Communications Support Officer

World Health Organization; Metro Manila; On-site; PHP 1,645,000 - 2,011,000; Full time

Job summary

World Health Organization Philippines seeks a National Professional Officer in communications to advance public health messaging and stakeholder engagement. You will design and implement comprehensive communication strategies with CO, regional HQ, DOH HPB, and partners.

Responsibilities include coordinating media relations, events, digital content, and advocacy products; disseminating WHO activities; and building networks with media and national counterparts.

Qualifications

• University degree in communications or related field.
• Minimum two years delivering national-level communications strategies.
• English and local language proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Develop and support implementation of communication strategies and plans.
• Support WHO corporate communication strategy and engagement with partners.
• Identify marketable subjects and develop advocacy products.
• Coordinate outreach through WHO website, media, and social channels.
• Organize events, media briefings, and maintain media networks.
• Collaborate with national stakeholders and DOH/HPB for campaigns.
• Provide training for WHO staff in communications and media sensitization.

Skills

Communication

Media relations

Social media

Public relations

International relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications or public health

Tools

MS Office

CMS

Graphic design

Video production

Social listening

Analytics

Job description

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

• To increase awareness of current and emerging public health issues and WHO recommendations and activities through the design and implementation of a comprehensive communication strategy for the CO in the context of current WHO guidelines and policies;


• To help disseminate relevant findings and lessons learned from international and local initiatives;


• To assist in the planning, development, refinement, dissemination and evaluation of health education and health promotion activities and materials;


• To promote improvements in programme communications and advocate for policy action;


• To strengthen capacity for effective coordination and communication activities (including relations with the media) during outbreaks and emergencies; and


• To support effective internal communication, ensuring that the WHO Philippines workforce is aware of key initiatives and developments.

Description Of Duties

• Develop and support the implementation of communication strategies and plans to raise awareness of key health issues and encourage appropriate actions to address them, in coordination with relevant staff in the CO, regional and/or headquarters communication focal points, the Department of Health (DOH) Health Promotion Bureau (HPB) and other relevant counterparts.


• Support implementation of the WHO corporate communication strategy to improve understanding and visibility of the Organization’s programmes and achievements at country level, and encourage engagement and support from partners.


• Identify marketable subjects/success stories and develop communications and advocacy products including for partnerships and resource mobilization initiatives.


• Support optimal outreach and dissemination to target audiences on suitable channels and platforms, including the WHO website, traditional and social media.


• Organize events, campaigns and media briefings, coordinating between journalists and WHO experts, as required.


• Build and maintain productive networks and contacts with the media and key national communication counterparts to ensure optimal coverage of key health issues and WHO’s work.


• Apply, as a national of the country or territory, knowledge of the linguistic, social and cultural norms of diverse national stakeholders and audiences to:
  
  
  • (i) support the development/updating of content and stakeholder linkages for the WHO country office; and
  
  
  • (ii) the sensitive design and delivery of effective communication products and activities, including through the website, events, social media and media engagements.
  
  
  
  


• Support regular monitoring of media and social media, tracking audience/target group perceptions of the Organization, identifying potential reputational risks and proposing risk-mitigation communications measures to CO leadership.


• Collaborate with the DOH/HPB and other national stakeholders, development and other strategic partners to plan, produce, disseminate and evaluate campaigns to improve health outcomes and share information on national health and development priorities. Advocate for organizational priorities and represent WHO in the United Nations Communication Group for the Philippines.


• Support specialized emergency or multi-hazard risk communications, social mobilization, and community engagement, in preparation for, during and after public health crises, emergencies and outbreaks.


• Support country office leadership on strategic external and internal communications, with sensitivity to national social and cultural norms, where required.


• Coordinate and deliver communication and media-sensitization training for WHO country office staff.

Required Qualifications

Education

Essential: A university degree (bachelor’s or higher) in communication, journalism, marketing, public health, political science, international relations, or a similar field.

Desirable: Advanced degree or other formal qualification in communication, public health or a related area. This may include courses in strategic communication, graphic design, audiovisual production, and/or social media. Training in health promotion, risk communication, social listening and/or community engagement.

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/.

Experience

Enhanced WHO Global Competency Model: who-enhanced-competence.pdf

Essential: A minimum of two years relevant work experience in delivering communications strategies, services and products at the national level.

Desirable: Experience with the World Health Organization, other United Nations agency, government agency (e.g. Department of Health) or NGO.

Skills

Expertise in communication, media, social media, web, advocacy, public relations, journalistic writing, international relations, effective internal and external networking.

Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team and adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds and maintain a high standard of personal conduct in line with current guidelines for international public servants.

WHO Competencies

• Teamwork


• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences


• Communication


• Creating an empowering and motivating environment


• Producing results


• Use of Language Skills

Essential

Expert knowledge of English and local language.

Information Technology (IT) And Other Skills

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office software packages, web content management systems, graphic design and video production software, social listening and social media analytics.

REMUNERATION

Remuneration comprises an annual base salary starting at PHP 1,827,954 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable) and 30 days of annual leave.

Additional Information

• Staff members separated due to the 2025 Prioritization and Realignment Process will receive special consideration according to the applicable regulatory framework


• 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.


• 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 [e-mail] 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.


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


• For information on WHO's operations please visit: http://www.who.int.


• 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 [e-mail].


• This is a National Professional Officer position. Therefore, only applications from nationals of the country where the duty station is located will be accepted. Applicants who are not nationals of this country will not be considered.


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Grade

NO-B

Contractual Arrangement

Fixed-term appointment

Contract Duration (Years, Months, Days)

2 years (Any extension will be subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funds)

Job Posting

Oct 6, 2026, 8:02:30 AM

Closing Date

Oct 21, 2026, 3:59:00 AM

Primary Location

Philippines-Manila

Organization

WP_PHL Philippines

Schedule

Full-time

IMPORTANT NOTICE

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