed country contexts, including public health or related fields. Experience across diverse institutional settings, such as the private sector, NGOs, UN system, or governmental health agencies. Experience in Speechwriting or Advocacy.

Competencies: 
WHO global Competency model: http://www.who.int/employment/WHO_competencies_EN.pdf?ua=1   

1. Teamwork
2. Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences            
3. Communication
4. Producing results.

Functional Knowledge and Skills
⦁    Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills. Strong ability to synthesize complex technical content into clear and accessible language. 
⦁    Knowledge of speechwriting standards, messaging frameworks, and diplomatic protocol.
⦁    Ability to manage multiple deadlines and shifting priorities effectively. 
⦁    Strong interpersonal and coordination skills. 
⦁    High level of discretion and political sensitivity. 
⦁    Sound understanding of global and regional public health issues.
⦁    Familiarity with WHO governance, policy processes, and communication practices.
 

Use of Language Skills

⦁    Essential: Expert knowledge of English and intermediate knowledge of French.
⦁    Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of Portuguese or any other UN official languages.  

Other Skills (e.g. IT)
Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook is required.

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 86,027 (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 3,248 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 who apply to this requisition and who have been or will be separated as a result of the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will be given special consideration’

• 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 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 WHO is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The 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.

• The 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 can request reasonable accommodations to enable participation in the recruitment process. Requests for reasonable accommodation should be sent through an email to [email protected]

• 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.

• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.

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• 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 [email protected].

• This post is subject to local recruitment and will be filled by persons recruited in the local commuting area of the duty station.

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