General
Description of assignment title: Communications
Associate
Assignment country: Micronesia (Federated States of)
Duty stations: Pohnpei
Work location: On UN premises
Expected start date: 07/15/2026
Duration: 12 monthsLong-term benefits and allowances
Sustainable Development Goal: 3. Good health and
well-being
Host entity: WHO
Modality: Onsite
Type: National
Volunteer category: Specialist UCoS from Apr2026
Work schedule: Full-time
Number of Assignments: 1
Details
Mission and objectives:
- WHO, working with other UN agencies and development partners,
is supporting the Government in pursuing its national health
strategic priorities. WHO's technical cooperation in FSM is
currently focused on four strategic areas as per the FSM- WHO
Country Cooperation Strategy 2018-2022
(https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/259918); namely: 1) to
achieve universal health coverage by building resilient and
sustainable health systems to enhance the availability of needs-
based health services in the country; 2) to build International
Health Regulation (2005) core capacities for proactive preparedness
in health emergencies and natural disasters; 3) to build capacity
for Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevention and control; and 4)
to control communicable diseases.
- The C4H support officer will be based at the WHO office for
Norther Micronesia housed in the Department of Health and Social
Affairs (DHSA), Palikir, Pohnpei, FSM. The office supports the
government of FSM primarily, and also supports the governments of
Marshall Islands and Palau remotely.
Context:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) was established on 7 April
1948 as the directing and coordinating authority for international
health within the United Nations system. The Federated States of
Micronesia (FSM) joined WHO on 14 August 1991 as a Member State. In
August 2010, WHO opened a Country Liaison Office in Palikir,
Pohnpei to provide country-level support to the Government of FSM,
the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Palau and
coordinate technical assistance and partnerships across priority
public health areas. In FSM, WHO's mandate is to support the
Ministry/Department of Health and Social Affairs and partners to
strengthen health systems, prevent and control communicable and
noncommunicable diseases, improve preparedness and response to
outbreaks and emergencies, and advance universal health coverage
and health security in line with national priorities and the WHO
Constitution.
Task description:
- Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of
Partnerships and External Relations Officer or his/her designated
mandated representative(s), the UNV Communications Associate
will:
- Communications, Visibility, and Storytelling
- o Support the development and implementation of WHO country
communication plans aligned with regional and global
strategies.
- o Draft, edit, and produce communication materials, including
news stories, press releases, briefs, talking points, and
human-interest/impact stories.
- o Document WHO-supported activities, including success stories
and best practices, demonstrating contributions to health outcomes
and SDGs.
- o Ensure consistent application of WHO corporate branding and
visibility guidelines across all outputs.
- Digital and Social Media Management
- o Manage and regularly update WHO country digital platforms,
including the website and approved social media channels (e.g.,
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn).
- o Develop engaging multimedia content (text, photography, and
short videos) to promote WHO programmes, campaigns, and
events.
- o Monitor social media engagement, respond to basic inquiries
where appropriate, and provide basic analytics and insights to
inform communication activities.
- Media, Advocacy, and Outreach
- o Support media engagement activities, including coordination
of interviews, press briefings, and media outreach.
- o Maintain and regularly update media and partner contact
lists.
- o Contribute to the development of advocacy materials such as
information sheets, promotional content, and campaign
materials.
- o Support communication-related activities during outreach
events and campaigns.
- Programme and Emergency Communication Support
- o Work closely with technical teams to translate complex health
information into clear and accessible messages for diverse
audiences.
- o Assist in communication activities during public health
emergencies, campaigns, and high-visibility events, under
supervision.
- o Capture and produce multimedia content (photos/videos) of
WHO-supported activities for visibility and reporting
purposes.
- Coordination, Partnerships, and Reporting
- o Support coordination with WHO Regional Office and
Headquarters communications teams to ensure alignment and
consistency.
- o Support engagement with UN communication networks (e.g., UN
Communications Group) and joint communication initiatives where
relevant.
- o Support coordination with partners on communication aspects
of joint events and campaigns, as required.
- o Support reporting on communication outputs and results.
- o Perform other related duties as required.
- Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the
supervisor.
Eligibility criteria
Age: 18 - 80
Required experience: 3 years
Nationality: Candidate must be a national, legal resident
or hold refugee status in the country of assignment.
Assignment requirements
Relevant experience:
Languages:
- English, Level: Fluent, Desirable
Required education level:
- Technical/vocational diploma in communications, journalism,
public relations, public health, international relations, or a
related field.
Competencies and values:
- Accountability and Professionalism: demonstrated understanding
of operations relevant to WHO; technical capabilities or knowledge
relevant or transferrable to WHO procedures and rules; discretion,
political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients;
ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate
with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions;
where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and
ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to
accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently
under established procedures; ability to manage information
objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and
client-oriented;
- Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate
effectively across organizational boundaries; excellent
interpersonal skills; ability to establish and maintain effective
partnerships and harmonious working relations in a multi-cultural,
multi-ethnic, mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect
for diversity; sensitivity and adaptability to culture, gender,
religion, nationality and age; commitment to implementing the goal
of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full
involvement of women and men in all aspects of UN operations;
ability to achieve common goals and provide guidance or training to
colleagues;
- Planning and organizing: effective organizational and
problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work
in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities
and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work
under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple
concurrent projects/activities;
- Communication and storytelling for impact: proven interpersonal
skills; good spoken and written communication skills, including
ability to prepare clear and concise reports; ability to conduct
presentations, articulate options and positions concisely; ability
to make and defend recommendations; ability to communicate and
empathize with staff (including national staff), military
personnel, volunteers, counterparts and local interlocutors coming
from very diverse backgrounds; capacity to transfer information and
knowledge to a wide range of different target groups;
- Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in
potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical
hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere
environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within
the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations
within the area of operations as necessary;
- c) Language skills
- Choose an item. spoken and written English is required;
- Choose an item. Any of the FSM local languages is an
advantage;
Skills and experience:
- Demonstrated experience or strong interest in communications,
digital media, storytelling, or development work (0-3 years or
equivalent volunteer experience preferred).
- Strong writing and editing skills in English; knowledge of
local languages is an asset.
- Familiarity with social media platforms, multimedia content
creation (photography/video), and basic digital analytics.
- Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment and
collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
- Experience or interest in public health, NCDs, climate and
health, or community engagement in island or resource-constrained
settings is an asset.
Area(s) of expertise:
- Communication, Health, Development programmes
Driving license:
Other information