Public Information and Outreach Officer

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for Eastern Africa based in Nairobi, Kenya covers 13 countries including: Comoros, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Tanzania, Somalia, South Sudan and Uganda, with some countries hosting national offices, antenna or project offices. UNESCO Nairobi implements UNESCO programmes in education, natural Sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information. This United Nations Volunteers (UNV) assignment will be based in the Office of the Director of the Multisectoral Regional Office for Eastern Africa and will be supervised by the Regional Adviser for Communication and Information in Africa. The assignment will contribute to the visibility and realization of the various programmes undertaken by the Regional Office, guided by the global UNESCO’s priorities on Africa and Gender Equality, and in the implementation of the 11 regional priority programmes on Campus Africa, Green Skills 4 Green Jobs, ICTs transforming Education, Greening Education, STI-4-SURE, Water in times of Climate Change, Blue Economy, leaving no one behind, Sustainable Tourism Development in Eastern Africa, E-Heritage and Media 4 SDGs.

Under the overall authority of the Director of the UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for Eastern Africa, and the direct supervision of the Regional Adviser for Communication and Information in Africa, and in coordination with the Heads of Sectors, the incumbent oversees the public image and raise the visibility of UNESCO Multisectoral Regional Office for Eastern Africa through media and communications outreach, publication launch events, the office website and social media, ensuring that the contents Inform, Inspire and Engage the public.

The incumbent will support the communications goals of all units across UNESCO’s areas of competence and will work with programme units to prepare overall communications strategies, develop messaging and communication goals and implement strategies through appropriate media. As a central focal point operating under the Director’s Office, the incumbent respond to regular requests from colleagues for communications-related support around programme, publications, campaigns, launch events, etc. The incumbent also oversees the UNESCO Nairobi website and social media channels, ensuring that content is engaging and effective for all of UNESCO’s stakeholders, including general public.

In particular, the incumbent shall:

1. Serve as UNESCO Nairobi focal point for media and communication, pursuing content partnerships with media, as well as receiving press queries and facilitating interviews follow-up with colleagues.
2. Provide regular and timely updates to UNESCO Nairobi website with contents and news releases from the programme units by ensuring consistency with global communications guidelines, as well as UNESCO’s global narrative and vision Strategical plan, create and edit engaging content to develop UNESCO presence on major social media platforms by ensuring message consistency, graphic coherence, accuracy and high quality.
3. Serve as UNESCO focal point within the UN Communications Group in the countries covered by the Regional Office, seeking and building links and exchanges with the UN programmes, funds and agencies.
4. Write and edit public information materials (press releases, feature articles, op-eds, etc.) for Eastern-African media both offline and online in a journalistic style and in coordination with programme staff.
5. Train and provide capacity-building opportunities to staff in the region on newswriting, story-telling, photography and encourage drafting of web stories.
6. Act as the language editor of the UNESCO Nairobi e-newsletter, writing, editing as well as sourcing content and working with colleagues to develop reader-friendly stories, while growing the newsletter’s distribution list.
7. Serve as UNESCO Nairobi focal point for media relations at high-profile conferences and special events, liaising with partner agencies as needed in communications outreach.
8. Provide inputs into and contribute to the development and implementation of the office-wide new public information and outreach strategy as well as help guide the development of office-wide outreach products (videos pertaining to office-wide activities, etc).
9. Take lead on office communication strategies – advise programme units on communications strategies and approaches and aid in development.
10. Proactively monitor mentions and discussion of UNESCO in both offline and online media in the region to identify and respond to issues as needed in the interests of upholding and strengthening the organization’s image and reputation.
11. Monitor media coverage and report on a monthly basis on resulting UNESCO’s visibility, propose strategies to achieve better visibility and impact.
12. Collaborate with the national offices in Eastern Africa to support and improve when necessary their public information initiatives.
13. Undertake additional tasks as and when assigned by the Supervisor or the Director of UNESCO Nairobi. In line with UNESCO’s overall gender mainstreaming strategy, the Public Information and Outreach Officer is expected to integrate a gender perspective in all activities and apply gender analysis and mainstreaming concepts whenever feasible.

Core values

· Integrity · Respect for diversity · Professionalism

Competencies

· Accountability · Communication · Teamwork · Innovation · Results focused. · Planning and organising · Knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.

/of progressively responsible experience in media relations and/or journalism with a focus on the UNESCO’s areas of expertise. A minimum of two years of international professional experience is desirable.

Other desired technical knowledge:

· Graphic design skills. · Proficiency with video and photo editing tools. · Advanced knowledge of internet, social media, search engine optimization and web analytics technologies. · Demonstrated creativity. · Ability to manage competing priorities. · Strong interpersonal skills with demonstrated ability to work and maintain effective working relationships within a multicultural environment. · Problem-solving skills.

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, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities and risks in an international environment. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. 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 & 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.

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

Kenya is located in East Africa and holds the largest business, transportation and financial hub in the region. Its capital Nairobi experiences cool weather coupled with seasonal rains and adequate sunshine during the summer seasons. Nairobi is a cosmopolitan city and a family duty station, host to several international organizations including the UN Headquarters in Africa where also the Regional Offices are located and the World Bank. It is a modern city that offers adequate and affordable urban housing options, recreational facilities such as malls, theatres and the Nairobi National Park and has good road network. Connectivity to internet, electricity and water is assured and access to one’s preferred online services are available. The town hosts the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport which is a gateway to many other countries in the region and has local airports from which one can conduct local travel. The locals are warm and welcoming, an environment that makes it easy for any international visitor to live comfortably and adapt quickly. As an agriculture-based economy, access to fresh foods is assured with the option of globally known brands in food stores around the country. Banking facilities are available at affordable rates to enable access to financial services both locally and globally including forex exchange. Kenya upholds the right to freedom of expression very strongly and has a society that expresses its needs strongly both online and offline. Dress code is modern though traditional wear is also acceptable and all are encouraged to ensure decency in dress while in public. Well-equipped medical facilities are available 24 hours to offer medical services in case there is need and medical personnel are well trained. In terms of security, the Kenya is by large a safe country. However, utmost care should be taken when walking in busy streets and crowded malls and markets. Certain towns in of Kenya do experience insecurity arising from threats such as terrorist groups such as the Al Shabab, cattle rustling and gang theft. Due diligence should be undertaken before travelling outside Nairobi with the UNDSS to ensure that possible risk factors are determined and avoided. The incumbent will be provided a lumpsum for relocation costs, is entitled to a volunteer living allowance which includes UNV learning resources, insurance, and home visit as well as an exit allowance paid on successful completion of the assignment.