Senior Communications Consultant

Purpose of consultancy

To help enhance Unitaid’s external communications through development of written content for Unitaid’s website, media outreach, social media and other channels, as well as support with strategy development for key projects as needed.

Background

To support the implementation of Unitaid’s communications strategy and related advocacy efforts, the organization requires support with content production, particularly to support increased needs related to the 20th anniversary.

Deliverables

The consultant is expected to complete the following deliverables:

Content creation:

• 5-10 feature stories for the website. This includes interviewing internal and external stakeholders to understand the story, working with grantees to source imagery and/or testimonials from the project sites, drafting, reviews and finalization. The communications team will work with the consultant to identify story themes and angles on the donor priority topics
  Expected by: Delivered on a rolling basis

• 5-10 additional pieces of longer form written content for internal and external channels. This could include op-eds for external placement, community blog series, explainers, Q&As and press releases for the website.
  Expected by: Delivered on a rolling basis

  Strategic communications guidance:

• Support the development of the communications strategy with senior guidance on specific topics and key moments, including developing feature pitches in the media for the 20th anniversary year.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational Qualifications:

Essential:

Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, media, international relations or related field.

Experience

Essential:

• At least 15 years of relevant communications experience, including a minimum of five years at the international level.
• Proven track record in developing and delivering high-impact communications strategies and content, tailored for diverse platforms and audiences.
• Demonstrated experience securing placement of op-eds and pitching feature stories in international and national media outlets, including sourcing story content, identifying compelling narratives and engaging with journalists.
• Experience collaborating with a wide range of partners, including media organizations, governments, NGOs, and international institutions.

Desirable:

• Proven experience managing sensitive issues and providing strategic advice during crises or reputational challenges.
• Strong experience using digital, social and traditional media strategically to amplify messages, engage audiences, and support organizational objectives.

Skills/Knowledge:

Essential:

• Excellent writing skills combined with a delibstrated ability to make complex technical issues understandable to non-specialist audiences while balancing accuracy for specialist audiences.
• Strong strategic thinking, analytical and planning capabilities, coupled with political and cultural awareness.
• Demonstrable leadership of multi-channel communications, audience segmentation and message framing to support resource mobilization.
• Good knowledge of global health issues, particularly HIV, TB and malaria, pandemic preparedness and response, and women’s and children’s health.
• Ability to work autonomously in a fast-paced work environment to short deadlines and produce results under pressure.
• Demonstrated ability to work smoothly and flexibly as a freelance consultant – finding information and resources and effectively self-onboarding.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively and independently.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and evaluate integrated, multi-platform communications campaigns.
• Ability to work independently to identify, research and produce high-quality content quickly.

Languages and level required:

Essential:

• Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Home based – Off-site.

Travel

Travel will not be required.

Remuneration and budget (travel costs are excluded):

Remuneration:

Band level D - USD 626 - 720 per day

Living expenses (A living expense is payable to on-site consultants who are internationally recruited):

N/A

Expected duration of contract:

11 months part-time. Selected candidate is expected to work flexibly as needs require; on average 2 days per week.

Additional Information

• This vacancy notice may be used to identify candidates for other similar consultancies at the same level.
• Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
• A written test may be used as a form of screening.
• If your candidature is retained for 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.
• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
• WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
• WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
• Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.
• 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.
• Consultants shall perform the work as independent contractors in a personal capacity, and not as a representative of any entity or authority. The execution of the work under a consultant contract does not create an employer/employee relationship between WHO and the Consultant.
• WHO shall have no responsibility whatsoever for any taxes, duties, social security contributions or other contributions payable by the Consultant. The Consultant shall be solely responsible for withholding and paying any taxes, duties, social security contributions and any other contributions which are applicable to the Consultant in in each location/jurisdiction in which the work hereunder is performed, and the Consultant shall not be entitled to any reimbursement thereof by WHO.
• Consultants working in Switzerland must register with the applicable Swiss cantonal tax authorities and social security authorities, within the prescribed timeframes (Guidelines issued by the Swiss Mission are available at: https://www.eda.admin.ch/missions/mission-onu-geneve/en/home/manual-regime-privileges-and-immunities/introduction/Manuel-personnes-sans-privileges-et-immunites-carte-H/Non fonctionnaires et stagiaires.html