Public Information Assistant (French)

Contract

This is a G-5 contract. This kind of contract is known as General Service and related categories. It is normally only for nationals. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education. More about G-5 contracts.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the French Language Unit of the Web Services Section (WSS) in the Digital and Promotion Branch, News & Media Division of the Department of Global Communications (DGC). The Web Services Section oversees the design, layout, production and presentation of the top layers of the UN website in all six official languages, including the homepage, the five thematic portals (Peace and Security, Development, Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs, and International Law), as well as comprehensive background information about the UN such as global issues, and events, including all UN international observances.

The Section ensures parity of website content in the six official UN languages for the following UN Organs: General Assembly, Security Council, and ECOSOC, as well as the Executive Office of the Secretary-General and the Office of the President of the General Assembly. The Language Units of WSS provide digital language adaptation services whereby digital products such as graphics, video, and different digital media are rendered usable in languages other than English (for example, by video subtitling).

The Section also provides guidance and assistance to Secretariat offices in creating and enhancing their websites in all UN official languages. WSS promotes best practices for UN websites and other Internet-related activities, including multilingualism, usability, and accessibility for the disabled. The incumbent will report to the Chief of Unit.

The position is available as soon as possible through 30 November 2021.

Responsibilities Under the overall guidance of the Chief of the Web Services Section and the supervision of the Chief, French Language Unit, the incumbent performs the following functions:

1. Provides general support; responds to complex information requests and inquiries; processes, drafts and finalizes correspondence and other communications; sets up and maintains files/records, and monitors deadlines.

2. Manages, updates and further develops internal databases; updates portion of the web site with Content Management System (CMS), to include drafting and editing content; assists in design, development, and maintenance of internet applications; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases.

3. Assists in localization of media content from English, and adaptation of content for French speaking audiences for use on UN websites.

4. Assists in the posting of content on the UN websites; monitors, analyzes, and reports on the impact achieved via its usage by target audiences.

5. Researches for authorized materials, compiles and presents basic information for use in the preparation and production of communications products/services.

6. Uses relevant computer software: creates designs in the appropriate format for promotional and other materials, e.g., brochures, presentation materials, announcements, and videos; ensures that photos, graphics are appropriate and conform to UN standards.

7. Assists in the production and editing of website projects; tracks all production material; obtains requisite clearances and copyrights; converts content into HTML, using HTML conversion. Uses software programmes, such as Dreamweaver, Photoshop and Illustrator to create and edit web pages and to prepare and incorporate images and graphics as needed in the language required and consistent with the UN style guides. Checks hyperlinks within HTML on a regular basis.

8. Assists in designing pages for new sites, incorporating CSS framework and javascript framework.

9. Monitors the performance of computer-based editing systems for correct digital file management: including reviewing entries, file storage, retention, and deletion practices to ensure consistent application of basic guidelines; identifies problems/issues and liaises with appropriate personnel for their resolution.

10. Identifies and prepares new material for inclusion in applicable web pages including site indices by researching various information sources for relevant content and cross-checking information with author offices as required; retrieving and downloading pertinent documentation and other information in requisite programming languages for web format or inserting into database after determining appropriate categorization; preparing new pages, incorporating graphics as needed, using proper authoring tools and necessary programming languages; preparing and updating index of documents; posting documents on the UN web and development servers and ensuring the appropriate directory location, using FTP; checking and testing for multiple browser support, including compliance with the requirements for access by the disabled, etc.

11. Provides guidance and training to junior staff.

12. Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge and ability to design and maintain a extensive website in French; Knowledge of design and encoding of web pages; 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.

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 the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; Understands applicability and limitations 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.

Work Experience A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in public communications, production and dissemination of information communication products and services on a website platform or related area is required. Experience using web authoring tools, such as Dreamweaver and Photoshop or other graphic design software, is required. Experience in HTML and CSS (cascading style sheets) coding is required. Experience working on multilingual websites is desirable. Experience using video editing software is desirable. Experience editing content and researching is desirable.

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

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

Special Notice - This position is temporarily available until 30 November 2021. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• 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 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; or the United Nations Accounting or Statistical Assistant Examination at the United Nations Headquarters 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.