PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the team that manages the Civil Society Unit (CSU) in the NGO Relations, Advocacy and Special Events Section, Outreach Division, Department of Global Communications. CSU, through its associated civil society organizations and its outreach, collaborates with civil society community (including NGOs, private sector, and academia) to cast light on pressing global issues and raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals and other issues on the United Nations (UN) agenda. CSU facilitates the exchange of information and develops communication-related collaborations with civil society to enhance their interaction with and understanding of the work of the UN. CSU, through its Nongovernmental Liaison Service (NGLS), also facilitates participation of civil society in High-level UN meetings & events. This includes enhancing stakeholder participation opportunities, managing special-accreditation and registration processes, and coordinating speaking opportunities. NGLS works in close concert with offices in the UN Secretariat as well as with partners across the UN-System. The Public Information Officer will report to the Chief of the Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer is responsible for the following duties: • Develop and implement, in consultation with the Section Chief and Division Directors, a robust and innovative strategic plan for civil society engagement with the Department of Global Communications (DGC) with the goals of raising awareness of UN priority issues and initiatives and enhancing meaningful engagement in high-level UN processes, Summits, and Conferences, as well as with the larger UN-system. • Manage the day-to-day operation of the unit to include 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, hiring team members, preparation of reporting impact and work processes to relevant parties, including Member States, and monitoring and evaluating results. • Coordinate and direct a team of public information staff and/or mentor and supervise the work of junior officers on specific projects • Act as lead DGC liaison with civil society units across the UN-system and the Executive-Office of the Secretary-General, oversee DGC’s civil-society contributions to UN-system initiatives and provide substantive support to consultative and other meetings. • Take the lead in strategy, planning, development and implementation of large, complex communications campaigns (e.g. global promotion initiatives, public information programmes for a region, broad-reaching subject specific issues, etc.); where appropriate, work with departments, funds and agencies to develop ways to implement campaigns system-wide and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products. Build and implement a civil society influencer engagement strategy in support of UN campaigns and UN and Secretary-General messaging, includes identifying key influencers, creating outreach material and building processes for dissemination as well as monitoring impact of such outreach. • Lead in planning and producing calendars of key UN briefings, workshops, Townhalls, and UN conferences for civil society organizations, based on the Unit’s strategic plan and related to UN priorities and high-level processes, and oversee the drafting of programme scenarios and remarks for senior and high-level UN officials. • Build information networks; plan and oversee maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on the United Nations; plan and develop outreach activities. Oversee the plan for and management of digital content, including development of content for the Unit’s website and social media platforms as well as updating of website material. • Identify sources and seek funding and other assistance for major campaigns and other initiatives related to civil society engagement. • Provide advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on civil society related issues and on a range of public affairs issues, methods, and approaches; anticipate and resolve communications/public relations issues/problems. • Develop strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of promotional objectives; serve as a spokesperson/principal liaison to media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, etc. • Prepare or oversee preparation of a diverse range of information communications products in support of major campaign and initiatives. • Evaluate results and impact of communications activities; report on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN. • Represent the institution in meetings and conferences; fulfill speaking engagements and makes presentations to groups on UN activities and advocate issues of concern; organize media and social media coverage and arranges for media contacts, briefings, interviews; organizes seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization, with particular emphasis on issues related to civil society • Manage publications programme; produce materials for print/electronic/voice/visual media. • Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Perform other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Extensive experience working with a wide and global network of civil society organizations (including NGOs, private sector and academia) and knowledge and understanding of concepts and approaches relevant to working with such stakeholders. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Knowledge of the full range of approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing programmes and events, e.g. conferences and Summits, communication campaigns, marketing and promotion, audience and influencer outreach, and message targeting. Knowledge of the most recent approaches to and strategies for monitoring impact. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues. Ability to produce a variety of high-level communications products and written documents, e.g. proposals, concept notes, remarks, communication decks, and outcome documents, in an appropriate and clear, concise style. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. 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. Vision: Identifies strategic issues, opportunities and risks; clearly communicates links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities.

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 an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Extensive experience working with and creating strategy for civil society stakeholders on a global level is required. Experience securing influencers with a global profile in the civil society community for advocacy purposes is required. Experience creating and implementing influencer outreach strategy is required. Experience generating communications impact reports and insights for international organizations is required. Experience managing staff in a diverse environment is required. Experience working with donors, such as Foundations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Fluency in French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview(s).

Special Notice

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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 Nov 2023, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.

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.