PUBLIC INFORMATION ASSISTANT (2 positions)

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 These positions are located primarily in the Multimedia Resources Unit (MRU) of the Audiovisual Services Section (AVSS), of the Coverage and Media Services Branch (CMSB), in the News and Media Division, of the Department of Global Communications (DGC). The Unit provides audiovisual library and archival services and distribute multimedia contents to internal and external professional clients. It also provides design, development, and technical support for multimedia websites. Incumbents report to the Chief of the Unit.

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, including: research, retrieval, referral, distribution and other services, in answer to client’s requests for digital files, analog records, and their related supporting documentation.
• Supports technical operations related to audio-visual archiving of audio, video, photo and other multimedia assets and other curated audiovisual collections in order to keep them complete, up-to-date and consistent with AV archives standards and procedures for access and preservation.
• 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.
• Handles administrative coordination in support of special training and other programmes.
• Performs junior photo and audiovisual librarian functions that include provision of public information and library research services to requesters of audiovisual and photographic materials, and cataloguing/indexing of those multimedia assets.
• Oversees the distribution of audio and video materials; ensures the good management of the film/video archives, and the proper safekeeping/preservation of historical audio/visual materials.
• 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.
• Participates in planning and preparing legacy audiovisual records for digitization and managing their ingestion into media asset management system and performing archival and metadata quality control functions; identifies and selects appropriate and relevant excerpts of speeches and statements for voice-over processing and language adaptations; coordinates translation/adaptation of scripts, the recording of narrations and the preparation of electronic titles and graphics, etc.
• Assists in the electronic dissemination of programmes; prepares, maintains and updates web page, to include drafting and editing content; uploads/downs load audiovisual 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 multimedia websites; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases, including the preparation of legacy audiovisual records for digitization and managing their ingestion into media asset management system (MAMS) while performing archival and metadata quality control functions.
• Provides guidance and training to junior staff.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

  Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of multimedia assets management and relevant information systems and networks. Knowledge of policies, processes and procedures related to the communication, production and dissemination of public information. Knowledge of audiovisual library and archives processes and workflows. Knowledge of news and media production workflows, including knowledge of the operations of Photo, Radio, and Television. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

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.

Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Work Experience A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in public information communications, audiovisual library and archives, or related fields is required.

Experience in database management systems, maintenance of website where audio, video and photo are the primary content and web-based distribution media is required.

Experience with digital asset management systems is required.

Experience in nonlinear digital editing systems and workflows is desirable.

Experience in digital audiovisual and multimedia archiving formats and standards, metadata management and quality assurance is desirable.

Experience in photo caption writing, or related editorial/writing functions is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English 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 - Appointment or assignment against these positions is for an initial period of one year.

• These positions are subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

• Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

  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.

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.