Public Information Officer (Communications)

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 90,970 USD and 117,287 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 area of Public Information and Communications of the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) in Turin, Italy. The incumbent reports to the Director of UNICRI.

For more information on UNICRI, please visit http://www.unicri.it/

Responsibilities Within assigned authority, the Public Information Officer (Communications) will manage a small team of public information personnel and will be responsible for the following specific duties:

1. Communication campaigns: - Take the lead in strategy, planning, development and implementation of communications campaigns (e.g. global or thematic promotion initiatives, public information for a region, broad-reaching subject specific issues, etc.); where appropriate, work with programmes to develop ways to implement campaigns system-wide and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products. - Produce and manage the preparation of daily content for UNICRI's social media platforms. - Prepare and manage the preparation of a diverse range of information communications products in support of major campaign initiatives. - Ensure quality control over all communications activities and products. - Evaluate results and impact of communications activities; report on relevant developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN. - Provide advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of media and public affairs issues, methods, and approaches; anticipate and resolve communications/public relations issues/problems.

2. Strategic partnerships: - Develop strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of promotional and communications objectives; serve as a spokesperson/principal liaison to media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations. - Contribute to the planning and implementation of external outreach activities in support of the UNICRI Strategic Programme Framework and implementation of the UNICRI Resource Mobilization Plan. - Prepare presentations and communications materials for potential donors on various thematic UNICRI programmes.

3. Media liaison/spokesperson: - Serve as the Institute’s key advisor on media and communications matters, including traditional media, new social and digital media, and speech writing. - Represent the Institute in meetings and conferences; fulfill speaking engagements and make presentations to groups on UNICRI activities and advocates for issues of concern. - Organize and manage media coverage and media contacts, briefings, interviews; seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the Institute. - Supervise the research, drafting and editing of information materials (press releases, statements, speeches, opinion pieces), and ensure quality control of the same, on behalf of the Director of UNICRI; ensure quality control and messaging of speeches prepared for the Director of UNICRI and advise programme staff on the same. - Proactively expand and maintain UNICRI's network of media contacts in relevant global, regional, and national markets. - Coordinate with UNHQ Spokespersons, as relevant, for the dissemination of key messages, press releases, and statements.

4. Publications programme, knowledge management and website: - Manage publications programme, including materials for print/electronic/ voice/visual media. - Build information networks; plan and oversee maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on UNICRI. - Supervise the content and the development of UNICRI’s website pages. - Devise and maintain a system for the classification and management of content for UNICRI’s online information systems and platforms, including the website, various portals and digital libraries. - Design UNICRI’s knowledge architecture, taxonomy and metadata. Capture metadata for online information products for storage, searching, sharing and retrieval of content. - Coordinate with UN Publications and UN DH Library in New York for dissemination of UNICRI’s print and digital publications.

5. Management: - Manage a small team of public information personnel and consultants or individual contractors, including performance management, delegation and oversight of responsibilities. - Support or oversee support for recruitment and contracting processes of public information personnel. - Manage the financial expenditures and budget of the Unit. - Manage and coordinate the substantive delivery of the Unit.

Perform other work-related duties, as required.

Competencies Professionalism: Has knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Is able to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Has ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Has ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Has ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Has ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Has 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.

Planning& Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development.

Education An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, law or related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible professional work experience, including five years at the international level, in public information, public relations, media and communications or related area is required.

Experience in planning and implementing communication campaigns in a multilateral context is required.

A minimum of two years of experience in managing media and social media at the international level is required.

Working experience within the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable.

Experience in fund raising and technical cooperation is desirable.

Experience in speech-writing is desirable.

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

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

Special Notice This position is funded from extra-budgetary resources. The initial appointment will be for a period of one year and will be limited to service with UNICRI. Any extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of funds. In view of the nature of the funding of the present position, should a UN Secretariat staff member apply and be selected for this position with the Institute, such selection will be implemented on a temporary basis.

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.

At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.

The United Nations are committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Turin is classified in the H category (family duty station).

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.