Org. Setting and Reporting

This temporary position is located in the Office of the Under-Secretary-General, Department for General Assembly and Conference Management (DGACM), New York. The incumbent reports to the Chief of Office of the Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Public Information and Multilingualism Coordinator will be responsible for the following: • Serves as the main resource officer in support of the role of the Under-Secretary-General for General Assembly and Conference Management as UN Coordinator of Multilingualism (see Terms of Reference in annex II of Secretary-General’s report A/71/757, available at http://www.undocs.org/a/71/757); • Provides analytical and statistical support as well as policy advice to the senior management of the Department on the development, management and implementation of United Nations multilingualism policies, procedures and practices, as well as the related public information and outreach activities aimed at facilitating replenishment of the Organization’s pool of language professionals qualified to provide mandated interpretation, translation and other language services in support of the multilingual intergovernmental processes. In so doing, work in close coordination with the language services in New York, Geneva, Vienna and Nairobi, as well as conference services of the United Nations Regional Commissions and the United Nations System organizations, the Department of Global Communications, and multilingualism focal points in all Secretariat entities, including in the field; • Maintains and updates a database of focal points across the global Secretariat; • Organizes and chairs regular meetings of the Secretariat-wide network of multilingualism focal points; • Coordinates and compiles inputs for the reports of the Secretary-General on multilingualism, in response to General Assembly resolutions; • Prepares materials for the Under-Secretary-General for raising the matters related to multilingualism and language parity in senior management meetings, including at the Head of Department level, as a core value of the Organization and a principle to be adhered to in the planning and implementation of programmes; • Provides inputs and support for the Secretary-General’s meetings with Member States representatives; • Coordinates initiatives and new approaches across the Secretariat that support multilingualism; • Supports inter-departmental cooperation to enhance multilingualism; • Prepares for the Under-Secretary-General materials for participating in events and fora organized by United Nations system entities, Member States, or intergovernmental entities, such as the International Organisation of La Francophonie and the Group of Friends of Spanish at the United Nations that celebrate or promote multilingualism, culture and diversity, and engages with Member States representatives proactively seeking their views and feedback; • Coordinates and provides substantive input in the preparation of various papers and reports for presentation to intergovernmental bodies, including drafting the Secretary-General’s report on multilingualism and finalizing the United Nations Strategic Policy Framework on Multilingualism; • In the area of outreach, ensures that the succession planning targets of the language services are monitored through collaboration with the network of universities that had concluded with the United Nations memorandums of understanding on cooperation in training language professionals and other similar agreements, through internships and traineeships, as well as professional associations and other organizations that promote multilingualism; • In the area of public information, ensure effective dissemination of information on United Nations Competitive Examinations for Language Positions (CELP) and Global Language Roster (GLR) examinations among the Department’s partners; • Promotes the visibility of careers in United Nations conference services, in particular language-related careers; attract highly competent and qualified candidates to work for the Department, especially its language services; • Raises awareness of the work of the Department, and of the United Nations in general, utilizing web-based tools and social media as well as data analytics and data visualization tools, as appropriate; • Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other staff on a range of public information and outreach issues, methods, and approaches; anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems; • Prepares or oversees preparation of a diverse range of information communications products in support of the objectives of the Department in the areas of multilingualism and outreach; • Drafts complex material for newsletters and reports and edits drafts prepared by other officers; • Evaluates results and impact of communications activities in the above-mentioned areas; • Represents the institution in meetings and conferences; undertakes speaking engagements and makes presentations to groups including groups of Member States; • Organizes seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization; organizes speaker events, produces and/or contributes to materials for print/electronic/voice/visual media; • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff in the Department and in the Organization involved in the multilingualism, public information, and outreach activities, across organizational boundaries; • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the substantive field of work in general and of specific areas being supported. Ability to produce reports and papers on language policy issues and to review and edit the work of others. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style, in English and in French. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences, in English and in French. 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) public information, communication, humanities, international relations, law, journalism, linguistics or a related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, communications, language disciplines, international relations or related field is required.

Experience in the intergovernmental machinery of international organizations is desirable.

Experience in conference management is desirable.

Languages

Fluency in both working languages of the UN Secretariat, English and French (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for 364 days starting from 11 September 2023.

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from 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.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• 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.

• Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

• 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.

• 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.

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.