Head, Communications Unit

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 138,820 USD and 178,980 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 Communications Unit (COM) reports to the Director, Legal Affairs and External Relations Bureau, and is responsible for developing a strategic communications plan for the Organisation and implementing comprehensive internal communications and external public information programmes. Its external public information function is mainly comprised of corporate communications, advocacy and outreach, and related media relations responsibilities, in addition to the promotion of non-revenue generating ICAO events and initiatives. These latter efforts are complemented by, and closely coordinated with, the outputs of a separate marketing communications team in ICAO which is affiliated directly with its revenue generating activities. The internal communications functions of the COM Unit promote staff adoption and use of enterprise engagement products such as the SharePoint Modern Intranet and Viva Engage corporate timeline, and additionally focus on promoting ICAO’s internally-directed strategies and projects. This function is conducted in close coordination with the Office of the President, Office of the Secretary General, ICAO’s Human Resources leadership and team, and ad hoc special project teams supporting the latest ICAO business plan, change management, and other corporate initiatives.

Responsibilities

Function 1 (incl. Expected results) Manages and supervises the Communications Unit, achieving results such as: • Develop, implement and monitor the progress of the Unit’s annual internal and external communications operating plans, and oversee their reporting and administration using current internal systems. • Oversee the COM Unit budget, including annual proposals for any contingency workforce or special project deliverables not covered by existing financial resources. • Mutually agree on individual annual work plans with COM staff members and consultants, engaging with each and managing their performance throughout the year as per the requirements of applicable ICAO systems and policies. • Prepare reports and inputs as required to support the supervisor with any COM-related engagements with the ICAO Council or its Committees. Function 2 (incl. Expected results) Guides and collaborates to externally promote ICAO achievements and results for government, industry, and general public audience segments, emphasizing the distinction between the States who collaborate and make decisions through the Organization and the ICAO Secretariat of international civil servants which supports them. Expected results include: • Draft a strategic communications plan for the Organization in coordination with other Bureaus and offices, including Regional Offices. • Make continuous contributions to the packaging and refinement of the speeches, articles, interviews, forewords, personal social media posts and PowerPoint presentations developed on behalf of ICAO’s Secretary General and Council President, in conjunction with the COM Officer and ICAO policy lead contributors. • Promote, in cooperation with lead Bureaus and Offices, ICAO’s Strategic Objectives and prioritized advocacy and focus areas for international civil aviation. • Establish effective media and trade media relations with relevant outlets and stakeholders. • Oversee the ICAO public website and guide site improvements. • Oversee the COM team’s prompt coordination of news products, editorial content, and social media publishing on all relevant ICAO developments, and contribute to their messages’ refinement and reach. • Coordinate and publish the Annual Report of the Council, in collaboration with other Secretariat business units. • Promote all non-revenue generating ICAO events and programmes, including the triennial ICAO Assembly, and supporting the coordination of major ICAO celebrations. • Maintain effective relations and partnerships in support of the ICAO Communications Strategy with relevant national groups, private sector supplier and industry organizations, educational organizations, UN sister agencies and international organizations, etc. • Review and re-specify ICAO’s primary external audience segments each triennium. • Continuously review PR technologies and tools to assure ICAO is leveraging latest innovations to the full potential of its brand and messaging. Function 3 (incl. Expected results) Assists ICAO HR and other business units and special project and programme teams with the development of effective internal communications capacities and outputs, achieving results such as: • Develop an annual internal communications calendar with OSG and HR stakeholders. • Triennially review and update the ICAO internal Communications Strategy. • Review and re-specify ICAO’s internal audience segments each triennium. • Organize press seminars at Headquarters for groups of journalists from Member States (in collaboration with the resident national delegations). • Support and guide strategy, planning, development and implementation of communications campaigns (e.g. public information programmes for a region, broad-reaching subject-specific issues, etc.); where appropriate; work with departments, and agencies to develop ways to implement campaigns organization-wide and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products. • Undertake activities to promote media coverage of priority issues and/or major events. Build information networks, plan and oversee maintenance of publicly accessible information materials and plan and develop outreach activities. • Oversee ICAO intranet and guide improvements thereto. Function 4 (incl. Expected results) Guides and collaborates with the COM Officer to provide expert advice and up-to-date information to the supervisor and other decision-makers on issues concerning communications and public affairs, achieving results such as: • Identify, analyse and manage major communications situations which could impact the work of ICAO by providing an early warning to senior management. • Anticipate and recommend actions to address or resolve communications-related issues and problems. • Prepare and revise policies and strategies in order to adjust the Organization posture on current issues, trends, and developments. • Develop and regularly update key and sensitive issue talking points. Function 5 (incl. Expected results) Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communications. Demonstrated ability to conceptualise, implement, and track effective information/communications initiatives targeting international audience segments. Ability to advise on sensitive communications challenges. Ability to assess various communications environments, draft communications strategies and manage implementation of public information campaigns with various promotional and publicity techniques. Ability to handle confidential material with discretion and difficult situations with diplomacy and tact. Superior writing, speaking and general communication skills in the English language. Ability to produce a variety of written -communications products in a clear, concise style. High degree of familiarity and proficiency with the latest in digital marketing and collaboration technologies. Ability to present and defend difficult positions to senior officials. Proven credibility, interpersonal and team skills. 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 the audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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. Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. 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. Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

