Associate Editor / Speechwriter

​Requisition ID: 4449 
Grade: L2 
Country: Austria 
Duty Station: Vienna 
Category: Project-funded Professional and higher 
Type of Job Posting: Internal and External
Employment Type: Staff-Full-time
Appointment Type: Fixed Term – 200 series
Indicative Minimum Net Annual Salary: 80,553 USD 
Application Deadline: 12-Sep-2024, 11:59 PM (CEST)  

Vacancy Announcement
THE APPOINTMENT IS LIMITED TO THE SPECIFIED PROJECT(S) ONLY AND DOES NOT CARRY ANY EXPECTATION OF RENEWAL. 
Female candidates are particularly encouraged to apply.
Detailed information on the project can be found at UNIDO’s Open Data Platform: https://open.unido.org/

Organizational Context

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) is the specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalization and environmental sustainability. The mission of UNIDO, as described in the Lima Declaration adopted at the fifteenth session of the UNIDO General Conference in 2013 as well as the Abu Dhabi Declaration adopted at the eighteenth session of UNIDO General Conference in 2019, is to promote and accelerate inclusive and sustainable industrial development (ISID) in Member States. The relevance of ISID as an integrated approach to all three pillars of sustainable development is recognized by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which will frame United Nations and country efforts towards sustainable development. UNIDO’s mandate is fully recognized in SDG-9, which calls to “Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation”. The relevance of ISID, however, applies in greater or lesser extent to all SDGs. Accordingly, the Organization’s programmatic focus is structured in four strategic priorities: Creating shared prosperity; Advancing economic competitiveness; Safeguarding the environment; and Strengthening knowledge and institutions.

Each of these programmatic fields of activity contains a number of individual programmes, which are implemented in a holistic manner to achieve effective outcomes and impacts through UNIDO’s four enabling functions: (i) technical cooperation; (ii) analytical and research functions and policy advisory services; (iii) normative functions and standards and quality-related activities; and (iv) convening and partnerships for knowledge transfer, networking and industrial cooperation. Such core functions are carried out in Divisions/Offices in its Headquarters, Regional Offices and Hubs and Country Offices.

The position is located under the Office of Communications, Conferences and Media Relations (ODG/CCM), which promotes and strategically positions the Organization and the interventions of the Director General in the global development context. ODG/CCM ensures a coherent and structured approach to communication, covering the engagement of UNIDO in technical cooperation and other activities in sustainable industrial development.

This includes the creation, development, implementation, and management of communications initiatives designed to ensure consistent messaging and branding of UNIDO vis-à-vis its mandate. ODG/CCM develops and implements UNIDO’s global communication strategy, working and engaging with relevant media partners, stakeholders, and communication platforms. 

The Associate Editor / Speechwriter works under the direct supervision of the Chief of ODG/CCM and in close collaboration with colleagues to support the mandate of the Office.

At the L2 level, the incumbent is expected to deliver: (a) work that is analytical in contributing to results achieved by the Division; (b) in creating an enabling environment for collaborative work which is catalytic to achieving results; (c) in building relationships which contributes to counterparts’ engagement and (d) in achieving results that provide baselines for a service.

The UNIDO Staff Performance Management System reinforces the collaboration within formal units as well as among cross-functional teams. In this context, the incumbent collaborates with his/her supervisor and colleagues, within as well as outside the unit. Within the formal teams, the incumbent may be expected to backstop other team members as required.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Director-General and in this context all staff are expected to serve in any assignment and duty station as determined by the needs of the Organization.

