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Job Opening

Posting Title:

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER, P4

Job Code Title:

PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Department/ Office:

United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

Duty Station:

GENEVA

Posting Period:

14 June 2017-13 July 2017

Job Opening number:

17-PUB-UNDRR-80357-R-GENEVA (X)

Staffing Exercise ID:

N/A

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of efforts to reduce disasters and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in both developed and less developed countries. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction (SRSG), UNISDR has over 100 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and in regional offices. Specifically, UNISDR guides, monitors, analyses and reports on progress in the implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, supports regional and national implementation of the Framework and catalyses action and increases global awareness to reduce disaster risk working with UN Member States and a broad range of partners and stakeholders, including civil society, the private sector, parliamentarians and the science and technology community.

Under the overall guidance of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Director of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR), and under the direct supervision of the Chief, Communication and Advocacy Section (P5), the incumbent works closely with the Knowledge Management Section and the Resources Mobilization Section, to deliver on organizational communication, advocacy and branding of UNISDR towards the external environment.

Responsibilities

The incumbent will be responsible for the following tasks:

Contributes to the design of the overall communication, advocacy and marketing strategy for the organization, including comprehensive social media outreach, website management, and supports its implementation, including through coordinating with Regional Offices and other relevant Branches and Sections of UNISDR.

Takes the lead in planning, development and implementation of large, complex communications and advocacy campaigns (e.g. global advocacy and communication initiatives, public information programmes for a region, broad-reaching subject specific issues, etc.); where appropriate, works with different UN departments, funds and agencies to develop ways to implement system-wide campaigns and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products.

Prepares or oversees preparation of a diverse range of information and communications products in support of major campaign initiatives. Collaborates with colleagues in the resource mobilization section to ensure coherence of messaging and approaches, seeks funding and other assistance for major campaigns.

Develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to solicit support for and maximize impact of communication and advocacy objectives; serves as a spokesperson/principal liaison to media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, as required.

Drafts elaborated material for UNISDR press releases, newsletters, periodicals, reports and publications. Builds information networks; plans and oversees maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on UNISDR; plans and develops outreach activities. Contributes to the publications programme; produces materials for print/electronic/voice/visual media.

Represents the institution in meetings and conferences; fulfils speaking engagements and makes presentations to groups on UNISDR activities and advocates issues of concern; organizes media coverage and arranges for media contacts, briefings, and interviews; organizes seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization.
Evaluates results and impact of communications and advocacy activities; reports on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN, and UNISDR in particular.

Provides advice and expertise to managers and senior officers across UNISDR on a range of communication and advocacy issues, methods, and approaches; anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems.

Participates 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.

May coordinate/supervise junior officers on specific projects.

Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM:
- Knowledge and understanding of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and other risk management topics.
- Sound knowledge of HTML.
- Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems.
- Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.
- Ability to plan, implement and monitor large-scale communication and advocacy programmes and initiatives.
- Ability to work within geographically dispersed teams.
- 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 the audience.
- Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

TEAMWORK:
- Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals.
- Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others.
- Places team agenda before personal agenda.
- Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.
- Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

PLANNING & 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.

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.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, communication, advocacy campaigns, journalism, or related field. A minimum of one year’s experience in social media is required. At least two years of experience in planning, implementing and coordinating advocacy campaigns in the UN system is desirable. Experience in managing the communication element of major international events/conferences is desirable. Experience in website content management is desirable. Two years of experience speaking on behalf of an 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; knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

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.

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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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 At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.

The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.