PUBLIC INFORMATION ASSISTANT (Russian)

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 Russian Language Unit (RLU) of the Web Services Section (WSS) in the Digital and Promotion Branch (DPB), News and Media Division (NMD) 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 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.

Responsibilities Under the overall direct supervision of the Chief of the Russian Language Unit, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:

• Provides specialized assistance in the development of the UN Home Page (www.un.org) in collaboration with other Website Section staff in a language and deadline-oriented environment.
• Conceptualize and create dynamic web pages using Drupal 9 CMS - draft, design, edit and update web pages as needed and provide specialized editorial, design and programming assistance in the oversight and maintenance of the materials posted in Russian; and undertake search functions to compile relevant information pertinent to the site, as required.
• Researches original and/or new UN documents or information material that may be appropriate for the Russian language site.
• Identify pertinent documentation from the Official Document System in Russian; overseeing the linking of documents; determining appropriate categorization and adding appropriate languages title information.
• Edits externally translated material as needed to conform to format and structure consistent with the style developed for the UN website, and preparing and incorporating graphics as required, using appropriate web authoring tools, and creating necessary JavaScript and/or Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), in keeping with the Technical Guidelines.
• Prepares and updates index of documents, as well as posting documents by accessing the UN web and/or development servers and ensuring the documents are posted in appropriate directories.
• Resolves day-to-day questions in relation to the production process for web pages.
• Develops tailored templates for content management system and creating workflow structures to ensure data integrity and site efficacy.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with DGC and Secretariat staff who produce original content for the UN site and work with them, as well as assist the Website Editors/Language Coordinators in providing training, and briefing, demonstrations on the web.
• Assists in the production and editing of website projects: researches diverse print and electronic information sources for topics and materials for projects.
• 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 Russian 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 websites; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases.
• Analyze weekly statistics on web page usage to assess usefulness and relevance of material posted.
• Provides guidance/training to junior staff.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

  Competencies Professionalism: Knowledge of development and maintenance of multiple large websites in Russian; knowledge of web technologies, including CMS, such as WordPress or Drupal, HTML, CSS and JavaScript. Ability to work accurately and under pressure in a small team. 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 seven (7) 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 and content management systems (CMS), such as Drupal, 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 editing content and providing minor translation as needed is desirable.

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

Assessment Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice - Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year starting on 1 August 2023.

• 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.

• 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.

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.