Background
Special Notice
Please follow the link below to submit your application. All applications must be submitted using the link below.
The link is as follows:
The United Nation Secretariat maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations.
The purpose of this job opening is to generate a list of qualified candidates for inclusion in the P5 Senior Public Information Officer roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection.
Org. Setting and Reporting
These positions are located in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and Special Political missions. The Senior Public Information Officer typically reports to the Principal Public Information Officer in the Mission.
Duties and Responsibilities
(The following duties are generic and may differ depending on the requirements of the mission):
- Conceptualize, design and execute the mission’s integrated communications strategy, under the supervision of the Head of Mission, including its evaluation and regular updating, covering the mission's internal and external strategic communications activities;
- Develop and implement the mission crisis communication activities; .
- Formulates and updates, in consultation with mission leadership, the substantive work programme of the public information component of the mission, Coordinates with various mission components, and with UN agencies, funds and programmes and partners, as appropriate;
- Ensures regular, timely and professional multimedia communications. Provides pertinent communications advice and input for mission leadership interactions with all key stakeholders, such as non-governmental and civil society organizations;
- Interacts with local, regional and international media and establishes and maintains cooperative relationships;
- Advises mission leadership, senior staff and other mission personnel, including in the military and police, on strategic communication matters;
- Develops and implements a regular system of media monitoring and bulletins to meet the needs of the Head of Mission and senior leadership;
- Serves as lead spokesperson for the mission; gives press briefings and interviews to national and international media; drafts and issues press releases, official statements and communication materials on behalf of the mission as necessary;
- Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; participates in hiring process from approving terms of reference to selection of appropriate experts or consultants
- Oversees public information outputs to ensure that they meet high-quality standards, in accordance with UN policy objectives and rules and regulations, and are evaluated for their effectiveness;
- Consult with and provides UN Headquarters communication entities with regular updates on mission activities;
- Maintains regular interaction and consults with public information personnel at UNHQ.
Competencies
Professionalism:
- Demonstrates knowledge and experience in the field of communication/public information, including at the managerial level;
- Discretion and judgment in applying expertise to complex and/or sensitive issues;
- Ability to hold high-level meetings and speak on behalf of the organization on issues relevant to any/all peacekeeping operations around the world;
- 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.
Judgment/Decision-making:
- Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly;
- Gathers relevant information before making a decision;
- Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them;
- Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization;
- Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information;
- Checks assumptions against facts;
- Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision;
- Makes tough decisions when necessary.
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;
- Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative;
- Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff;
- Appraises performance fairly.
Required Skills and Experience
Education:
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field;
- A first-level university degree with in combination two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience:
- A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required;
- Experience in managing multidisciplinary team is required.
Languages:
- English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat;
- For the position(s) advertised, fluency in oral and written French or English, with a good working knowledge of the other, is required;
- Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.
Assessment Method:
Evaluation of qualified candidates is likely to include a written assessment exercise followed by competency-based interview.
United Nations Considerations:
The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
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 applicant's bank accounts.
How to apply:
Use the link below:
"Arabic- and French-speakers, as well as qualified women, are particularly encouraged to apply".
"All applicants are kindly requested to make reference to "outreachforpeace" in their cover letter, to ensure appropriate follow-up".