Associate Programme Officer (Speechwriting & Policy Coordination)

Contract

This is a P-2 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 2 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 57,661 USD and 78,318 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting The position is located in the Office of the Director-General/ Executive Director (ODG/OED) of the United Nations Office at Vienna/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOV/UNODC) in Vienna, Austria. The incumbent works under the overall guidance of the Chief, ODG/OED and Strategy Advisor to the Executive Director, reports directly to the Speechwriter and Spokesperson and works in close cooperation with the Policy Coordination Officer.

For more information on UNODC, please visit our website: www.unodc.org.

Responsibilities Within assigned authority, the Associate Programme Officer (Speechwriting & Policy Coordination) will contribute to speechwriting and communication activities, the overall policy and inter-agency coordination functions of ODG/OED, as well as to the development and implementation of programmes/projects in the area of communication activities. The incumbent will be responsible for the following key areas:

Seek input and information from substantive staff, to contribute to the drafting of speeches, statements, talking points and other products while ensuring policy coherence and accuracy. Assist in providing support to the Director-General/Executive Director (DG/ED) in encounters with the media, the general public and other external audiences. Assist with the preparation of briefing material, talking points, meeting reports, correspondence and other substantive documents, for the DG/ED in English and Arabic; ensure submission of material to the DG/ED within established deadlines and adhering to established quality standards. Assist with the preparation of talking points and background information for the Secretary-General’s and other UN senior officials’ briefing material, as requested. Monitor relevant incoming correspondence and manage the appropriate action in conjunction with relevant UNOV/UNODC units. Assist in facilitating UNODC's contribution to the UN System's coordination efforts in substantive and administrative areas of relevance to UNOV and UNODC. Assist in reviewing UNOV/UNODC contributions to reports of the Secretary-General or other high-level officials or UN bodies through ODG/OED. Assist in reviewing internal policy and programming documents and provide contributions to support the DG/ED’s decision making. Contribute to addressing key institutional challenges to smooth and accountable delivery of programmes ensuring delivery with accountability; assist in supporting institutional change processes (such as enterprise risk management, promoting gender equality, Umoja and others). Keep abreast of policy issues related to the UNODC mandate areas as well as strategic and operational developments at the headquarters level and within UNOV and UNODC to ensure informed contributions to the policy coordination function. Support administrative tasks (e.g. Umoja, budgetary and financial functions, etc.) Perform other work-related tasks as assigned.

Competencies Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of the policies and mandates of UNOV and UNODC. Has knowledge in the field of communications and public information. Has very good writing skills and strong communication, research and analytical skills. Has ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Has conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Has ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. 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.

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.

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.

Education An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, law, international relations or political science is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination/United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

Work Experience A minimum of two years of relevant progressively responsible professional experience in communication, policy analysis and coordination or related area or the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP)/United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P) is required. Work experience in areas related to drug control, crime prevention and criminal justice is required. Direct experience with the preparation of communication products, briefing material, talking points for meetings and missions or any other substantive documents for a senior high-ranking official is desirable. Experience in working with high ranking officials is desirable. Working experience with the United Nations, its Member States or similar international organizations in the above areas is desirable. Direct experience in speechwriting is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice This post is financed from extra-budgetary resources and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of appointment will be subject to the availability of 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.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station).

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.