DIRECTOR, INFORMATION CENTRE

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) within the United Nations Office at Vienna. It is part of the Information Centres Service (ICS) of the Campaigns and Country Operations Division (CCOD) of the Department of Global Communications (DGC). The UNIS is part of the global network of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs), and UNIS Vienna is the principal source of information about the United Nations system in Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia. It is responsible for promoting public understanding and support for the aims and activities of the United Nations by communicating the work of the UN to a local audience in local languages; engaging local and regional partners; and, overall, bringing the United Nations closer to the peoples it serves. The incumbent is accountable to the Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Global Communications as well as the Director-General (DG) of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV) and is under the general supervision of the Director of CCOD and the Chief of ICS.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties: 1. Directs and manages the substantive work programme of the United Nations Information Service at Vienna which covers Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia; directs and advises staff dealing respectively with press coverage and other writing activities, press enquiries, press conferences and briefings, public relations, documentation, liaison with media; radio services and audio-visual distribution, visual production, Internet, Webcast; guided tours and related activities. 2. Contributes to the implementation of DGC work programmes in order to keep the public well-informed on UN goals and activities; contributes to the preparation of documents on policy issues and acts in advisory capacity to the Director-General of UNOV. 3. Builds and strengthens synergies with other DGC field offices, RCOs and UNCTs in the region/sub-region and provides strategic communications and crisis communications support to them if and when needed. 4. Acts as senior spokesperson of the United Nations Office at Vienna. Chairs UN press briefings and press conferences by high-level officials and Heads of State; works closely with the Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General. 5. Consults with heads of UN organs and specialized agencies based in Vienna, serving as coordinator including through chairing the UNCG on communications actions to ensure that a unified message is delivered. 6. Undertakes high-level contacts on communications matters with Permanent Missions, Host Country authorities, inter-governmental Organizations and civil society in the interest of better dissemination of UN information, understanding of the work of the Organization, especially and including in respect to Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, and Slovenia and building partnerships for communications activities. 7. Fulfils speaking engagements and participates in seminars as required; assists and arranges publicity for the Secretary-General and senior officials by coordinating their programmes and press conferences; is responsible for communications arrangements, including organization and transcripts of press conferences, press briefings and stakeouts during the visits of the Secretary-General and other high-level UN officials in Austria. 8. Ensures that the outputs produced by the office maintain high-quality standards based on comprehensive data which reflects local public attitudes towards the UN and political trends; provides Headquarters with media reports regarding local conditions, political trends and public attitudes towards the UN; ensures that the policies and activities of the UN are conveyed accurately and promptly to national authorities and local audiences. 9. Undertakes the administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of the office, including preparation of budget, reporting on budget performance, preparation of inputs for results-based budgeting, evaluation of staff performance (PAS), interviews of candidates for job openings and evaluation of candidates. 10. Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the office. 11. Performs other functions and special duties as required by UN Headquarters and the Director-General of UNOV, including representing the UN at conferences.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrated knowledge of audience-focused strategic communications and crisis communications and public information techniques; proven ability to implement effective media campaigns and to develop traditional and digital media products and activities targeting the media; ability to identify communications opportunities and problems and to articulate these to clients. Ability to advise on communications challenges, assess communications environments, develop and execute communication strategies and thematic advocacy in the work region with various promotional techniques. Ability to make decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization and to apply 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. ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable. 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. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in journalism, communications, public information, international relations, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in public information, communications, journalism, international relations or related field is required. Experience developing and executing strategic communications, including multimedia campaigns and crisis communications, public speaking and working in and with traditional and digital media is required. Experience in resource administration, including budget preparation, human resources management and/or conflict management and resource mobilization is required. Experience in the political, social and economic context of Austria, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia, or the sub-region of responsibility is desirable. Progressive years of experience supervising an office, unit or section (of at least 5 people) within the United Nations common system or a comparable international organization is desirable. Experience working in communications in the United Nations common system or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required; and working knowledge of German is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language as well as a language of the countries serviced by the Office is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are un-represented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 Jan 2024, are strongly encouraged to apply: Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Germany, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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.