PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Peace and Security Section of the Communications Campaigns Service in the Strategic Communications Division of the Department of Global Communications. The Peace and Security Section promotes UN work on priority peace and security-related issues, including conflict prevention, peacemaking, peacekeeping, peacebuilding, disarmament and counter-terrorism through the design and implementation of global communications strategies; production and dissemination of public information materials; and outreach activities. Additionally, it provides strategic communications support and backstopping to public information components of UN peacekeeping and special political missions; and assists in the development of communications policies and standard operating procedures for public information components in UN field peace missions. The Public Information Officer will report to the Chief of the Peace and Security Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Takes the lead in strategy, planning, development and implementation of large, complex communications campaigns on Peace and security related matters; works with the Department of Peace Operations to develop and implement campaigns and to incorporate the campaign messages and themes into all relevant events and products. Liaises closely with and provides communications advice and expertise to other departments and UN peace operations, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of peace and security issues, methods, and approaches. Develops web strategy, edits and writes online content and manages the peace and security website and coordinates its language versions; conceptualizes and implements digital campaigns, including through development of editorial and search-optimized web content. As a member of the web editorial board, jointly with the Department of Peace Operations, leads the development of the peace operations web platform and liaises with field missions and OICT on the development of local mission websites. Provides guidance and training to UN peace operations on website strategy and online communications; offers communications planning, operational support and web and content production training to strategic communications and public information operations in field missions in order to support their wide-ranging strategic communications and public information activities, including digital, multimedia and broadcasting coverage, website creation, maintenance and support and public outreach. Prepares or oversees preparation of a diverse range of information communications products in support of UN peace operations. Undertakes media outreach, including media briefings and interviews. Evaluates results and impact of communications activities. Represents the Department of Global Communications in meetings and conferences; fulfills speaking engagements and makes presentations to groups on UN peace operations and advocates issues of concern. Plans and develops outreach activities; organizes seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on peace and security matters, as necessary. Assists in the day-to-day operation of the Section; may coordinate and direct a team of public information staff and/or mentor and supervise the work of junior officers on specific projects. Responds to requests from field information components of peacekeeping missions for assistance and advice; assists in the formulation of policy guidance on public information and drafting of budget and staffing requirements for new peacekeeping operations. Participates in mission-specific task forces at Headquarters; reviews and advises on the public information aspect of reports relating to UN peace operations; screens and recommends candidates for information posts in the field; organizes briefings for newly appointed Chiefs of Information and Spokespersons for UN peace operations; and assists in the development, implementation and further improvement of standard operating procedures of information components of UN peace operations.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. 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. • CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients ” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. • TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A first-level university degree in any of these fields, 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 seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required; Experience writing web editorial and campaign content, managing websites, analyzing analytics and developing search-optimized content strategies for campaigns is required. Experience in dealing with peace and security matters and peacekeeping matters generally is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 July 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 Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, 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.