SPOKESPERSON

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 Communications and Public Relations Office of the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), duty station Abyei. The incumbent will report directly to the Chief of Staff/Principal Officer or their designate.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Spokesperson will be responsible for the following duties: • Outreach and Advocacy, including media relations, giving on-record and background press briefings and interviews; under the guidance of the Chief of Staff, conceptualizing, developing, updating and executing a media strategy and work plan, including utilizing digital and multimedia platforms; developing and implementing a system of daily media monitoring and analysis to meet the needs of the Head of Mission and senior leadership; drafting and issuing press statements and press releases proactively; managing media relations by maintaining and building a network of influential media and establishing and maintaining a cooperative relationship with local and international journalists; arranging interviews and/or background briefings with senior mission official and facilitating the daily work of journalists covering the mission; facilitating media visits to the mission area; responding in a timely fashion to disinformation that could impact negatively on the public perception for the Mission and/or the mission’s leadership; conceptualize and implement timely communication strategies in reaction to crisis situations • Translate political strategy of leadership into media relations strategy and faithfully represent and advocate the Mission’s position. Anticipate and contribute to the resolution of communications/public relations issues/problems. • Coordinate activities and share guidance and messaging with the public affairs component of the overseeing Department in UNHQ, Office of the Spokesperson of the Secretary-General (OSSG), the Department of Public Information (DPI), agencies, funds and programmes as well as the UN Country Team to fulfill specific and overall strategic communications objectives of the Mission. • Draft material for UN newsletters, periodicals, web and social media, reports and edits drafts prepared by junior officers. • Gather accurate and up-to-date information on mission activities and priorities and plan and prepare press materials and official statements on behalf of the mission. • Engage and maintain contact with online audiences through Twitter and other digital and social media channels used by the Mission by producing regular and timely tweets and updates on behalf of the Spokesperson’s office understanding the advantages and risks of various social media platforms. • Evaluate results and impact of communications activities; report on developments, trends and public attitudes regarding the UN • Under guidance of the Chief of Public Information, provide support to other work streams of Public Information Unit, notably internal communications, including review and clearing of stories and other internal communications materials specifically for the Mission. • Represent the mission in public forums, conferences and events and fulfill speaking engagements. • In coordination with the Chie of Staff, liaise with counterparts in the government and diplomatic community, local authorities, civil society, media associations and other key constituencies to ensure key messages are conveyed. • Management duties, including assisting in recruitment, supervision and evaluation of staff as appropriate. Assist in the design, submission and allocation of the budget as appropriate; identify extra-budgetary funding and resources in support of communications activities and forge external partnerships; manage a team of media relations staff, including coordinating functions such as media accreditation, news monitoring and analysis and response to media and public inquiries. • Develop and implement a capacity building plan for media relations staff, especially national staff, where appropriate. Advise and support mission leadership in media skills development, as appropriate. • Develop radio content for the mission internet radio. • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: 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 f ormat to match the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology. 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 and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, broadcasting, social sciences or other related fields. A first level degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public relations and information, or media, including management, in large multicultural institutions is required. Knowledge of programme planning and related managemetn practices as well as familiarity with UN administrative procedures, rules and regulations, specifically human resources, budgetary and procurement matters is desirable. Prior experience in a UN peacekeeping or special political mission is desirable. Field experience with international organizations is desirable. Field working experience in managing institutional perception and combatting hate speech, fake news, misinformation, and disinformation is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in English (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

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. 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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.