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 the UN Video Section, in the News and Media Division (NMD) of the Department of Global Communications (DGC). The UN Video Section produces video content highlighting a wide range of priority themes and issues on the United Nations agenda, including climate change, the Sustainable Development Goals, human rights and gender equality. The incumbent will report directly to the Multimedia TV Producer/Managing Editor of UNifeed.

Responsibilities Under the supervision of the Chief of the Video Section and reporting directly to the Multimedia TV Producer/Managing Editor of UNifeed, the Public Information Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provides specialized assistance in the production and delivery of the daily UNifeed packages and posts on the UNifeed website.
• Researches a broad scope of information sources, printed and electronic; compiles and presents information for use in the preparation and production of communications products/services for external audiences.
• Organizes and executes special coverage , and coordinates with diverse partners and the media to highlight and publicize key events.
• Handles administrative coordination in support of special training and other programmes.
• Oversees the distribution of video materials; ensures the good management of the film/video archives, and the proper safekeeping/preservation of historical visual materials.
• Assists in the production, script writing and editing of news packages from UN headquarters and the field: researches diverse print and electronic information sources for topics to cover breaking news; suggests ideas on content, narration texts, excerpts, selects visual materials and evaluates quality for inclusion in productions, and obtains requisite clearances and copyrights; prepares detailed “shot lists” of video and film material.
• Participates in planning and execution of daily UNifeed productions ; records meetings, interviews and other events using video camera; directs shooting on location; performs digital editing of inserts and other components of programmes; arranges for interviews with officials, experts and others for news package; monitors meetings and other newsworthy events ; identifies and selects appropriate and relevant excerpts of speeches and statements for processing.
• Assists in the electronic dissemination, compilation and play out of UNifeed output; prepares, maintains and updates the UNifeed web page ; uploads/downloads video files and maintains file structure.
• Identifies and prepares new material for inclusion in UNifeed website by: researching various information sources for relevant material and cross-checking information with author offices and in the field as required; edits material to conform to UN format, structure and style ; monitors social media platforms for comments and feedback.
• Manages a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases; collects data and compiles reports on UNifeed outputs.
• 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.

• 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.

• TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

  Education High school diploma or equivalent is required.

  Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations or related area is required.

  Experience in video production, including filming and digital video editing is required.

  Experience in a news environment is required.

  International field experience is desirable

  Experience in producing for social media and digital communication platforms is desirable

  Experience in re-purposing/re-versioning TV content for broadcast and digital platforms is desirable.

  Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written 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 this position is for an initial period of one year.

This position is 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.