An advanced-level university degree (Master’s degree or academic equivalent) in public information, communications or journalism, or related field is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in progressively responsible professional positions in public information/relations, corporate or marketing communications, or a related area, and including staff supervisory and performance management responsibilities is required. • Experience in rapidly analysing and integrating diverse and technical information from varied sources to produce clear and concise communications products is required. • High degree of familiarity with the international air transport sector is desirable. • Communications or Public Information experience within the United Nations system organizations is desirable.

Languages

• Fluent reading, writing and speaking abilities in English is required. • A working knowledge of French is desirable. • A working knowledge of any other language of the Organization (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Spanish) is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

The ICAO Assembly recently reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing gender equality and the advancement of women by supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.” Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for ICAO positions, especially in the Professional and higher level categories. It should be noted that this post is to be filled on a fixed-term basis for an initial period of 3 years (first year is probationary for an external candidate). ICAO staff members are international civil servants subject to the authority of the Secretary General and may be assigned to any activities or offices of the Organization, in accordance with the provisions of the ICAO service code (Staff Regulations). ICAO staff members are expected to conduct themselves in a manner befitting their status as international civil servants. In this connection, ICAO has incorporated the 2013 Standards of Conduct for the International Civil Service into the ICAO Personnel Instructions. ICAO offers an attractive benefit package to its employees in accordance with the policies of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). The statutory retirement age for staff entering or re-entering service after 1 January 2014 is 65. For external applicants, only those who are expected to complete a term of appointment will normally be considered. Remuneration: Level P-4 Rate Net Base Salary per annum + Post Adjustment (net) per annum() USD $77,326 + USD $36,962 () Post Adjustment is subject to change.

United Nations Considerations

In accordance with ICAO Staff Regulations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Due regard shall be paid to the importance of recruiting staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible and ensuring equal gender representation. Subject to the foregoing, selection of staff members shall be made without distinction as to race, sex or religion, nor shall there be any discrimination on account of any disability of a candidate who meets the qualifications required to perform the tasks. Unless otherwise permitted under the ICAO Staff Regulations, appointment and promotion of staff members shall be made on a competitive basis. Candidates will not be considered for employment with ICAO 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. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. 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 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 in Inspira will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

ICAO does NOT charge any fees or request money from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process, nor does it concern itself with bank account details of applicants. Requests of this nature allegedly made on behalf of ICAO are fraudulent and should be disregarded.