Associate Public Information Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

The Office of the UNHCR was established on 14 December 1950 by the UN General Assembly. The agency is mandated to lead and co-ordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Its primary purpose is to safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees. It strives to ensure that everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country (www.unhcr.org).

This UNV assignment is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19 with WHO approved vaccine, unless the UNHCR Medical Service approves an exemption from this requirement on medical grounds.

• Develop a public information strategy to promote a better understanding of UNHCR’s aims and activities in the host country; • Establish and maintain close working relations with individual journalists and media organi-zations to keep them regularly informed on UNHCR’s activities in the host country. • Ensure appropriate media coverage, organise press briefings and conferences as necessary and acts as the spokesperson with the guidance from the Representative and in coordination with the relevant Senior Country or Regional PI Officer, and HQPI as needed; • Plan and conduct campaigns and activities with organised groups and local authorities to disseminate information on UNHCR and raise public awareness on refugee issues; • Draft press releases, pamphlets, situation reports, online and other articles for publication. • Design and oversee the production of Public Information outputs; • Keep abreast of developments on UNHCR activities in the country and respond to press and public queries for information on all aspects of the organisation’s work; • Scan various sources of information, such as newspapers, journals, bulletins for political and other developments likely to affect UNHCR’s activities in the host country and keep the Rep-resentative and other Staff briefed accordingly; • Ensure availability of adequate UNHCR collateral and visibility material. • Arrange timely distribution of outputs and regularly update the list of institutions and individu-als who should receive copies; • Represent UNHCR at Inter-Agency meetings to ensure that refugee issues are appropriately covered.

•Professionalism: demonstrated understanding of operations relevant to UNHCR; technical capabilities or knowledge relevant or transferrable to UNHCR procedures and rules; discretion, political sensitivity, diplomacy and tact to deal with clients; ability to apply good judgement; ability to liaise and coordinate with a range of different actors, especially in senior positions; where appropriate, high degree of autonomy, personal initiative and ability to take ownership; resourcefulness and willingness to accept wide responsibilities and ability to work independently under established procedures; ability to manage information objectively, accurately and confidentially; responsive and client-oriented; •Integrity: demonstrate the values and ethical standards of the UN and UNHCR in daily activities and behaviours while acting without consideration of personal gains; resist undue political pressure in decision-making; stand by decisions that are in the organization’s interest even if they are unpopular; take prompt action in cases of unprofessional or unethical behaviour; does not abuse power or authority; •Commitment to continuous learning: initiative and willingness to learn new skills and stay abreast of new developments in area of expertise; ability to adapt to changes in work environment. •Planning and organizing: effective organizational and problem-solving skills and ability to manage a large volume of work in an efficient and timely manner; ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor (own) work; ability to work under pressure, with conflicting deadlines, and to handle multiple concurrent projects/activities; •Flexibility: adaptability and ability to live and work in potentially hazardous and remote conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort; to operate independently in austere environments for protracted periods; willingness to travel within the area of operations and to transfer to other duty stations within the area of operations as necessary; •Teamwork and respect for diversity: ability to operate effectively across organizational boundaries; ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and harmonious working

the production of public information materials and working with the media.

Computer skills: Proficiency in image and video production; good knowledge of multimedia software (Photoshop, Publisher, MS Office Suite, etc.)

Ability to present verbal and written information to different audience

Demonstrated high-level writing skills (e.g. press releases, briefing notes, press briefings and articles).

Addis Ababa is the capital of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. The population is estimated at about 4 million or so. It is located in the Ethiopian highlands at an altitude of 2,500-2,700 meters. The climate is sunny and temperate, but it can be very cold at night, with freezing temperature at times. There are two rainy seasons: February-March and July-September, during which there may be heavy rainfalls.

Addis Ababa is the headquarters for the UN Economic Commission for Africa as well as the African Union (ex-OAU). There is a very large community of expatriates from all over the world. The local language is Amharic, and English is the working foreign language. Housing is readily available and the rents are, on average, reasonable. Most foodstuffs, beverages, household goods, furniture and clothing, mostly imported from the Middle/Far East, South Africa and Europe, or local brands, can be found, although they can be expensive. Meat, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables are cheap and abundantly available.