STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC INFORMATION ASSISTANT

Result of Service .

Work Location Nairobi

Expected duration The duration of this position will be six (6) months (with a possibility of an extension for a total period of 9 months).

Duties and Responsibilities Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is a locally recruited Individual Contractor in the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region (OSESG-GL) based in Nairobi.

The incumbent works under the direct supervision of the Public Information Officer within OSESG-GL and under the overall guidance of the Chief of Staff and the Special Envoy.

Mandate of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for the Great Lakes region

On 24 February 2013, 11 nations signed the Peace, Security and Cooperation (PSC) Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the region, in a renewed drive to end the recurring cycles of devastating conflict in eastern DRC, which impacts stability and development in the Great Lakes area of Africa. Two more nations signed it a year later. The Framework aims to help "address the root causes of conflict and put an end to recurring cycles of violence" in eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region. In its Resolution 2098 (2013), the Security Council welcomed the signing of the PSC Framework. It called on the Special Envoy, in coordination with the Special Representative for the DRC, to "lead, coordinate and assess the implementation of national and regional commitments under the PSC Framework, including through the establishment of benchmarks and appropriate follow-up measures".

The Security Council further encouraged the Special Envoy to "lead a comprehensive political process that includes all relevant stakeholders to address the underlying root causes of the conflict".

Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Public Information Officer, the Individual Contractor (IC) will:

• Produce and upload content to the Office web site and related social media platforms.
• Serve as photographic assistant by producing digital imaging and serving as back-up photographer; write captions for UN photos; archive photos for OSESG-GL and make a selection for UN/HQ and external interest groups through Flickr.
• Ensure that materials posted on the public web site such as photos, graphics, videos, and audio elements are appropriate and in conformity with UN standards and guidelines.
• Draft compelling social media content – in English with knowledge of French – for the Office social media platforms and extend engagement to social/digital media platforms of key partners, including the United Nations Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (UNDPPA), the African Union (AU), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and other UN presences in the Great Lakes region.
• Analyze statistics of social media accounts and webpages to assess usefulness and relevance of materials posted; and prepare charts and graphs when required to identify trends in web traffic and social media interactions.
• Actively and regularly provide content to the social media platforms, ensuring that such content is in line with the mandate of the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region.
• Ensure the correctness of entries to the social media platforms.
• Develop or programme new web-based applications for the Office as and when required.
• Ensure availability and appropriate packaging of products for distribution at special events, exhibits, conferences, media functions, etc.
• Assist in researching relevant current news and preparing a daily media monitoring for the Office using various sources of information with a focus on areas of interest to the Special Envoy’s mandate.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Public Information Officer.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

The work of the IC includes liaising with key partners in the Great Lakes region to organize joint major activities. These partners include, but are not limited to: - ICGLR. - United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). - AU. - UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes, and specialized UN offices in the region. - Media professionals.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge of the full range of communications approaches and tools, strong social media skills and ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Has demonstrated subject matter expertise and judgment. Is able to work with a high degree of autonomy in line with established procedures in a politically sensitive environment. Shows personal initiative and accountability. Has ability to handle information objectively, accurately, and confidentially. 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; tailor 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.

Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

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 offenses may not be considered for employment.

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.

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.

Qualifications/special skills Academic Qualifications: A graduate university degree in Communication, Public information, Journalism, media with a focus on political science, international relations, public administration, or related field is required. Training in Information Technology (IT)/Computer Science and knowledge of contemporary web-based communication platforms and tools is highly desirable. Experience: A minimum of five years’ experience in public information, journalism, international relations, digital media, or related area is required.

Experience in producing a variety of digital communications products in a clear, visual style that meets contemporary user expectations is required.

Experience in managing social media and web sites is required.

Experience in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe InDesign, as well as Drupal, is required.

Knowledge of the political context in the Great Lakes Region is desirable.

Experience in data management and using Excel or other tools to collate and present data effectively is desirable. Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this IC position, fluency in English (both oral and written) and working knowledge of French are required.

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.