Public Information Officer (Head Writer), P-4

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UNEP’s Communication Division communicates UNEP’s core messages to all stakeholders and partners, raising environmental awareness and enhancing the profile of UNEP worldwide. This post is located in the Communication Division at the Nairobi duty station. Under the general guidance of the Director, and the supervision of Chief of Section (Content Production), the incumbent is responsible for the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Managing editor: Plan and manage the Editorial Unit’s daily work to ensure smooth coordination, accuracy and compliance with the content strategy; Oversee UNEP’s editorial calendar; Coordinate with other units in the Communications Division to ensure content integration across different platforms and channels; Provide advice to UNEP staff on editorial issues, methods and approaches.
• Content production: Review and approve editorial content in adherence with UNEP’s guidelines; Edit web stories drafted by writers and communications officers, underpinned by UNEP ; Write complex material for reports, publications and newsletters; Write and edit speeches and speaking notes to be issued in the name of senior UNEP and UN officials; Draft and edit the UNEP annual report; Work closely with the communication team in developing key messages for major UNEP events and campaigns to promote relevant policy or science messages.
• Team leadership: Lead and manage a global team of writers and editors, fostering a collaborative and creative work environment; Oversee the recruitment of consultants and UN Volunteers; Manage the Unit’s financial resources, including the procurement of goods and services in line with the UNEP’s policies, procedures, regulations and rules.
• Capacity building: Evaluate results and impact of editorial work and report on developments, trends and attitudes regarding UNEP; Build information networks; Plan and develop outreach activities, including capacity building for writers through guidelines and training.
• Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Proven competence in writing complex reports, high-level speeches, editing and production in the print and electronic and related media; Strong research and analytical skills; Up-to-date knowledge of current affairs, science and environmental issues; Ability to monitor and appraise content production progress against milestones; Ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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; establish effective collaboration and partnerships with officials at all levels inside and outside the organization. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed;
• CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services. Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs. Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas. Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box.” Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things. Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches;
• 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 that 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 Journalism, Communication, Social Sciences or other related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be acceptable in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in public information, communication, journalism, or related field, some of which at the international level is required. A minimum of one (1) year of cumulative experience, in the last five years, in producing content for media, reports, multimedia, social media and or similar mass communication on environmental or related scientific issues is required. Experience managing international teams of writers and editors is required. One (1) year of experience in editing science-based reports is desirable. Two (2) years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable. NOTE: “Fluency equals a rating of “fluent” in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and “Knowledge of” equals a rating of “confident” in two of the four areas.

Application instructions

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