Public Information Officer, P-3

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Department of Global Communications (DGC) within the Outreach Division’s Education Outreach Section. The incumbent will report to the Chief of the Education Outreach Section and the Manager of the United Nations Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery. The Education Outreach Section takes the lead in strategy, planning, development and implementation of global education initiatives on key issues, goals and objectives of the United Nations, including through its Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery, the International Day of Peace and Model UN programmes. Where appropriate, the Education Outreach Section works with departments, funds and agencies to develop ways to implement educational activities system-wide and to incorporate the key messages and themes into all relevant events and products. The selected candidate will be expected to start on 1 January 2025.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Ensures implementation of information programmes to publicize priority issues and/or major events related to the work of the United Nations Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery, to include drafting information strategies and concept notes for educational activities, coordinating efforts, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analyzing the outcome.
• Monitors and analyzes current events, public opinion and press, identifies issues and trends, and advises management on appropriate action/responses.
• Undertakes activities to promote media coverage (e.g. press conferences, interviews, press seminars and other special activities) of priority issues and/or major events, to include development of a media strategy and action plan, initiating pro-active media outreach efforts, proposing and arranging press conferences/media coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage.
• Produces or oversees production of information communications products (e.g. press releases, feature articles and web stories, speeches, booklets, brochures, backgrounders, audio-visual materials, presentation decks, social media and digital assets, study guides, exhibits, etc.), to include proposing topics, undertaking research, identifying and liaising with partners, determining appropriate medium and target audience, preparing production plans, writing drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, editing copy, and coordinating design approval, printing procedures and distribution.
• Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books.
• Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies.
• Acts as focal point on the United Nations Outreach Programme on the Transatlantic Slave Trade and Slavery, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc.
• Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies.
• Provides guidance to, and may supervise, more junior staff.
• Collects and analyzes 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.
• Provides support to and liaises with UN field offices on their educational activities around the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, including review of seed money requests and tracking of expenditures.
• Undertakes other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. campaign management, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities and risks in an international environment. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues. 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required. Experience working on issues related to the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and/or anti-racism is required. Experience organizing educational events; producing educational materials; developing exhibits or similar educational activities is required. Experience with social media and audience engagement strategies is required. Experience tracking expenditures and preparing financial reports is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on globalvacancies.org