Public Information Officer (PIO)

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA provides support to the Emergency Relief Coordinator (ERC), who works with the Secretary-General and the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) in leading, coordinating and facilitating humanitarian assistance to respond to the needs of affected people, which includes internally displaced persons (IDPs). See www.unocha.org.

Monitor and analyze current events, public opinion and press, identify issues and trends, and advise management on appropriate action/response. Draft analytical reports on the humanitarian situation in the region, as requested; Research, report, write and produce text stories, audio and video reports. Prepare news reports, features and materials on main events and issues affecting humanitarian issues in West and Central Africa; Liaise with national and international media where necessary to provide them with relevant humanitarian information and facilitate media coverage of needs, constraints and humanitarian response. Prepare / conduct activities such as press conferences, field visits, or other activities specifically dedicated to the media. Use social media, such as Twitter and Facebook to inform humanitarian partners, media and other stakeholders on developments in West and Central Africa; Prepare weekly updates and monthly reports (English and French) on the humanitarian situation in the region; Closely liaise with UN agencies, NGOs, international organizations and other relevant entities, including donors and media, to enhance information gathering and dissemination and ensure prompt and accurate dissemination of information on the situation; Prepare and implement public information campaigns aimed at increasing the awareness of the local population and civil society of humanitarian issues and principles guiding humanitarian action; Contribute to the production of internal daily and weekly updates, snapshots, maps and other visual products; Conduct or participate in field missions/visits to collect first-hand information and to conduct awareness/advocacy ("outreach") to various audiences. Co-organize and co-chair communications meetings with humanitarian partners; Analyse donor funding and opportunities in the region and produce donor targeted advocacy material; Provide guidance to, and may supervise, more junior personnel; When working with (including supervising) national personnel or (non-)governmental counterparts, set aside dedicated time for capacity development, through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training; Any other related tasks as may be required or assigned by the supervisor.

Ability to perform duties under stress and in insecure, isolated and potentially hostile environments; Sound security awareness; Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian action, post-conflict or natural disaster situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System.

communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or other relevant field is required; a first-level university degree (i.e. Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned academic disciplines in combination with qualifying relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree Experiences in public information and/or humanitarian affairs. Good knowledge and prior usage of social media such as Facebook and Twitter is essential Experience in the context of international development, humanitarian relief or complex emergencies are strong assets Familiarity with the UN system and West and Central Africa would also be of advantage Strong overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.), and office technology equipment

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment. A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three). The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications and other basic needs. The VLA can be computed by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$ 1,631. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a monthly basis according to the cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website http://icsc.un.org. For UN Volunteer entitlements, kindly refer to the link https://vmam.unv.org/calculator/entitlements In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive a Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis. Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another duty station. UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements). UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment. UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the successful candidate.