Communication and Press Officer

Parent Sector : Field Office

Duty Station: Brasilia

Job Family: Public Information

Type of contract : Non Staff  (Service Contract)

Level :  NO-A

Duration of contract : 1 year

Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 21-JAN-2024

UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism

Only candidates who are entitled to work in Brazil may apply to this position

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

Under the authority and overall supervision of the Director and Representative of UNESCO in Brazil and the direct supervision of the Communication, Public Information and Publication Unit Coordinator, the position serves as a Communication and Press Officer. His/her main responsibilities will be on producing content for UNESCO’s communication channels regarding UNESCO’s activities as well as functioning as liaison with the media. Essential responsibilities include:

Long Description

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• Work on press contacts for the diffusion of UNESCO Brasília Office – UBO’s subjects, negotiating with journalists and press editors of the main local, regional, national and international communications media companies, according to internal orientation;
• Maintain regular contact with the media and press to ensure accuracy of information transmitted;
• Work on investigating and writing journalistic texts to be published in the UNESCO website, Portuguese and English, on UNESCO social media accounts and to feed information bulletins produced by UCIP (Communication, Public Information and Publication Unit);
• Produce journalistic texts for press diffusion, as press releases, media advisory and others, and distribute them to UCIP´s mailing list, according to the subjects and situations;
• Write, create and edit digital content to raise visibility in social media;
• Keep the press and communication mailing list updated;
• Elaborate institutional texts according to the necessity, as speeches, briefings and press summaries;

Long Description

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• Support the program areas in their specific efforts to develop media relations in Brazil increasing the visibility and publicity of corporate initiatives and awareness of UNESCO mandate and goals;
• Answer demands from Brazilian and foreign journalists about information on different areas of the Organization mandate and activities, as its documents, conventions and other contents, or about themes where UNESCO’s specialists are considered reference;
• Produce journalistic articles for the Director and coordinators of programmatic areas, with their directives and inputs and proceed the necessary articulations with press editors for publishing;
• Elaborate a journalistic clipping about UNESCO’s activities in Brazil and special clippings, most of them under demand of Director’s cabinet, programmatic sectors and HQ requests;
• Follow-up of media news and analysis about UNESCO, for future information of the Director, coordinators and colleagues about relevant issues in the press, suggesting present and future actions;
• Plan and update the calendar of activities in Brazil (intranet) and provide contents to the headquarters web calendar NICE;

Long Description

•  
• Give support to the audiovisual and multimedia products, which UCIP is in charge, as small videos, films, infographics and animations;
• Help in the institutional website management and feeding and in other services of UCIP, which may be necessary and demanded, according to internal orientation;
• Articulate and collaborate with UN agencies, programs and funds established in Brazil regarding joint communication activities aiming at spreading common UN values and contents in the country as to maintain the institutional public image;
• Perform all the above duties and other UCIP’s demands as required, with quality and efficiency, according to UNESCO’s Rules and Regulations.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
Accountability (C)
Communication (C)
Innovation (C)
Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement (C)
Planning and organizing (C)
Results focus (C)
Teamwork (C)
Professionalism (C)
–
For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Advanced university degree (equivalent to Masters or Post-graduate studies) in Communication area.

Work Experience

• Four (4) years of post-qualification work experience in Communication sector’s activities. 
• Excellent knowledge of the New Portuguese Language Orthographic Agreement.

Languages

• The position requires proficiency in Portuguese and English.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong sense of ethics, initiative, creativity, discretion and maturity of judgement;
• Pro-activeness and ability to work under pressure; timely responses, accuracy and sense of confidentiality; ability and flexibility to manage workload;
• Excellent writing and analytical skills;
•  Ability to adjust communication style, content, tone and messages to diverse audiences;
• Team and service-oriented, autonomy, emphasis on quality, efficiency and results;
• Analytical, problem solving, organizational and coordination skills;
• Excellent oral and written presentation skills;
• Good IT skills (Microsoft package). Ability to handle web-based management systems. Proven knowledge of computer systems and applications, including experience with web content management systems, image editing software, publications software and internet-based communication tools, including social media;
• Good interpersonal skills with ability to maintain effective working relations within a multi-cultural environment: with people of different national and cultural background. Gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
• Ability to maintain accurate files and records; good organization skills;
• Availability to travel.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Specialized training or courses in the fields related to this position. 

• A first university degree in Social Communication (specialized in Journalism).

Work Experience

• Previous experience within the UN System or other international cooperation organizations will be highly valued.
• Good general knowledge of UNESCO’s field of competence should be an advantage.

Languages

• Working knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (French or Spanish).

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

This assignment is of full-time nature (Monday to Thursday: 8h30 to 12h30 / 14h to 18h; Friday: 8h30 to 14h).

For this position, the monthly remuneration, which will be paid in local currency, will be BRL 13.877,07.

The initial contract is intended for the year 2024 and shall be linked to a project-funding source, which is expected to be renewed. Any contract renewal shall be dependent upon budgetary availability and satisfactory services.

Further information regarding contractual modality as well as the applicable benefits package will be provided for short-listed candidates only.

SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.

The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview. 

UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.

Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.

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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.

UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.