Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Content Services Unit, Meetings Support Section, Meetings and Publishing Division, of the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management. The Content Services Unit provides publishing services and plays an active role in producing United Nations documentation and publications in multiple and accessible ways through print and digital publishing methods. Its team consists of production editors, desktop publishers, graphic designers and printers. The incumbent reports to the Team Lead of the Desktop Publishing Team.

Responsibilities

Within limits of delegated authority, the Desktop Publishing Assistant will be responsible for the following duties: • Produces design elements for documents and publications intended for multi-channel publishing, including visual identity, graphics and templates, ensuring that the final version conforms to UN style and typographic standards. • Using appropriate desktop publishing software, (a) formats and finalizes verbatim records, and (b) designs, lays out (text, tables, graphics and images), formats and finalizes publications. • Checks files out and into the publishing system database. • Ensures that all design elements have been incorporated accurately and alerts responsible verbatim reporter/verbatim reviser or proofreader/production editor whenever errors or discrepancies are found. • Provides training, guidance and support to temporary and junior staff in the processing of basic and more complex documents. • Depending on the needs of the service, availability for overtime is expected. • Performs other related work as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter including advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel and Power Point), desktop publishing and graphic design software (Adobe Creative Cloud, i.e. InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat); knowledge of editorial and desktop publishing best practices; ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously; knowledge of standard industry production, printing and digital publishing processes and procedures; ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given; 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; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work. • 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. • Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent required. Specialized technical studies in graphic design with a diploma or certificate are desirable.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the field of desktop publishing and/or graphic design is required. Advanced knowledge of Adobe InDesign is required. Experience with publication practices within the United Nations system or similar international organisation is desirable. Experience in multichannel publishing and/or content or workflow management tools is desirable. Experience in proofreading 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 another UN language is an asset.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. Applicants for positions subject to local recruitment are required to be authorized to work in the country regardless of where they live at the time of applying for the job opening. Selected candidates/staff members will be responsible for any costs related to their travel and relocation in the context of onboarding to report for duty. Passing the Verbal Reasoning Test (VRT) in the main language of the position is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration for the Editorial and Desktop Publishing Assistant positions in the United Nations Headquarters. Applicants who have not passed the VRT at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. 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.

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.