PUBLIC INFORMATION ASSISTANT (two 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 The positions are located in the Information Management Unit (IMU) of the Information Centres Service (ICS) in the Campaigns and Country Operations Division (CCOD) of the Department of Global Communications (DGC).

The Information Management Unit provides information dissemination support to the public information and communications activities of the global network of the United Nations information centres (UNICs). To learn more about the UNICs, visit United Nations Information Centres (UNICs) worldwide | United Nations.

The incumbent reports directly to the Chief of IMU and is under the overall supervision of the Chief of the Programme Support Section (PSS).

Responsibilities Within delegated authority, 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 dissemination of key communication guidance to the global network of UN information centres (UNICs) and communication specialists throughout the UN system.
• 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 internal and external audiences.
• Serves as focal point for online communication platforms managed by the global network of UN information centres; reviews platforms for compliance with organisational standards and policies; identifies problems/issues and liaises with appropriate personnel for their resolution; posts content to these platforms as needed.
• Organises and executes special events, trainings and/or meetings (e.g. webinars, videoconferences etc.), coordinating with diverse partners to highlight and publicize key events and campaigns to large audiences.
• Handles administrative coordination in support of UN information centres’ public information programmes, such as pouch transmission, distribution patterns for publications, dissemination of information materials etc.
• Develops surveys and data collection mechanisms to assess UNIC operations, graphically illustrates findings using data visualization and develops template designs for resultant report.
• Assists in the electronic dissemination of communication programme information materials; prepares, maintains and updates web pages, to include drafting and editing textual/graphical content; uploads/downloads electronic files and maintains file structure.
• Identifies and prepares new material for inclusion in appropriate web pages, knowledge-sharing tools, and social media platforms by: researching various information sources for relevant material and cross-checking information with author offices as required; identifying, retrieving and downloading pertinent information materials; inserting into database after determining appropriate categorization; editing materials to conform to UN format, structure and style and preparing new content, incorporating graphics as needed, using appropriate authoring tools and data visualization techniques; preparing and updating index of documents; posting documents on the content management systems or document management servers and ensuring the appropriate directory location; checking and testing for multiple browser support, etc.
• Manages and updates internal databases; updates website; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases.
• Provides guidance and training to junior staff and/or interns at Headquarters or in the global network of UN information centres.

• Performs other related 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.

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 years of experience in public information, communications, international broadcasting or related area is required.

Experience working with electronic dissemination of communications materials and managing mailing lists to field offices is required.

Experience facilitating remote collaboration though knowledge-sharing platforms/content management systems ie. SharePoint and by organizing online webinars/meetings is required.

Experience working with surveys, databases and data visualization software such as Power BI is desirable.

Experience with graphic design and web publishing tools such as Adobe, Canva or Drupal are desirable.

Experience working within the United Nations Common System, or a comparable international organization is desirable.

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

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

Special Notice 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.

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.

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.