Public Information Officer – P4  

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), based in Kinshasa. The incumbent leads the Digital Communications team and reports to the Head of the Strategic Communication and Public Information Division within MONUSCO.

Responsibilities

The Communications Officer may be responsible for the following duties: 1. Prepares and coordinates the development of communications products and content across the social media platforms of the Mission ensuring accurate and consistent messaging, branding, and alignment with the communications strategy. a) Oversees the preparation of a diverse range of communication products on social media in support of unit priorities and coordinates with departments, funds and agencies to develop ways to implement campaigns system-wide and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products. b) Supervise the production of social media products and support in the implementation of the mission priorities and strategies. c) Supervise and Produce social media stories that tell the impact of the mission on communities (through photos, creative visual assets, quote cards, social videos) and visual content based on material shared by the different sectors. d) Supervise the Production of creative visuals with key messages of the mission (images, GIFs, social videos, quote cards); e) Develop and maintain an editorial calendar for the website as part of the overall editorial planning of the mission and identify potential material for further research and publishing. f) Provide writers with detailed advice on story ideas, treatment and guidelines, prior to coverage. g) Coordinate the translation of web content. h) Manages the Mission’s digital and social media platforms, including the mission website, photo, audio and video channels. 2. Conceptualizes, manages, implements and evaluates communications strategies and activities: a) Responsible for updating and executing a digital communications strategy for web and digital media including social media, community outreach and/or radio products with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for the Mission’s work and support for UN Peacekeeping or Special Political mandate and priorities. b) Reports to Mission leadership, UNHQ on communications activities, developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN; and coordinates and shares public information activities and guidance with other sections of the Public Information Unit and leadership when appropriate. c) Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of Digital communication issues, methods, and approaches. d) Identifies and seeks new opportunities for advancing the Mission, anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems. e) Oversees statistical analysis, monitoring and reporting ofsocial media platforms, comments and web usage and adapts editorial and outreach priorities accordingly. 3. Engages with digital media and strengthens partnerships a) Provides video footage, photographs and digital assets to national and international media; drafts and issues press statements and press releases as necessary; establishes and maintains a cooperative relationship with local and international digital journalists. b) Fluency in digital communication with strong understanding of social media and keeps abreast of changing developments, trends, and technologies. c) Manages video interviews and/or tapings with senior Mission officials and facilitates the daily work of digital journalists covering the Mission. d) Sets up regular system of media guidance and monitoring and develops contact list of digital journalists and media outlets covering all media – TV, social media, web, photo etc. – and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media. e) Responds in a timely fashion to disinformation that could impact negatively on the public perception of the Mission and/or the Mission’s leadership, etc. 4. Develops partnerships and represents the Head or Deputy Head of the Unit in meetings/conferences, speaking engagements: a) Develops outreach initiatives to raise visibility of the Mission by organizing and/or participating in seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization. b) In consultation with supervisor, develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of public information objectives. c) Serves as a principal liaison to digital media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, etc. d) Represents the Mission in meetings and conferences; fulfils speaking engagements, makes presentations to groups on UN humanitarian activities and advocates for issues of concern. 5. Builds communication capacity and team management: a) Manages the day-to-day operation of the unit including participating in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the unit, interpreting and disseminating policy, providing procedural advice, improving reporting systems, handling operational and administrative queries, preparing budget submissions, establishing and/or coordinating training programmes and monitoring and evaluating results. b) Provides clear directions that are translated from organizational strategy. Encourages others to pursue development opportunities and creates genuine learning opportunities for them. c) In close coordination with the Chief, manages and supervises public information and consultants to achieve the outputs and quality assurance of all activities; establishing work plans, required resources, priorities, timelines and performance benchmarks. Monitors progress and takes timely action and/or decisions to ensure objectives are met. d) Participates in recruitment, supervision and evaluation of staff as appropriate. Other related duties that may be assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to conceptualize, design and implement campaigns using high quality social and digital communications products and relevant platforms; Ability to advocate and engage on sensitive public affairs issues and understand opportunities and risks in an international environment; Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches,tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. campaign management, advocacy, engagement, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting; Knowledge of user experience, accessibly and metrics; Ability to use a web content management system; Ability and willingness to apply these skills in innovative ways in conflict and post-conflict settings; 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. CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas, thinks “outside the box”; Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Education

An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, communications or related area, including at least five years of experience in producing digital content and two years of experience managing social media platforms for an international organizations is required. Demonstrate experience in filming video and editing videos with professional applications is required. Proven expertise in online storytelling and demonstrate experience in producing impactful digital content is required. Experience managing a digital media team is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in French is required; knowledge’of English is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This job opening is to identify the most qualified candidate for the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). Candidates endorsed by the FCRB but not selected will be placed on the PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER – P4 roster. The entire assessment process takes an average of six months; all applicants will be notified in writing of the outcome of their application (whether successful or unsuccessful) within 14 days of the conclusion of the process. Successful candidates will be placed on the roster and subsequently will be invited to apply for field mission vacancies open only to roster members. Roster membership does not guarantee selection. Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. 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. 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.

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.

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How cinfo Can Support You in the Application Process for This Position

• Application and Interview Preparation: Whether you’re preparing your application documents or getting ready for an interview, you can book a Job Application Support session to receive tailored guidance.
• For Swiss nationals invited to the first round of the selection process (e.g., written test, interview, assessment center): Notify us at [email protected], and we will inform our HR partners in the respective organization and the Swiss Government to help increase your visibility.

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