1. Responsibilities

The Associate Editor / Speechwriter works under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Chief of ODG/CCM, and in close collaboration with the colleagues to support the mandate of the Office.  She/he will be responsible for providing technical support to the smooth and timely execution of communication activities and projects and be accountable for the achievement of results as assigned.  Specific responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Research, gather information, and draft effective speeches, statements, talking points, news articles, video scripts and other speaking notes for the Director General.
• Develop and manage a clearance process for all official statements prepared for delivery by the Director General.
• Assist the Director General and his/her Office to identify critical and complex issues and to articulate them in an accessible and effective manner suited to diverse and specific audiences. This may include targeted messages for internal communications within UNIDO or for specific stakeholders and partners, as needed by the Office of the Director General.
• Proof-read, fact-check and review materials in coordination with staff at Headquarters and in other offices to ensure that all information is accurate and up to date.
• Analyze complex information, including statistics, financial information and other numerical, qualitative and quantitative data, to extract key messages for integration into speeches and other communications material as required.
• Research audience expectations, event agenda and topics, and assist in focusing the purpose of each speech to tailor messages for audience appeal and impact.
• Work with senior management to incorporate the Director General’s messaging into their speeches and other communications materials.
• Extract key messages from speeches/presentations/articles for dissemination through social media channels, in close collaboration with the team in ODG/CCM.
• Act as the main focal point,
• Maintain an up-to-date archive of speeches.

• Support advocacy, communication, and global forum activities, including the preparation of written materials.
• Perform other related duties and assignments as required.

1. Core Values and Competencies

Core Values

WE LIVE AND ACT WITH INTEGRITY: work honestly, openly and impartially.

WE SHOW PROFESSIONALISM: work hard and competently in a committed and responsible manner.

WE RESPECT DIVERSITY: work together effectively, respectfully and inclusively, regardless of our differences in culture and perspective.

Key Competencies

WE FOCUS ON PEOPLE: cooperate to fully reach our potential –and this is true for our colleagues as well as our clients. Emotional intelligence and receptiveness are vital parts of our UNIDO identity.

WE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: focus on planning, organizing and managing our work effectively and efficiently. We are responsible and accountable for achieving our results and meeting our performance standards. This accountability does not end with our colleagues and supervisors, but we also owe it to those, we serve and who have trusted us to contribute to a better, safer and healthier world.

WE COMMUNICATE AND EARN TRUST: communicate effectively with one another and build an environment of trust where we can all excel in our work.

WE THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND INNOVATE: To stay relevant, we continuously improve, support innovation, share our knowledge and skills, and learn from one another.

1. Minimum requirements and desirable criteria

Education:

Advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in communications, journalism, international relations, economics or in a closely related field is required.

Experience, technical knowledge and functional expertise:

• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant working experience, including some at the international level, in communication and advocacy, public information, and/or journalism is required.   
• A proven track record of researching and drafting engaging and compelling written content ranging from speeches, social media posts to long-form articles for both specialist and general readers is required.
• A good knowledge of global development issues is required.

Language Skills:

Fluency in written and spoken English is required.  Fluency in or working knowledge of another official language of the United Nations is desirable.

NOTE: UNIDO professional level applicants are required to have served at least one year in their current post if applying for a higher-level position. However, the seniority-in-grade requirements for applying for higher-level positions, as per paragraphs 18 and 78 of the HRMF, have been waived.

UNIDO General Service applicants are required to be at least at the GS-5 level; to have served in their current position for at least two years; and to have served in UNIDO for at least five years.

Employees of UNIDO are expected at all times to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for diversity, both at work and outside. Only persons who fully and unconditionally commit to these values should consider applying for jobs at UNIDO.

All applications must be submitted online through the Online Recruitment System. Correspondence will be undertaken only with candidates who are being considered at an advanced phase of the selection process. Selected candidate(s) may be required to disclose to the Director General the nature and scope of financial and other personal interests and assets in respect of themselves, their spouses and dependents, under the procedures established by the Director General.

Visit the UNIDO careers site for details on how to apply: https://careers.unido.org/ 

NOTE: The Director General retains the discretion to make an appointment to this post at a lower level.

Notice to applicants:
UNIDO does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. If you have received a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Vacant positions within UNIDO are advertised on the official UNIDO website. Should you have any questions concerning persons or companies claiming to be recruiting on behalf of UNIDO and requesting payment of a fee, please contact: [email protected]