ASSISTANT COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (TJO)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), in the OHCHR/MONUSCO Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO). The Assistant Communications Officer will report National Reporting and Investigation Coordinator (P4) under the overall guidance and direction of the Deputy Director of the JHRO.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Assistant Communications Officer may be responsible for the following duties: 1. Coordinates outreach to local media, civil society organisations, Government and National NGOs and builds capacity: • Drafts and disseminates information especially to local media and organizations about the Mission, its aims and activities and supports outreach activities. • Develops partnerships with key national constituencies by proactively sharing work plan and content and working closely with national partners to raise visibility and understanding of the Mission’s work. • Monitors and analyses current events, public opinion and press; identifies issues and trends in country, and helps to prepare notes to management on appropriate action/responses. • Builds capacity and provides support to local media and partners through regular contact and by organizing specialized training to address knowledge, awareness and skill gaps. 2. Supports the implementation of the Mission’s communication strategy: • Contributes to the day-to-day communications plan by assisting to prepare, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, drafts of press releases, feature stories, social media posts, communication plans, reports, briefings, etc. • Supports the organization of events and activities (both traditional and digital) such as conferences, press briefings, interviews, social media campaigns, etc. Assists in the preparation of briefing materials for senior officials in such events. • Coordinates with colleagues and partners to gather and disseminate information on assigned topics/issues, collects information from diverse sources to prepare background materials and update communication products including fact sheets, presentations, reports, etc. 3. Supports effective coordination and external relations: • Responds to a variety of enquiries and information requests internally and externally and subsequently prepares related correspondence and updates to facilitate exchange of information between the Mission and HQ under the guidance of the supervisor. 4. Provides support to internal communications: • Drafts copy for reports, newsletters, and other materials of interest to internal audiences. • Contribute to disseminating UNJHRO reports 5. Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to plan, execute and monitor public communication campaigns, e.g. campaign management, market research, message targeting, impact evaluation. Ability to research and analyze issues and topics related to current events. Ability to draft and compile a variety of written communication products in a clear, concise style. Ability to interact with the public to build and maintain effective business connections. 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 & 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 two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required (None for candidates who hold an advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent). Experience in the design, planning and implementation of institutional communication strategies is desirable. Experience in developing communications plans integrating innovative and digital tools is desirable. Experience working in media in a conflict environment/context is desirable. Experience with computer graphics tools such as MS office, Publisher and communication software or related programs is desirable. Experience working in the institutional and socio-political context of a conflict environment is desirable. Experience in community management is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of English is desirable. Fluency in Lingala and /or Swahili 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 UNTIL 31 DECEMBER 2024, SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. 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. 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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.