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.

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.

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.

Source: https://careers.un.org/jobSearchDescription/238125?language=en