Internal Communications Officer

Result of Service The final expected outcome of the consultancy is a comprehensive Next Normal awareness-raising campaign that provides personnel an understanding of what can be expected in UNHQ’s Next Normal phase under each workstream included in the Next Normal plan for UNHQ and related tips and guidance. The consultancy should also gauge personnel’s experience to date in the Next Normal and propose recommendations for addressing any challenges identified.

Work Location Home Based with the possibility of some on site work

Expected duration 6 months

Duties and Responsibilities The COVID-19 pandemic and the “hybrid work model” presented a cultural change in the United Nations, accelerating transformation of processes, mindsets and behaviors in the workplace. The positive lessons learned and their mainstreaming into workplace policies, rules and regulations is captured in the Secretary-General’s Guiding Principles of the “United Nations Next Normal” 2022 and beyond. The Next Normal initiative led by the Secretary-General requires effective internal communications and engagement of all personnel and managers. The role of the Internal Communications Officer is to help inform and inspire personnel about the guiding principles for the Next Normal for UN personnel globally, and about the specific measures that will be rolled out to UN personnel at United Nations Headquarters. The position of Internal Communications Officer for the Next Normal initiative for United Nations Headquarters in New York will be located in New York and report to the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC) and have a technical reporting line to the Department of Global Communications (DGC). The incumbent will also work in close collaboration with other Next Normal lead departments, including the Department of Operational Support (DOS). While working closely with the Department of Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance (DMSPC), the Department of Global Communications (DGC) and other Next Normal lead departments on the design of these outputs, the Internal Communications Officer will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Develop an internal communications strategy for the Next Normal initiative and associated approved guidance; 2. Establish regular and reliable communications to keep UN staff informed and engaged on Next Normal initiatives; 3. Participate in senior-level planning, coordinate with all departments for input and reporting back on progress made when it comes to the Next Normal internal engagement and communications activities; and safeguard coherent messaging across departments and reporting on time; 4. Conceptualize, write, produce, and curate specific types of communications products (e.g., articles, messages, Q&As, FAQs, messaging docs, letters, talking points, PPTs and multimedia products, etc.) related to the Next Normal; 5. Liaise with the Graphic Design Unit on any visual design material; 6. Work closely with the internal communications team of the Department of Global Communications (the UN Intranet-iSeek) and regularly propose articles for posting on the intranet showcasing the various Next Normal workstreams and planned engagements activities; 7. Prepare and select panelists and themes for “virtual events” like iSeek Live events with functional experts from the various workstreams for New York or global audience, as appropriate; 8. Create best practices, tips, and tools from approved policies and guidance documents, and showcase them on the UN Intranet-iSeek and other relevant UN platforms as appropriate; 9. Coordinate and/or support engagement and awareness-raising activities, including “large, virtual meetings with senior UN managers and personnel (e.g., townhall) by preparing standard materials to be shared during these and other staff meetings; and conduct necessary follow-up, i.e., reporting on outcomes; 10. Promote linkages between the Next Normal and other related initiatives, e.g., the new “Values and Behaviours Framework” and other similar institutional initiatives.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, international relations, public relations, or related field. 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. Experience: A minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, journalism, international relations, public relations or related area is required. Experience working in communications, including internal communication, at the United Nations or other international organization for a minimum of two years is desirable. Experience writing and producing public information and communications materials (e.g., articles, feature stories, Q&As, FAQs, press releases, messaging and talking point documents), including on change management, and coordinating communications activities (e.g. panels, moderated conversations) is required. Experience conceptualizing and producing multimedia feature materials is required. Experience in project management is desirable. Experience in compiling data analytics is desirable. Language: English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable

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.