SENIOR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

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Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Programme Support Section (PSS), within the Information Centres Service (ICS), Campaigns and Country Operations Division (CCOD), Department of Global Communications (DGC). The PSS provides substantive and programmatic support to the public information and communications activities of the global network of United Nations information centres (UNICs) including support on strategic planning and crisis communications. The incumbent is under the general supervision of the Director of CCOD and reports directly to the Chief of ICS and maintains a close working relationship with the Office of the USG/DGC.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties:

• Leads on and provides guidance to UN System and other DGC entities on the UN communications priorities, on strategic planning and crisis communications, in close coordination with OUSG.
• Provides policy guidance to the Director of CCOD, the Chief of ICS, and/or UNIC Directors, on the implementation of the UN Global Communications Strategy. Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Section in support of related priorities and campaigns.
• Ensures that substantive work programmes and programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating diverse resources in the Section and/or the UNICs with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate.
• Liaises with the Development Coordination Office to facilitate close cooperation and alignment of communications priorities, strategic planning and crisis communications between UNICs and Resident Coordinator offices (RCOs); supports capacity building across the global network of RCO and UNIC communications officers and develops synergies within regions between UNIC Directors and communications officers.
• Manages, supervises, and carries out the work programme of the Section under his/her responsibility; provides programmatic and substantive reviews of contributions prepared by others at Headquarters and/or in the field.
• Provides substantive input in the preparation of materials (e.g., fact sheets, talking points, briefing notes, etc.) and/or reports for presentation at Headquarters and/or in the field to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee on Information, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly, and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. Contributes to the reporting to intergovernmental bodies on budget/programme performance or on programmatic/substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports on the work of UN information centres.
• Ensures that the outputs produced by the global UNIC network maintain high standards of quality and that reports are clear, objective, and based on comprehensive data to facilitate identifying the impact of the local communication campaigns. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Section under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to ensure they comply with the relevant mandates. Prepares inputs for the work programme of the global network of UN information centres, determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. Ensures the timely reporting of activities by DGC field offices through the Centres Information Management System (CIMS).
• Carries out programmatic and/or administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the Section, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget and/or programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (e- Performance), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates, etc. Recruits staff for the Section, and/or the global UNIC network, taking due account of geographical and gender balance and other institutional values. Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision. Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Section and the UNICs and across organizational boundaries, both at Headquarters and in the field.
• Represents the Organization at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive-related issues, particularly those related to the work of the UNICs. Participates in international, regional, or national meetings and provides programmatic and/or substantive expertise on relevant issues, or holds programmatic, substantive and/or organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions at Headquarters and/or in the field.
• Performs other relevant duties, as required.
  
  

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrated knowledge of strategic and crisis communications as well as public information techniques to coordinate and implement effective communications activities targeting a wide range of audiences at the global level. Knowledge of the operation and mandates of the Department of Global Communications, the global network of UNICs, or public information / communication networks within comparable international entities. Ability to make decisions with an eye to the impact on others; ability to apply rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines in work situations; ability to manage resources, including personnel and budget, to achieve organizational goals. 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.
• 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.
• ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.
• VISION: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.
  
  

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in journalism, communication, public information, international relations, or a related field is required. 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.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in public information, communication, journalism, international relations, or related area is required. A minimum of four (4) years international experience in strategic and crisis communications, public speaking and working with the media is required. Experience providing communications support to a complex operation with a field component is required. Experience working in communications or public information in the United Nations common system or a comparable international organization is desirable. Experience in resource administration, including budget preparation, recruitment, and conflict management is desirable. Experience working with both traditional and social media platforms is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English, both oral and written, is required. Knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity 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 under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 March 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu. Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter. Individual Contractors and Consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for or be appointed to any professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions, within six months of the end of their current or most recent service. For such positions, at least six months need to have elapsed between the end of a consultancy or individual contract and the time of application and consideration for an appointment as a staff member under the Staff Rules and Regulations of the United Nations. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.