Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division
(OAD), in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
(OCHA). OCHA is part of the United Nations Secretariat, which is
responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a
coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework
within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts.
OCHA's mission is to mobilize and
coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership
with national and international actors in order to alleviate human
suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in
need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable
solutions.
This position-specific job opening is being advertised for the position of Public Information Officer/ Communications Team Leader and is based in the Regional Office for Southern and Eastern Africa (ROSEA), Nairobi, Kenya. Under overall supervision of the Head of Office (HoO) ROSEA, the incumbent reports to the ROSEA Head of the Communications and Information Management Unit (CIMU).
This position will require regular travel on surge within and potentially outside the region. Candidates are expected to be available and willing to surge for up to three (3) months at a time.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer / Communications Team Leader will be responsible for the following duties:
• Undertakes travel for humanitarian surge in Southern and Eastern
Africa—and beyond—as requested, including to support humanitarian
communications (including public information, media relations, social
media and key messages) and reporting on humanitarian crises.
• Manages, provides guidance to, and supervises, the Communications Team
within OCHA ROSEA, including supervising more junior staff, under the
leadership of the Head of the Communications and Information Management
Unit.
• Prepares high-quality reporting and analysis, by establishing and
maintaining reporting system within the region; drafting and
distribution of regular products on the humanitarian situation in the
region; ensuring flow of information and analysis of developments in the
region, including tracking trends and sharing reports with HQ, and key
partners.
• Ensures implementation of public information activities to publicize
priority issues and/or major events, to include drafting information
strategies, 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 and approaches for media relations; coordinates with
key regional stakeholders on advocacy initiatives to ensure coherent
media strategy and common messaging.
• Produces or oversees production of a specific type or types (e.g.
print, broadcast, social media etc.) of information communications
products (e.g. press kits, press releases, feature articles, key
messages, brochures, backgrounders, audio-visual materials, social media
content, etc.), to include proposing topics, undertaking research,
determining appropriate medium and target audience, preparing production
plans, writing drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts,
editing copy following corporate editorial style guide, reviewing data
and ensuring consistency of the information provided, designing the
final public products (including working on the layout, proposing visual
material, etc. following corporate visual guidance) and coordinating
design approval, printing procedures and distribution.
• Undertakes activities to promote media coverage (e.g. press
conferences, press releases, interviews, background briefings and other
special activities), including film and photo coverage, of priority
issues and/or major events, including World Humanitarian Day, 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. Contributes content to and maintains appropriate and timely
web and social media outreach.
• Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources,
initial drafts of content for inclusion in global OCHA products (e.g.
Global Humanitarian Overview, Annual Report etc), periodicals, reports
and books and ensures coherence between regional-level communications
initiatives and OCHA Communications Strategy.
• Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key
constituencies, including establishing and maintaining a network of
regional humanitarian communications focal points.
• Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on
developments, responding to inquiries, etc; supports efforts to
highlight the value-added role of OCHA to Member States as well as the
media and the public, in support of fundraising and visibility of OCHA.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style and utilizes creativity to improve products. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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 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.
Education
An 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 (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required.
Experience with crisis communications and social media is required.
Experience in graphic design, and photo or video editing software is required.
At least two (2) years in the past five (5) years of international field experience (actual setting where a mission or project is being implemented) in aid operations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable.
Field experience in the Region (Eastern and/or Southern Africa) is desirable.
Experience in a regional communications role 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 French and/or Arabic is desirable. Knowledge of Portuguese and/or Swahili is desirable.
Assessment
The evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This position is funded for a finite period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-general and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
External candidates (including OCHA temporary appointees and OCHA national field staff) who are selected for a position in field duty stations may be strategically placed on a fixed term appointment limited to a specific position or to a specific country office in accordance to the paragraph 2.2 (b) of administrative instruction ST/AI/2013/1 on the administration of fixed-term appointment which provides that an FTA may be granted to individuals who are "(b) Selected but not reviewed by a Secretariat review body for appointments limited to specific entities".
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.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.