Org. Setting and Reporting

These positions are located in the Peacekeeping field Missions or in the Special Political special Missions of the United Nations. Typically, the Public Information Officers (Digital Media Officers) will report to the Head of Unit or the Head of Section, according to the Section’s structure. Typically, the Public Information Officers (Digital Media Officers) are deployed in Mission Headquarters (usually the capital city) or if required, in field offices at sub-national levels (outside the capital).

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Public Information Officer may be responsible for the following duties:
• Advise Public Information Officers on the design and creation of multimedia products (e.g. videos, motion graphics, animations, photography, and infographics), for effective storytelling across the Mission digital platforms, undertaking research and determining appropriate medium and target audience;
• Adapt and format digital content such as graphic design, image files editing and video editing, for use on the Mission’s website and social media platforms;
• Prepare production plans, write drafts, obtain clearances, finalize texts, and edit and coordinate design approval, printing procedures and distribution;
• Undertake activities to implement the Mission’s presence on a range of major multimedia and social media platforms in English, French and/or other languages used in the Mission area;
• Assure alignment of digital products and campaigns to the Mission’s strategic communication and pubic information objectives;
• Liaise with the relevant UN entities in country, region and Headquarters on social media analysis, trends and issues, under the supervision of the reporting officer;
• Liaise with Mission’s components and/or external partners to plan and manage social media initiatives and special events, under the supervision of the reporting officer;
• Organize and conduct digital media training sessions;
• Ensure implementation of multimedia information campaigns coordinating efforts, monitoring, analytics evaluation and reporting on progress;
• Monitor and analyse the ongoing performance of the Mission’s social media platforms
• Identify issues and trends in digital media and advise on appropriate action/responses;
• Prepare, initial drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and digital and social media tools;
• Initiate and sustain professional relationships with key constituencies;
• Act as focal point for some of the major social media platforms;
• Work closely with Radio, video, Media relation and Outreach units to develop and implement an effective multimedia strategy, ensuring accurate and consistent messaging, branding and alignment with the Mission’s communication strategy;
• Represent the Section at appropriate inter-agency meetings and external events and speaking engagements;
• Provide guidance to, and supervise junior staff, as appropriate;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: 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, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting. Ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities and risks in an international environment. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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.
• PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
• TECHNOLOGIGAL 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) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A post-graduate degree in the digital media domain is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in multimedia production, video production, public information, journalism or related area is required. Experience managing multimedia, web and global social media outreach in a professional setting is required and must be demonstrable in a portfolio of projects. Experience in Adobe Creative Cloud products such as Photoshop; InDesign; Premier or equivalent is required. Three (3) years of experience implementing social media campaigns in an international organization is highly desirable. Experience providing services related to Public Information to or in a field operation of 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 this post, fluency in English is required. Working knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include written assessment, portfolio review which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

The United Nations Department of Field Support maintains rosters of qualified and available candidates to fill anticipated job openings in peacekeeping operations, special political missions, and other field operations.

The purpose of this job opening is to populate an existing mixed male/female roster of pre-cleared candidates for positions as Public Information Officer (Digital Media Officer) P-3, in UN peace operations. Women are particularly encouraged to apply in support of achievement of the United Nations System-Wide Gender Parity Strategy launched in September 2017. https://iseek-newyork.un.org/system/files/1700102b_gender_strategy_report_13_sept_2017.pdf

Please note that this roster is for a specific profile of candidates required by UN peace operations. These positions are located in conflict and post-conflict locations which are typically classified as non-family and/or hardship duty stations. As such, candidates who are eventually selected for positions cannot bring family members with them. That said, the United Nations offers a competitive salary package and specific benefits and entitlements to help staff deployed to non-family duty stations balance work and life commitments. To learn more about the UN salary scale and benefits and entitlements in hardship locations, please visit http://unjumet.net/ohrm_main/index.php. An updated list of UN peace operations and additional information on working in the field can be found at http://www.un.org/en/peacekeeping/about/dfs/ and http://www.un.org/undpa/en/in-the-field/overview.

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.

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.