Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located in the Office of the Director-General/Executive Director (ODG/OED) of the United Nations Office at Vienna/United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOV/UNODC) in Vienna, Austria. The incumbent will work under the overall guidance of the Chief of ODG/OED and Strategy Advisor to the Executive Director and the direct supervision of the Speechwriter and Communications Officer in ODG/OED.

For more information on UNOV and UNODC, please visit www.unov.org and www.unodc.org.

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Communications Officer (Speechwriting) will provide support, within the assigned programme area, to the Speechwriter and Communications Officer in developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating assigned programme/projects as well as in writing and preparing written material for delivery by the Director-General/Executive Director, and managing communications, both external and internal, between the Director-General/Executive Director and a wide range of audiences, including media. The incumbent will work in close coordination with the other functional areas at ODG/OED.

The incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties:

– Participate in the development and implementation of assigned programme/projects in the area of communication activities. Identify problems and issues to be addressed and propose corrective actions. Identify and track follow-up actions with respective offices.

– Research, analyze and present information gathered from diverse sources; seek input and information from substantive staff, review relevant material, project documents and reports with a view to drafting speeches, statements and talking points for the DG/ED while ensuring policy coherence and accuracy.

– Assist with and participate in coordinating communications, media and social media for the Director-General/Executive Director (DG/ED)’s meetings and missions.

– Attend meetings and liaise with relevant parties, seeking input and information from substantive staff, programme/project counterparts as needed, to support internal communications as well as identify and track follow-up actions.

– Identify and arrange suitable encounters between the Director-General/Executive Director and the media and assist him/her in these encounters. Work closely with programme/project support counterparts, the Advocacy Section (AS) of UNODC and the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) on public information and advocacy activities as required, including to maintain a database of relevant media contacts in Austria and internationally.

– Write articles and opinion pieces on behalf of the Director-General/Executive Director for high-profile media in order to maximize the impact of UNODC/UNOV activities by identifying and developing newsworthy ideas/topics and identifying possible high-profile media for placement.

– Monitor and analyze daily media for stories and opportunities related to UNOV/UNODC activities and mandates and the media profile of the DG/ED.

– Fulfil speaking engagements and make presentations to a variety of audiences on UNODC/UNOV activities.

– Write press releases, web content and generate content for social media, including Twitter and Facebook. Write prefaces and forewords for UNODC publications. Prepare and review correspondence as required.

– 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 work-related duties as may be required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Has knowledge and understanding of the functions of UNOV and mandates of UNODC. Has ability to apply various United Nations administrative rules and regulations in work situations. Has conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis. Has knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools and methodologies. Is able to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources and convey this information accurately in written products and minutes. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Has ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments and multitasking, observing deadlines and achieving results in coordination with others; 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.

• 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 business administration, management, social sciences, political science, journalism, communications or other related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience at the international level in programme management, policy support, journalism, communication, public information or related fields is required.

Work experience in writing speeches for senior or high-level officials within strict deadlines, is required.

Work experience in the development and implementation of communication projects, plans is desirable.

Work experience in communicating with the media is desirable.

Work experience in a relevant field in the United Nations system or similar international organization is desirable.

Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of either French or Spanish is desirable. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency based interview.

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available until 31 December 2023. If the selected candidate is a staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

• 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.

• 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.

• Vienna is classified in the H category (family duty station).

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.

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.