This position is available as soon as possible through 31 December 2021 with the possibility of extension.
Responsibilities
Public Information Officer is responsible for the following duties:
- Takes the lead in strategy, planning and development in producing a range of English language multi-media content in promoting universal ideas of the organization (e.g. global promotion initiatives, public information programmes for a region, broad-reaching subject specific issues, etc.); where appropriate, to media organizations and the public around the world.
- Monitors and analyzes current events, public opinion and press, identifies issues and trends, and advises management on appropriate action/responses.
- Writes and edits news and multimedia feature materials on system-wide UN activities for posting on the UN News website and inclusion in other news-related products of the News Section.
- Ensures timely and accurate coverage of key United Nations developments at Headquarters and around the world, including through regular weekend duty shifts and evenings as needed.
- Identifies sources to promote and maintain regular communication with UN partners, broadcasting organisations, media outlets and seeks feedback on the use of content produced by the relevant language unit.
- Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on issues related to the production of multimedia (including audio) and online news, and related content for target audiences.
- Prepares or oversees preparation of the production of news and feature content, performing digital editing and management of audiovisual files, handling operational and editorial guidance to the staff, assigning and editing news stories and ensuring all content is in line with editorial guidelines.
- Keeps abreast of latest developments in multimedia production, technological innovations and marketing techniques in the online, radio broadcast and social media industries and ensures the successful application to the productions in the relevant language unit.
- Evaluates results and impact of communications activities using analytics tools; reports on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN.
- Represents the institution in meetings and conferences planning and implementing promotional efforts including media coverage through effective liaison with media contacts and broadcasting organizations on major issues and events concerning the organization. •Is responsible for the substantive and administrative activities of the unit, providing procedural advice, and improving reporting systems.
- Supervises the work of the unit. Manages performance of the staff by discussing individual work plans and evaluating job performance.
Competencies
Professionalism:
Knowledge of digital journalism. Demonstrates political awareness and knowledge of international current affairs. Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines. Ability to write, produce and edit compelling online news and multimedia content, with attention to accuracy and political sensitivity, making use of sound, images and words, and to make effective on-air presentations. Ability to write online news and produce multimedia content in English. Knowledge of digital editing technology and of multimedia platforms. Demonstrates discretion in applying expertise to complex and/or sensitive issues. Ability to handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Communication:
Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Teamwork:
Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals. Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others. Places team agenda before personal agenda. Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position-Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Managerial Competencies:
Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision making authority. Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member. Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills. Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines. Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff. Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required.
Experience writing text-based news stories, creating multimedia content, producing and narrating/voicing programs in the relevant language (English) is required.
Experience in working in a daily news environment, including creating multimedia and social media ready content is required.
Experience in providing editorial leadership and editing online copy under daily deadline pressure in an international newsroom context is required.
Experience in digital desk-top audio editing, content management posting, micro-video creation and digital publishing is desirable.
Experience in carrying out news distribution and evaluation of dissemination methods, compiling web analytics and social media metrics is desirable.
Experience in managing newsroom transformations is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the languages of the UN Secretariat. For this post fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is available until 31 December 2021 with possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 April 2021, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
United Nations Considerations
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. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.
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