COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

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 143,096 USD and 184,492 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 post is located within the Executive Office of the Secretary-General at the Headquarters of the International Seabed Authority (ISA) in Kingston, Jamaica, and reports to the Chief of Staff and Head of Strategic Planning.

Responsibilities In close cooperation with the Chief of Staff and Head of Strategic Planning, the Communications Specialist is responsible for the effective and efficient delivery of the following duties:

Strategic communications

In order to contribute to increasing understanding of ISA's missions and strategic objectives and, especially, increase recognition of the value and impact of ISA’s contributions to the Agenda 2030 and other relevant global goals and processes:

1. Develops, reviews and implements a global communications strategy as well as ad-hoc communications strategies for specific initiatives and projects in coordination with relevant offices and units in the Secretariat. 2. Prepares or oversees the preparation of a diverse range of information and communications products that convey complex issues in a simple yet accurate way, including written pieces, multimedia materials, infographics, data visualizations, etc. 3. Organizes or contributes to the organization of seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning ISA mandate. 4. Ensures consistent use of communications, design and brand as well as editorial guidelines across the organization and for all products of ISA. 5. Evaluates results and impact of communications activities, and report on developments, trends and attitudes regarding ISA. 6. Anticipates and resolve communications and public relations issues or problems. 7. Strengthens internal communications through improved systems and initiatives for managing ISA digital assets (photo and video footage, graphics, etc.), sharing information, and strengthening internal communications capacity. 8. Strengthens the ability of ISA staff to clearly communicate results to different audiences.

Media relations

9. Serves as a point of contact for the media 10. Manages media contacts and address media queries and requests 11. Prepares and regularly review strategic messages for the media 12. Monitors coverage of ISA and its activities in the media and identify potential reputational risk issues; is involved in the public information aspects of managing reputational risk. 13. Writes and disseminates press releases; proposes, drafts, edits and pitches op-eds, letters to editor, and other written, digital and broadcast commentary. 14. Supports communication initiatives to position the Organization, the Secretary-General and Senior staff in the media. 15. Organizes media coverage and arranges media briefings, interviews, etc.

Publications

16. Supervises the publication process from manuscript to printed document to ensure timely delivery of high-quality publications, including copy-editing, layout and design, digital dissemination and printing. 17. Supervises the promotion and placement of ISA publications, including on Amazon Marketplace. 18. Works towards increasing the reach and uptake of ISA publications by different target audiences.

Outreach

19. Plans and develops outreach activities to support the goals and strategic directions of ISA. 20. Develops and maintains strong strategic relationships with communications counterparts with Member States, multilateral institutions, partner organisations, civil society and other United Nations agencies related to deep sea mining or relevant domains. 21. Manages, updates and upgrades features of the website as necessary, monitors analytics and improves SEO as necessary. 22. Supervises the management of social media accounts, suggests, conceptualizes and supervises the implementation of social media campaigns. 23. Supervises the production and wide dissemination of ISA bulletins. 24. Identifies platforms and networks and liaise with other UN bodies to disseminate ISA’s materials 25. Performs other duties as requested, including supervision of staff, consultants and vendors.

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, advocacy, engagement, media operations, message targeting. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to use a web content management system; Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Solicits inputs by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise. Ability to handle diplomatically sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. 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.

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.

Planning and Organising: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; ability to coordinate the work of others, work to tight deadlines and handle multiple concurrent projects/activities.

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.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.

Education Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying 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, international relations, public administration or related area is required

Experience managing digital channels (website and/or social media) in a professional context for a multilateral or intergovernmental organisation is required.

Experience in developing and implementing global and multi-stakeholder communication and engagement strategies for an international multilateral sector organisation is required.

Proven ability to design and implement impactful communications and marketing campaigns and events on behalf of complex international organisations is required.

Experience in representing an international organisation in liaising and building partnerships with Member States, Corporate, UN agencies, international development partners, Foundations and NGOs is desirable.

A professional track record of developing and delivering creative internal and external communications for professional and public audiences in local, national and international settings is desirable.

Proven experience in organising and running communications and marketing campaigns for advocacy or intergovernmental organisations, preferably on environment and sustainable development topics, is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of ISA. Fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of other United Nations official languages is highly desirable.

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice Candidates eligible for consideration must also be nationals of ISA Member States. Consideration is given to achieving diverse gender, geographical and economic representation at the ISA, to the extent possible; ISA reserves the right to not make any appointment to the vacancy, and/or to make an appointment at a lower level from the one advertised. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Need Help?" link.

The initial duration of the contract is 364 days. Extension of the appointment is subject to the availability of designated funds.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.

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.