Chief of Section (Chief, Communications and Results Reporting Section)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Development Coordination Office (UNDCO), which is the backbone of the Resident Coordinator (RC) System, and reports to the Deputy Director of UNDCO). This position is part of DCO’s Senior Management Team and entails UN Communications Group Principal duties. The Chief of Communications and Results Reporting leads on public engagement, overseeing DCO-backed digital platforms, ensuring adherence to UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), DCO and UN Country Teams (UNCT) branding and standards; developing communications policy guidance, and fostering collaboration with key stakeholder. This position also co-chairs DCO’s work on knowledge, information, and data, aligning efforts with UN 2.0 and boosting transparency and accountability.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Chief of Communications and Results Reporting Section will be responsible for the following: • Leads the Communications and Results Reporting Section and guides its work planning and budgeting activities. • Directs and guides the section’s performance to increase public knowledge of UN development system results through communications channels, engagement and outreach. • Serves as lead spokesperson for DCO and the Resident Coordinator system as needed; provides technical and policy advice on highly complex public information and communications issues; develops and disseminates best practices. • Provides policy guidance to the UNDCO senior management on overall strategies for enhanced strategic communication and results reporting of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) and UNDCO/RC system. • Leads the design and delivery of a common communications strategy for the United Nations Development system (UNDS) to advance public knowledge and impact of organizational results, positioning the UNDS as a world-class provider of sustainable development solutions. • Oversees the management of communications initiatives through UN country operations and to advance UN Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG) priorities. • Manages the editorial review and ensures sign-off for global communications in the UNSDG, and UNDCO communications and results reporting publications and products. • Oversees the creation of high-quality communication materials, including press releases, reports, newsletters, presentations, and digital content. • Ensures communications materials are consistent with the aligned UNSDG, DCO, UN Country Team (UNCT) branding and messaging, in par with the Sustainable Development Goals acceleration efforts. • Manages the representation of the DCO/RC system in multi-lateral data, communications and transparency fora related to operational development activities, to ensure the evolution of transparency standards to benefit the public accountability of the UN development system. • Scans, prototypes and tests methods for continuous improvement in the UNSDG’s and DCO-backed public accountability for results. • Keeps abreast of latest emerging trends and innovative approaches in communications and results reporting. • Plans and oversees the management of activities undertaken by the Section; ensures that substantive communications work programmes and programmed activities are carried out in a timely fashion, coordinating diverse projects in the Section, and, in liaison with other organizations of the United Nations System, donors and agencies as appropriate. • Works with the Department of Global Communications (DGC) to ensure the rollout of the UNDS reform-backed UN Information Centre-Resident Coordination Office integration. • Co-convenes a global network of communications officers in RCO-UNICs alongside DGC • Provides substantive input in the preparation of UNDCO position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Administrative and Budget Questions, Committee for Programme Coordination, Economic and Social Council, the General Assembly and other policy-making organs, as appropriate. • Contributes to the reporting of UNDCO to intergovernmental bodies on programme performance or on programmatic/ substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports. • Ensures that the outputs produced by the Section maintain high-quality standards; that reports are clear, objective and based on comprehensive data. Ensures that all outputs produced by the Section under his/her supervision meet required standards before completion to comply with the relevant mandates. • Prepares inputs for the work programme of the Section determining priorities, and allocating resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery. • Carries out programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the functioning Section, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (E-PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates. • Recruits staff for Section taking due account 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 across organizational boundaries. • Represents the Organization at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive-related issues. • Builds and maintains relationships with key stakeholders, including government officials, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), UN agencies, donors, and media. Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among stakeholders. • Leads the management of UNSDG and DCO digital communication platforms, including social media and websites, and ensures UNCT alignment of their digital presence with DCO-backed policies. Ensures effective use of digital tools to reach diverse audiences. • Manages and mentors a team of communication professionals in DCO and RCO. Provides guidance, training, and performance feedback to ensure high performance and professional development. • Develops and implements crisis communication plans to support Resident Coordinators effectively respond to emergencies and unforeseen events. Ensures timely and accurate communication during crises. • articipates in the UN Communications Group meetings and decision-making sessions representing DCO/RC system. • Participates in international, regional or national meetings and provides programmatic/substantive expertise on an issue, or hold programmatic/substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: UNDCO Director and Deputy Director and other UNDOCO staff. Resident Coordinators and Resident Coordinator (RCO) staff Communications and Political Affairs Officers and counterparts within the UN Secretariat, Missions Heads and other UN offices, funds, programmes and specialized agencies. Representatives of Governments and representatives of non-governmental organizations. Chairs and members of intergovernmental bodies. External and internal communications networks and media outlets. Results expected: Produces high-quality outputs ensuring increased public knowledge and visibility of UN development system results though communications mediums, engagement and outreach. Ensures provision of policy guidance to the UNDCO senior management on overall strategies for enhanced communication and results reporting of the UNSDG and UNDCO. Provides substantive support in the servicing of various committees and intergovernmental bodies. Effectively develops staff under his/her supervision, including their on-going learning and development.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supervised. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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. • Planning& 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. • 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. • Judgement/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 the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communications, international affairs, public relations or similar field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in managing communications teams and providing high-level advice on strategic communications with international organizations is required. Experience with crisis communications is required. Proven skills in public relations program management is required. Experience managing communications with RCOs and/or UNCTs is desired. Experience in sustainable development, humanitarian settings and/or in politically sensitive environments is desired. Extensive knowledge of and experience with online, digital, non-print media, word processing, database, and related applications is desired.

Languages

Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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 through 31 May 2025. 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. 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.