Job Description - Director, Communications (2504374)
Director, Communications - ( 2504374 )
Grade : D2
Contractual Arrangement : Fixed-term appointment
Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days) : Two years
Job Posting
Closing Date
Jan 15, 2026, 10:59:00 PM
Organization
HQ/DCO Communications
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 Department will serve as WHO's central hub for political engagement, global advocacy, strategic communications, and resource mobilization. Its goal is to strengthen WHO's global influence through high-level representation, unified messaging, and sustainable financing. The department will advocate for health at the highest political levels, represent the Director‑General in key forums, and drive political commitment to health priorities. It will lead a modern communications strategy to boost WHO's visibility and credibility, while coordinating resource mobilization to align with the Programme Budget, diversify funding, and enhance transparency. By integrating these functions, WHO will speak with one voice, build political support, and secure the resources needed to fulfil its global health mission.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
* Lead the development and articulation of a strategic global communications vision and implementation of a WHO global communications strategy.
* Advise the Director‑General and Senior Leadership on politically sensitive and strategic matters related to the Organization's communication and public relations strategy in responding on a diverse array of complex global public health matters and emergencies.
* Provide strategic direction in the design and development of cutting‑edge communication policies and strategies, ensuring consistent messaging and brand alignment across Headquarters, Regional and Country Offices.
* Oversee, monitor and evaluate the impact of communication activities, products and engagements throughout the organization in order to improve them.
* Establish robust mechanisms for impact assessment, performance monitoring and continuous improvement.
* Ensure a strategic, coherent, mutually reinforcing plan that strengthens the Organization's goals, reputation and impact.
* Champion the Organization's global visibility and credibility, offering authoritative guidance to senior leadership to position WHO as the preeminent voice in global public health and a model of communication excellence.
* Direct the strategic development and implementation of the Department's communication policies and strategies across the three levels of the Organization.
* Lead the Organization's global media and crisis communication strategy, proactively identifying communication strategies to manage and/or leverage reputational risks and opportunities to promote WHO visibility and/or protect the Organization's reputation.
* Ensure timely, transparent and effective engagement with global audiences during public health emergencies and high‑stakes events.
* Lead development of a broader strategy on addressing misinformation and disinformation organization-wide to counteract potential negative influences on WHO's strategic role.
* Direct and manage the staff and resources of the Department of Communications.
* Oversee strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation of the Department's portfolio, establishing global benchmarks and accountability frameworks to drive excellence and innovation in communication practices.
* Build and sustain high‑level partnerships with global media, Member States, UN agencies, donors and strategic stakeholders, leveraging these relationships to amplify WHO's voice and advance its global health mandate through a dynamic communications strategy.
* Support resource mobilisation efforts through targeted communications campaigns; donor engagement strategies that are designed to support and strengthen WHO's presence and impact at global, regional and country levels, ensuring that newly secured resources are strategically aligned.
* Perform all other related duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
* Essential: An advanced university degree in communication, journalism, public relations, international relations, public health, business management, social sciences or a related field.
* Desirable: A PhD in one of the above‑mentioned fields; specialization in marketing, business management, international/public relations or a related field; focus on journalism or a related area.
Experience
* Minimum of 15 years of professional experience in the management of communications and/or public relations programmes, including experience providing senior‑level communications advice and guidance to senior management/decision makers, managing human and financial resources, as well as experience in developing and establishing communications policies and strategies.
* Demonstrated experience at the international level.
* Desirable: Experience working with or within multilateral organisations or UN agencies.
Skills
* Strong skills in developing and establishing communication policies and strategies.
* Excellent skills and ability to manage diverse teams and financial resources.
* Strong understanding and skills in communications, public relations including media production and branding.
* Concrete knowledge and skills in journalism.
* Ability to engage, build consensus and communicate effectively and diplomatically with Member States, partners and media/news outlets.
* Commitment to collaborate effectively with other key partners in the Health Subject area.
* Globally respected level of technical expertise and knowledge in communications, demonstrating strong creativity and innovation.
* Proven leadership skills in strategic thinking and managing the planning and coordination of communications/public relations/media programmes.
* Technical/Scientific knowledge and skills.
* Proven ability in leading high‑level political negotiations and representing an organisation at the global level.
* Expert in global communications trends and best practices, including the ability to foresee problems and develop organisational responses.
* Proven success in strategic communications, global advocacy and resource mobilisation.
* Strong leadership, diplomatic and interpersonal skills.
* Deep knowledge of the global health landscape and multilateral systems.
Use of Language Skills
* Essential: Expert knowledge of English.
* Desirable: Intermediate knowledge of French.
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 128,422 (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 9,632 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 have been separated as a result of the 2025 Prioritisation and Realignment Process will be given special consideration.
Special selection procedures may apply.
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/recognised in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (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 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 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.
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 putting 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 Organisation, 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 Organisation throughout the world.
WHO also offers a 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.
WHO has a smoke‑free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
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