PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Contract

This is a P-4 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 7 years of experience, depending on education.

Salary

The salary for this job should be between 146,826 USD and 189,301 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 The position is located in Kinshasa (Utex Africa Building) in the Office of Strategic Communication and Public Information Division in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO). The Mission mandate is to assist the political transition, progress towards democratic governance, in the protection and promotion of human rights, and sustainable peace; support peace processes and accompany the implementation of peace and security agreements; assist peacebuilding, civilian protection and rule of law; and support the mobilization of economic and development assistance and coordination of humanitarian assistance.

Responsibilities The Public Information Officer may be responsible for the following duties:

1.Prepares or oversees the production of radio of communications products and content across multiple platforms ensuring accurate and consistent messaging, branding, and alignment with the communications strategy. a. Oversees the editorial staff and ensure coverage of activities related to the mission as well as significant political, social, and cultural events in the country, as appropriate. b. Responsible for all aspects of production of radio programmes, including public service announcements, news stories, features and documentaries for local, regional and international use; devise an appropriate national, regional and international distribution system for the mission’s radio and its digital platforms. c. Ensure that the radio program integrates and utilizes new digital media platforms and opportunities , including overseeing its digital transformation while linking with SCPID and UNHQ digital platforms and tools.

2.Conceptualizes, manages, implements and evaluates communications strategies and activities a. Based on the Mission communication strategy, be profoundly involved in detecting where the mission policies are in need of support in communication terms and formulate a sound approach of providing such a support, while updating and executing a strategy for media relations, publications, web and digital media including social media, community outreach and/or radio products with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for the Mission’s work and support for UN Peacekeeping or Special Political mandate and priorities. b. Reports to Mission leadership, UNHQ on communications activities, developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN; and coordinates and shares public information activities and guidance with other sections of the Public Information Unit and leadership when appropriate. c. Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of public affairs issues, methods, and approaches as they pertain to the DRC and the Great lakes region and context. d. Identifies and seeks new opportunities for advancing the Mission, anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems. e. Oversees statistical analysis of media monitoring, social media and web usage and adapts editorial and outreach priorities accordingly.

3.Engages with media and strengthens partnerships a. Provides press briefings and interviews to national and international media; drafts and issues press statements and press releases as necessary; establishes and maintains a cooperative relationship with local and international journalists; b. Fluency in digital communication with strong understanding of social media and keeps abreast of changing developments, trends, and technologies. c. Arranges interviews and/or background briefings with senior Mission officials and facilitates the daily work of journalists covering the Mission. d. Sets up regular system of media guidance and monitoring and develops contact list of journalists and media outlets covering all media - print, TV, radio, social media, web, photo etc. - and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media. e. Responds in a timely fashion to disinformation that could impact negatively on the public perception of the Mission and/or the Mission’s leadership, etc.

4.Develops partnerships and represents the Head or Deputy Head of the Unit in meetings/conferences, speaking engagements a. Develops outreach initiatives to raise visibility of the Mission by organizing and/or participating in seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization. b. In consultation with supervisor, develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of public information objectives; c. Serves as a principal liaison to media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, etc. d. Represents the Mission in meetings and conferences; fulfils speaking engagements, makes presentations to groups on UN humanitarian activities and advocates for issues of concern;

5.Builds communication capacity and team management a. Manages the day-to-day operation of the unit including participating in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the unit, interpreting and disseminating policy, providing procedural advice, improving reporting systems, handling operational and administrative queries, preparing budget submissions, establishing and/or coordinating training programmes and monitoring and evaluating results. b. Provides clear directions that are translated from organizational strategy. Encourages others to pursue development opportunities and creates genuine learning opportunities for them. c. In close coordination with the Chief, manages and supervises public information and consultants to achieve the outputs and quality assurance of all activities; establishing work plans, required resources, priorities, timelines and performance benchmarks. Monitors progress and takes timely action and/or decisions to ensure objectives are met; d. Participates in recruitment, supervision and evaluation of staff as appropriate.

6.Other related duties that may be assigned.

Competencies Professionalism: Shows pride in work and 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. 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 the 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, public administration or related field. A first level university degree in combination with two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

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

Radio digital transformation knowledge is required. Knowledge of managing radio reporters in telecommuting working environment and remote mini studios is required.

Experience of training and managing radio broadcast station in a country emerging from conflict is desired

Experience of coordinating an emerging children Radio station is desired.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable.

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

Special Notice 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.

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.

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.