PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER [Temporary]

This position is located in News Section II in the News and Content Branch, News and Media

Division of the Department of Global Communications (DGC). The Section produces the daily UN News, features and magazine multimedia pieces for digital platforms, incorporating audio and video elements, as well as social media content. It serves as the news agency of the UN system worldwide, covering stories from the field, meetings of principal UN bodies, campaigns, events and activities. Overall, the News and Media Division delivers content in 9 languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Kiswahili, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, and Hindi). The incumbent reports to the Chief Editor, Dailies, UN News Section II.

This position is available as soon as possible until 22 September 2022 with possibility of extension.

Responsibilities

• Takes the lead in compiling top stories of the day, preparing strategy, planning and coordinating the production of a range of daily audio and multi-media content in promoting the universal ideals of the organization (e.g., global promotion initiatives, public information programmes across regions, broad-reaching subject specific issues, etc.); where appropriate, to media organizations and the public around the world.
• Identifies sources to promote and maintain regular communication with broadcasting organizations and seeks feedback on the use of programmes and products of the relevant language units.
• Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of public affairs issues related to the production of radio, online news, and related content for target audiences.
• Works in close collaboration with the unit chiefs, language news teams, video and social media teams, as well as the Chief of UN News Section I, to plan, coordinate and carry out content production of daily news and multimedia features, especially setting up news interviews for all languages.
• Organizes daily editorial meetings to identify all available multimedia content, and prioritize coverage of news and features.
• Organises daily (afternoon) planning meetings to highlight and discuss upcoiming issues, stories, and events.
• Provides editorial guidance – in consultation with the Chiefs in UN News – to all language teams and sources audio and social media content to accompany content production.
• Liaises with the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General for pertinent news information, guidance on editorial matters, and also information for planning purposes.
• Keeps abreast of latest developments in multimedia production, technological innovations and marketing techniques in the news and social media industries and ensures the successful integration of such tools in all platforms.
• Monitors campaign-related communications activities; 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.
• Builds information networks; plans and oversees maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on the United Nations; plans and develops outreach activities.
• Assists in the day-to-day operation of the Section to include participating in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the Section.
• Serves as Officer-in-Charge of the Section, as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of digital journalism. Demonstrates political awareness, judgment and knowledge of international affairs. Knowledge of digital editing technology and multimedia platforms. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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.

Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

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 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.

Experience in creating an editorial calendar for UN News and related content/coverage from across the News and Media Division by researching, coordinating and strategically planning news priorities from across the UN system is required.

Experience working in a daily digital news environment, with broadcasting and digital publishing background is required.

Experience with social media in a news environment is desirable.

Experience providing editorial guidance to a team and editing others’ writing in a newsroom context is desirable.

Experience working in an international media environment is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in English is required, knowledge of other official languages 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 temporarily available as soon as possible until 22 September 2022, with the 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.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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.