COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-3 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 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 137,951 USD and 180,636 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 of the United Nations Office in Geneva in the SDG Lab. The incumbent reports to the P4 Programme Management Officer.

The incumbent will work closely with the Programme Management Officer, to achieve the core objectives and strategic priorities of the SDG Lab. The incumbent provides effective communications and policy support to help the SDG Lab advance delivery of the 2030 Agenda.

Responsibilities Under the general supervision of the Chief of Section and the direct supervision of the Programme Management Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

Internal and external communication - Develops and regularly updates the communications strategy of the SDG Lab, aimed at promoting awareness and understanding of the priorities of the initiative; - Elaborates and delivers a communications plan including a rolling quarterly communications calendar and use it to monitor delivery and results tracking; - Produces, develops and reviews information products, such as SDG Lab broadcasts and updates, web articles, brochures, booklets, audio-visual presentations, backgrounders, etc. This includes drafting, research, obtaining clearances, liaising with other offices regarding design, printing and other production elements; - Provides communications expertise, support and advice to the Chief of Section and Programme Management Officer on opportunities related to the SDG Lab’s initiatives, such as sustainable finance; - Serves as SDG Lab communication focal point on relevant fora, internally and externally; attend communications-focused meetings and prepare summary notes with follow-up action items; - Actively shares relevant information with focal points of other UN system partners.

Social media and community engagement - Leads and coordinates daily monitoring and updating of the SDG Lab’s social media tools and statistics (i.e., Twitter, LinkedIn, and other platforms); - Reviews social media packages from the UN Department of Global Communications (DGC) and other UN and Geneva ecosystem partners; prepares relevant SDG content to promote on the Lab’s social media tools and proactively share social media assets with DGC and other UN partners.

Web site management - Maintains and regularly updates the SDG Lab website and related Learning Journey site; - Researches and writes 2-3 web updates per month on the Lab’s activities and post the update, together with relevant assets (e.g., images, videos, links), on the English and French version of the Lab website (where applicable); - Adds events to the website events calendar; - Compiles monthly web statistics; - Serves as technical focal point to troubleshoot website issues and liaise with external website platform host for support; - Proposes and implements modifications and updates to the Lab’s sites.

Event communications and coordination - Prepares event documentation and materials (e.g., flyer, invitation, list of participants, etc.) in accordance with the Lab’s brand guide and existing templates; - Drafts post-event summaries for posting on the SDG Lab website and disseminate with partners of the Lab; - At events, takes photographs and prepare social media content (e.g., tweets, LinkedIn posts).

Policy and administrative support - Prepares briefing materials for appointments, conference calls, meetings and missions, take minutes and ensure relevant follow-up actions; - Supports the selection and recruitment of SDG Lab Interns and their onboarding. Serves as first-level supervisor as required.

Competencies Professionalism: Possesses knowledge of different aspects of public advocacy and communication; Is able to conceptualize, design and implement public advocacy strategies on issues of economic and social transformation. Rapidly analyzes and integrates diverse information from varied sources. Masters technical conceptual knowledge, understanding and application of social media trends, strategic political communication as well as media partnerships. Diplomatically handles sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivates productive relationships. Is able to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style, as well as to deliver oral presentations to various audiences.

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.

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.

Education An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in project or programme management, administration, international relations, political science, social sciences, communications or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, communications, journalism, international relations, or related area is required.

Experience in the UN system or similar international organizations is required.

Experience in producing and disseminating public information materials, such as press releases, articles and opinion pieces is desirable.

Management experience is desirable.

Experience in web publication and content management systems is desirable.

Experience producing content for social media platforms (e.g. Twitter and Linkedln) for an international organization is desirable.

Experience in communicating on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs 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 French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

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

Special Notice The appointment against this position is limited to service in the United Nations Office at Geneva (UNOG).

Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

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.

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.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

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.