Communications Officer (Emergencies and Resilience) – OIE Paris, France

Salary: 2.489 € net/month

Duration: 18 months**

Context:

The position offers opportunities to work on exciting and impactful issues at global level to improve capacity to deal with emergencies and to improve the sustainability of laboratories. The position offers international exposure and the successful applicant will be part of a dynamic team working with other international organisations including WHO, FAO, INTERPOL, and the G7 Global Partnership against Weapons of Mass Destruction. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work with, and learn from, a diverse team working on topics including pandemic preparedness, wildlife, health security and sustainable capacity development.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide. Its headquarters are based in Paris. It has 182 Member Countries and has 13 regional offices on 5 continents..

The OIE Communications Department covers corporate communication, marketing, campaigns, multimedia, events, relations with the media and the OIE’s networks. The Department activities are aimed at a wide range of target audiences, technical and non-technical. It works in close liaison with the scientific and technical departments of the Organisation. Its work also focuses on strengthening communication capacities of OIE staff, representations and member countries.

The OIE’s Preparedness and Resilience Department supports international efforts to prevent animal health events (naturally occurring, deliberate, or accidental) from becoming animal health or public health disasters. This involves working with Member Countries and international partners including FAO, WHO and INTERPOL. Activities of the Department include working with experts to develop effective approaches for emergency management and improving the sustainability of diagnostic laboratories. The Department promotes a One Health approach in the management of animal health risks, including wildlife health. The Department also contributes to the development and implementation of OIE standards and guidelines on animal diseases including zoonoses (diseases spread from animals to humans) and those in wildlife.

The Communications Officer would support this overall work of the organization and its partners. **

Positioning and reporting

Under the authority of the Director General and the direct supervision of the Head of the Communication Department, and in close cooperation with other officers in the Communications , Preparedness and Resilience, and Engagement and Investment Departments.**

Job purpose

The Communications Officer for Emergencies and Resilience optimises awareness of the OIE and understanding of its mandate by promoting visibility of its activities on Preparedness and Resilience. He/she is responsible for developing and implementing communication strategies in line with the organisational strategy. He/she is in charge of producing or coordinating the production of communication tools (aligned with target groups) and raising awareness of both general public and professionals.

Missions and activities

Develop topical communication strategies in line with the OIE institutional communication strategy

· Work closely with technical teams to be conversant on the topics of emergencies, resilience, preparedness, laboratories

· Work as a team member of the Communication Department to align with the OIE’s corporate communication approaches,

· Evaluate communication needs in line with existing projects,

· Develop the communication strategies, identifying target groups, messages and timeframe for implementation,

· Work to deliver products within a specified time frame,

· Work within a specified budget and monitor expenditures,

· Develop and use indicators to monitor the implementation and impact of the communication strategy,

· Provide feedback on achievement of objectives, raise relevant issues, and propose changes as relevant,

· Coordinate with technical counterparts (regular face-to-face and remote meetings),

· Provide recommendations and plan for a follow-up strategy after project cycles end,

· Contribute to project progress reports that are shared with senior management, donors and partners.

Develop marketing approach to disseminate core messages

· Develop a PESO marketing strategy and implementation plan (e.g. including objectives, schedule, core messages content and communications medium),

· Propose and support the design and introduction of innovative communication tools and materials for digital distribution (data storytelling, innovative narratives and other digital products,) adapted to target audiences,

· Manage and participate in the development of written material (articles, reports, concept notes, factsheets, leaflets),

· Coordinate and manage media relations, partly in collaboration with external agencies,

· Support corporate communications work and transversal tasks of the Communications Department as required.

Oversee the development of material by external providers

· Develop terms of reference and technical specifications for communication consultants/agencies, in line with the specified budget,

· Contribute to the selection and contracting of external suppliers,

· Define overall schedule of communication projects, expected delivery deadlines and milestones,

· Coordinate the work by the contracted supplier,

· Ensure work remains within specified budget,

· Ensure delivery of products within agreed timeframe and to specification.

Qualifications and Experience

Required qualifications

· A postgraduate degree or diploma in communications and at least 5 years work experience in the field of communications/external relations.

or

· A postgraduate degree or diploma in a public health, life sciences, humanities or law enforcement-related field with 5 years’ experience in the delivery and/or management of communications projects and/or international public relations,

· Experience in the development or delivery of communication products in the field of environmental, scientific and/or economic data,

· Exposure at international level.

Additional experience

· Experience in public health and/or veterinary public health and/or plant health and/or laboratories

Requirements:

Technical skills

· Excellent command of English, both written and oral,

· Strong competencies in the use of the Microsoft Office pack,

· Proficiency in web-based applications and media computer tools,

· Advanced knowledge of digital marketing approaches and techniques.

Additional skills (assets)

· Knowledge of French,

· International communications experience in North Africa, the Middle East, and South East Asia.

Interpersonal skills

· Proactive, positive attitude, and creative individual committed to the issues at hand and being an integral part of a multi-cultural, goal-oriented team.

· Demonstrated skills in interpersonal relations and the ability to work constructively with all colleagues and key stakeholders, including the media,

· Demonstrated ability to be highly organised, independent, proactive, and a diplomatic professional,

· Capacity to work with multiple team members in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Working conditions

This is a full-time position based at the OIE Headquarters in Paris. It requires flexibility to travel internationally and long hours in a seated position at a computer.