PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-3 contract. This kind of contract is known as Professional and Director staff. It is normally internationally recruited only. It's a staff contract. It usually requires 5 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 116,975 USD and 153,170 USD.

Please keep in mind that the salary displayed here is an estimation by UN Talent based on the location and the type of contract. It may vary depending on the organization. The recruiter should be able to inform you about the exact salary range. In case the job description contains another salary information, please refer to this one.

Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Media Relations Unit within the Communications and Public Information Section of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), Juba. Juba is classified in the "E" category and as a non-family duty station. The Incumbent directly reports to the Spokesperson and Head of Media Relations Unit.

Responsibilities Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Public Information Officer may be responsible for the following duties:

• Undertakes activities to promote media coverage of priority issues, events and activities conducted by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, including facilitating press conferences, media visits, interviews, press seminars and other such activities.
• Analyzes national, regional, and international media and social media content on political developments and issues including the South Sudanese peace process and elections; and prepares specialized media coverage reports on press statements, press conferences, events, and specific issues.
• Tracks complex and fast-moving issues utilizing a high degree of political judgment, supporting strategic communications and risk and reputation management for the Mission. Identifies content that may constitute disinformation, misinformation and hate-speech and advises on appropriate action/responses using an integrated and whole of Mission approach.
• Develops media and digital media monitoring, archiving and dissemination systems to monitor and evaluate growing amount of information on various platforms of relevance to the Mission. Keeps abreast of best practices, data analytics tools and new technology, and communities of practice to help inform senior leadership decision-making.
• Develops, builds and maintains strong relationships with local, national and regional media contacts, serving as a trusted source of information.
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders (political and civil affairs, human rights, child protection, etc), and cross-cutting teams, UN agencies, funds and programmes to develop and implement impactful communications strategies.
• Drafts and distributes press statements, FAQs, key messages, responses to media queries, initiates pro-active media outreach, and analyzes and reports on the impact of coverage.
• Adapts and rewrites complex topics and content for external audiences and develops key messages for Mission leaders and key stakeholders, engaging strategies that act as a multiplier effect across all mandated areas.
• Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies.
• Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc.
• Supports the updating, coordination and management of the Section’s publications, strategies, guidance and standard operating procedures.

• Provides guidance to, and may supervise, more junior staff.

  Competencies •PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective strategic communication campaigns and programmes, e.g. media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities, and risks in an international environment. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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.

•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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

•CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box"; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Education Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, political science public relations or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

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

Experience with conflict settings and crisis communications is required.

Experience managing media relations in an international setting is required.

Experience drafting and editing communications content in a politically sensitive environment, including press releases, press lines, talking points and media analysis reports is required.

Experience working in the region is desirable.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English, both oral and written are required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

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

Special Notice Extension of the appointment is subject to Extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.

Qualified women that meet the requirements of this job opening are particularly encouraged to apply and will be given full consideration in accordance with the United Nations efforts to increase women participation in its workforce.

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.