DIRECTOR, INFORMATION CENTRE

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 125,812 USD and 162,208 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 in the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Beirut, within the Information Centres Service (ICS), Campaigns and Country Operations Division (CCOD), Department of Global Communication (DGC).

The UNIC Beirut is the principal source of information about the United Nations system in Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, and Syrian Arab Republic and is responsible for promoting public understanding and support for the aims and activities of the United Nations by disseminating UN information materials to a local audience in local language; engaging local and regional partners; and, overall, bringing the United Nations closer to the people it serves.

The incumbent is accountable to the Under-Secretary-General (USG) for Global Communications. He or she is under the general supervision of the Director of CCOD and reports directly to the Chief of ICS.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Supervise and carry out the work programme of UNIC Beirut; co-ordinate the work carried out by the centre; carry out programmatic and/or administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of UNIC Beirut, including preparation of budgets, assigning and monitoring of performance parameters and critical indicators, reporting on budget/programme performance, recruitment of staff and evaluation of staff performance; manage, guide, develop and train staff under his or her supervision; foster teamwork and communication among staff in the information centre and across organizational boundaries.
• In line with the Global Communications Strategy for the United Nations, takes the lead in strategy, planning, development and implementation of large communications campaigns of the Department of Global Communications (DGC) in the work region; where appropriate, works with departments, funds and agencies to develop ways to implement campaigns system-wide and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products; prepare or oversee preparation of a diverse range of information communications products in support of major campaign initiatives; draft material for UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books and edits drafts prepared by junior staff; maintain and may create networks of high level communications contacts with members of media, governmental agencies, international organizations, and civil society.
• Provide diverse materials (briefings, speeches, questions and answers, etc.), technical and policy advice on public information and communication issues related to the operation of UNIC Beirut to the Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications and other UN senior officials; provide Headquarters with media reports regarding conditions and public attitudes towards the UN in the work region; ensure that the policies and activities of the UN are conveyed accurately and promptly to the national authorities.
• Coordinate and liaise with UN entities on communications work/activities in the region of responsibility (Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, and Syrian Arab Republic); participate in activities to promote and coordinate the communications and public information aspect of visits by the Secretary-General, UN senior officials, and/or UN delegations to the work region; serve as spokesperson for public information programmes.
• Ensure that the outputs produced by UNIC Beirut maintain high quality standards and comply with the relevant mandates of the DGC; that reports are clear, timely, objective and based on comprehensive data; may contribute to the reporting to intergovernmental bodies on programmatic and/or substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports; may provide substantive input in the preparation of position papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies, as appropriate.
• Assist in the promotion of joint public relations ventures between the DGC and UN programmes and organs in Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, and Syrian Arab Republic; assist with the implementation of a strategy for strengthening the public information capacity of the Organization in Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, and Syrian Arab Republic as part of the United Nations Communications Group (UNCG).
• Lead and manage the coordination of the work of the UN Communications Group (UNCG) in Lebanon by serving as Chair of the UNCG; build and maintain information networks with UNCG members; provide feedback from the UNCT to the UNCG for strategic alignment and finetuning of the work of the UNCG; manage the promotion of joint communications support to the UNCGs and other UN programmes and organs based in Jordan, Kuwait, and Syrian Arab Republic; may serve as co-chairperson of the UNCGs in those countries.
• Assist in the organization of meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive issues in Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, and Syrian Arab Republic; may implement international, regional or national meetings, assisting with programmatic and/or substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions; represent UNIC Beirut at inter-agency meetings, seminars, etc. on substantive related issues.
• In coordination with the Resident Coordinators in Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, and Syrian Arab Republic, lead and provide crisis communications support to the RCOs, the UNCGs and other UN system entities in those countries.
• Provide strategic communication advice to the Resident Coordinators and UN Country Teams (UNCTs) in Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait and Syrian Arab Republic in designing, implementing and monitoring the UN joint communications strategy, promoting the UN Sustainable Development and Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) as a key instrument for planning and implementing UN development activities, in support of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

• Perform other relevant duties and special functions, as required by Headquarters.

  Competencies PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrated knowledge of public information techniques, including strategic communications; proven ability to implement effective media campaigns and to develop products and activities targeting the media; ability to identify communications opportunities and problems and to articulate these to clients. Ability to advise on communication challenges, assess communication environments, develop communication strategies, and manage implementation of public information campaigns in the work region with various promotional and publicity techniques. Ability to make decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization and to apply rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. 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.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.

LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

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 An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in journalism, communication, public information, international relations or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience, including three years at the international level, in public information, communication, journalism, international relations or related area is required.

Experience in strategic communications; public speaking; and working with the media is required.

Experience with the political, social and economic context of the working region is desirable.

Experience working with both traditional and social media platforms is desirable.

Experience in resource administration, including budget preparation, recruitment and conflict management is desirable.

Experience working in an international organization with a field component or comparable operation at the international level is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable.

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

Special Notice 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.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 31 March 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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.

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.