CHIEF OF UNIT, PUBLIC INFORMATION

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 171,387 USD and 220,969 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 This position is located primarily in the Television Broadcast and Facilities Unit, of Audiovisual Services Section, in the Coverage & Media Services Branch in the Department of Global Communications (DGC). The Television News and Facilities Unit provides coverage of major events taking place at UN Headquarters, as well as special events related to the work of the UN around the world. The incumbent of the post reports to the Chief of the Audiovisual Services Section.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority the Chief of Unit is responsible for the following duties:

• Supervising technical and production personnel on electronic field productions away from Headquarters and determining the adequate scope of such coverage;
• Overseeing all activities in the television studios;
• Overseeing all television coverage of meetings and events at UN Headquarters as well as conferences away from Headquarters, and ensures that the resulting products are stored in the Media Asset Management System;
• Coordinating all transmissions to broadcasters and other entities and ensure the availability of adequate technical facilities
• Supervising producers/directors in the video coverage of meetings and events; directing technical and production personnel and ensures that there are enough personnel for TV coverage of UN mandated meetings;
• Providing advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on special television shows originating from U.N. Headquarters as requested by international and national television organizations and producers;
• Liaising with television stations and network personnel in providing daily information regarding the television coverage of United Nations meetings and events;
• Coordinating production requirements with contractual staff;
• Planning production for all studio and special events coverage including placement and number of cameras, set design, and overall format;
• Meeting with representatives of other Secretariat Departments, Officers, and other units regarding coverage of special events such as visits of Heads of State and Government ensuring smooth and efficient operations;
• Advising in strategy, planning, development and implementation of large, complex television coverage in the U.N. Headquarters as well as away from Headquarters.
• Directs LIVE television coverage of meetings, press conferences, briefings and other newsworthy events at headquarters, keeping in mind the political sensitivities of the United Nations and ensures implementation of information programs to publicize priority issues and/or major events, to include drafting information strategies, coordinating efforts, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analyzing the outcome.
• As communications expert, advises Senior officials of delegations to the U.N. on the best and most effective use of the television medium in order to maximize exposure;
• Keeping abreast of technological developments and evaluates results and impact of communications activities; reports on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN.
• Briefing short-term TV producers/directors;
• Maintaining close liaison with members accredited to the U.N. Correspondent's Association;
• Advising visiting crews on coverage at Headquarters, editing and transmission facilities, facilities available at the U.N. as well as New York commercial establishments.

• Coordinating and directing a team of public information staff and/or mentor and supervise the work of junior officers on specific projects.

  Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of the work of the UN and its specialized agencies. Expertise in the broadcasting industry; ability to direct a television program; understanding of video broadcast systems; attention to efficient use of available resources. Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines and achieving results. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Shows pride in work and in achievement; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology— particularly mobile and video for mobile technology; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education Advanced University Degree (Master's or equivalent) in communications, journalism, video, film and television or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying years of 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, journalism, or related area is required. Experience in planning or managing television coverage, and understanding of video broadcast systems is required. Experience working in the broadcasting industry is required. Experience in directing television programs is required Experience in an international television production environment is desirable. Experience in a news operations 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 another official UN language is desirable.

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

Special Notice - 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.

• For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 April 2021, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Suriname, Timor-Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

  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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.