Position description
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Peace and Security Section of the Communications Campaigns Service in the Campaigns and Country Operations Division of the Department of Global Communications. The Peace and Security Section promotes the UN’s 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 and campaigns. The Public Information Officer will report to the Chief of the Peace and Security Section.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Public Information Officer may be responsible for the following duties:
- Ensures implementation of communications strategies and campaigns to engage global audiences on priority peace and security issues and/or major events, including developing audience-targeted multimedia content, coordinating efforts with partners, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analyzing the outcome.
- Monitors and analyzes current events, public opinion and press, identifies issues and trends, and advises management on appropriate action/responses.
- Undertakes activities to promote media coverage (e.g. press conferences, interviews, press seminars and other special activities) of priority issues and/or major events, to include development of a media strategy and action plan, initiating pro-active media outreach efforts, proposing and arranging press conferences/media coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage.
- Edits and writes web-optimized online content and supports the management of the peace and security website, including coordination of its language versions; in liaison with the Digital Campaigns Unit, conceptualizes digital assets in line with overall campaign and content objectives.
- Evaluates results and impact of communications activities. . Ensures that the Section’s campaigns have clear KPIs and monitors accordingly, suggesting adjustments as needed. Liaises closes with the Evaluation and Monitoring UNIT in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General.
- Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books.
- Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies. Makes presentations to groups on UN peace operations and advocates issues of concern. Plans and develops outreach activities, public events and workshops on peace and security matters, as necessary.
- Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc.
- Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies.
- Provides guidance to, and may supervise, more junior staff. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Senior Public Information Officers and other specialists, and managers throughout the UN and in other UN organizations and missions. Translators and designers. Results Expected: Plans, manages and evaluates public communications campaigns that promote public understanding and media coverage of UN activities, events and views on specific peace and security topics/issues in accordance with prevailing policy and practices. Originates communications products that most effectively convey desired information/message to targeted audience(s). Builds and facilitates strategic contacts and partnerships to ensure effective public communications.
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 analyze 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management.
- 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.
- 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.
Education
- Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field.
Work Experience
- A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required Experience in campaign planning and execution is required. Experience in editorial planning and writing/editing of web and campaign content as well digital assets is required. Experience in web and social analytics is desirable. Experience in peace and security matters is desirable.
Languages
- English and French are the official working languages of the United Nations. For the position, fluency in English is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Application instructions
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