PUBLIC INFORMATION ASSISTANT

Contract

This is a G-6 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 6 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-6 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Public Information Assistant may be responsible for the following duties: • Provides specialized assistance in the production and delivery of information communications products and services. • Researches a broad scope of information sources, printed and electronic; compile and present information for use in the preparation and production of communications products/services for external audiences. • Researches, evaluates, selects, interprets, adapts, summarizes, translates and selects course of action from many open alternatives mainly on news reports and opinion pieces (in particular on political developments, human rights, rule of law, communities, reconciliation and gender, as well as media coverage of the Mission activities), in all formats and on all platforms, newspapers, online media, television, radio and social media and independently and autonomously compiles and presents information for use in the preparation and production of communications products/services in the format of two daily media monitoring newsletters; independently compiles, publishes and distributes content on the Mission’s media monitoring website and the daily morning and afternoon editions of the Mission’s public newsletter; provides additional support to the mission leadership and senior management with providing news alerts at the time of special breaking news occasions; provides specialized media monitoring (roundups, analysis) on thematic issues in support of various Mission component needs, the Mission's Youth and Gender strategy, and the Integrated Strategic Framework agreement with UN Kosovo team and agencies. • Contributes to the office Media landscape analysis; Keeps monitoring the changes and developments in the media landscape in Kosovo; Updates the media landscape analysis document co-authored by teammates. Advises the Office chief with the new developments and trends in media, and how to process media inquiries; Assists OSCPA chief in drafting press statements. • Contributes to the coverage of security council quarterly sessions on Kosovo such as provide translation and translation updates of the press release of SRSG’s statement at the quarterly SC session, live tweeting the statement, updating the mission's digital communications platforms, monitors, translates and distributes media coverage of the UNSC session, SRSG's statement, and SG report. • Supports organizing and executing special events such as conferences, panel discussions and screenings; contributes to outreach public information activities of the Mission, coordinating with diverse partners and the media to highlight and publicize key events. • Handles administrative coordination in support of special training and other programmes. • Performs junior photo-librarian functions that include provision of public information and library research services to requesters of photographic materials, and cataloguing/indexing of photographs. • Serves as the online marketing and promotion coordinator by overseeing the day-to-day marketing activities and working closely with the audio/visual webmaster to ensure successful branding techniques; undertakes proactive call and directs mail initiatives to build a client base and nurture relationships; produces a wide range of promotional products; and develops data collection mechanisms to gather data on the audience and end-users of UN audio/visual products. • Assists in the production and editing of video/film projects, radio programmes, or website projects: researches diverse print and electronic information sources for topics and materials for projects; suggests ideas on content, narration texts, audio excerpts, design elements, etc.; selects and catalogues sound/ visual materials and evaluates quality for inclusion in productions, and obtains requisite clearances and copyrights; prepares detailed “shot lists” of video and film material; transcribes audio materials available only on audio format, etc. • Assists in the electronic dissemination of programmes; prepares, maintains and updates web page, to include drafting and editing content; uploads/downs load audio files and maintains file structure. • Identifies and prepares new material for inclusion in appropriate web pages by: researching various information sources for relevant material and cross-checking information with author offices as required; identifying, retrieving and downloading pertinent documentation and other information in requisite programming languages for Web format or inserting into database after determining appropriate categorization; editing documents to conform to UN format, structure and style and preparing new pages, incorporating graphics as needed, using appropriate authoring tools and necessary programming languages; preparing and updating index of documents; posting documents on the UN web and/or development servers and ensuring the appropriate directory location; checking and testing for multiple browser support, etc. • Manages updates and further develops internal databases; update website; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases. • Provides guidance and training to junior staff. • Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures related to the communication, production and dissemination of public information. Ability to research and gather information from a variety of sources. 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. • 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.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least seven (7) years of experience in public communication, international broadcasting or related area, is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 5 for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English and Albanian is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

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. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

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. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.