Result of Service

To produce and submit, following discussion and approval of commissioned story ideas, a designated number of approved packages of multimedia content from the field in the French language, to enhance the work of UN News Language Units offering local voices and field-based storytelling on the full range of UN activities, especially to showcase action on the SDGs, human rights and climate issues, for the relevant website and social media platform.

Work Location

North and West Africa

Expected duration

5 Months

Duties and Responsibilities

The Individual Contractor shall: • Liaise with the relevant Unit Chief to discuss and plan producing quality multimedia (text, audio, and video) content on various issues in order to provide field-based narratives in relation to UN priorities, campaigns and news developments in the target audience region, with the possibility for other languages to version the regional story; • Pitch story ideas and agree with commissioning office on timelines and content to be produced, incorporating a range of storytelling approaches appropriate for both news and social media platforms. May produce content on UN conferences or campaigns, as commissioned by UN News; • Research content from verifiable sources, write stories and scripts, edit, and create multimedia (audio/video/photo/text) stories for UN News language platforms, consistent with global priorities, featuring local angles, and with special attention to beneficiaries and target audiences; • Coordinate technical arrangements and organize interviews in the countries of assignment, as required; • Follow UN News guidelines, ensuring basic editorial clarity and sound political judgment, due diligence regarding permissions and copyright, including written approvals for photos and video content, especially where minors are concerned; • Possess well-rounded experience in broadcast/digital journalism and multimedia production, in the assigned languages. Skills in video production will be highly desirable. Ability to produce material in English or other UN News languages will also be desirable. • References are required and work samples may be requested. • If registration or accreditation of journalists is required by national/local authorities, proof of registration/accreditation should be provided.

Qualifications/special skills

High school diploma or equivalent is required. A first-level university degree in communication, journalism, video production or related field is preferred. Experience in broadcast/digital journalism in the assigned language(s) is required. Experience in full range of production of multimedia features is required. Experience in video production, filming and editing video material, is desirable. Experience in recording and editing audio material is desirable. Experience in digital content publishing, and incorporation of photos and graphics is desirable.

Languages

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

Additional Information

This function is located in the UN News Section of the News and Content Branch, within the News and Media Division (NMD) in the Department of Global Communications (DGC). UN News delivers content in the six official languages of the United Nations, plus content in Kiswahili, Portuguese, Hindi and Urdu. These units produce a range of multi-media content, across all UN News languages. Each unit has a unique webpage from where media partners and individuals are able to easily download free material, for re-broadcasting, re-posting and further dissemination, with clear credit to UN News. The stringers will prepare content based on clear instructions from the commissioning office, usually the language Unit Chiefs, and report directly to them. This agreement is for a maximum period of six months.

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.