Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General (OSRSG) for the Central Africa Republic and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The Public Information Officer will be based in Bangui and reports to the Spokesperson.

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the supervisor and within the limits of delegated authority, the Public Information Officer may be responsible for the following duties:

1- Prepares or coordinates the development of communications products and content across multiple platforms ensuring accurate and consistent messaging, branding, and alignment with the communications strategy

Prepares or coordinates the preparation of a diverse range of communication products in support of unit priorities and works closely with departments, funds and agencies to develop ways to implement campaigns system-wide and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products.
Drafts and edits material for press releases, key messages, Q&As, talking points, UN newsletters reports and books.
Writes human interest stories and produces digital content for the mission’s social media platforms.

2 – Implements communications strategies and activities

Responsible for participating in the development and implementation of a strategy for media relations, publications, web and digital media including social media, community outreach and/or radio products with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for the Mission’s work and support for UN Peacekeeping or Special Political mandate and priorities.
Prepares reports to Mission leadership, UNHQ on communications activities, developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN; and coordinates and shares public information activities and guidance with other sections of the Public Information Unit and leadership when appropriate.
Provides communication support to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of public affairs issues, methods, and approaches;
Analysis of media monitoring statistics, social media and web usage and adapts editorial and outreach priorities accordingly.

3 – Engages with media and strengthens partnerships

Prepares material for press briefings and interviews; drafts press statements and press releases as necessary; establishes and maintains a cooperative relationship with local and international journalists;
Sets up regular system of media guidance and monitoring and develops contact list of journalists and media outlets covering all media – print, TV, radio, social media, web, photo etc. – and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media.
Arranges interviews and/or background briefings with senior mission officials and facilitates the daily work of journalists covering the Mission.
Assists in responding in a timely fashion to disinformation that could impact negatively on the public perception of the Mission and/or the Mission’s leadership, etc.
Keeps abreast of changing developments, trends, and technologies with strong understanding of social media.

4 – Builds communication capacity and team management

Manages the day-to-day operation of the unit including participating in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the unit, interpreting and disseminating policy, providing procedural advice, improving reporting systems, handling operational and administrative queries, preparing budget submissions, establishing and/or coordinating training programmes and monitoring and evaluating results.
Provides clear directions that are translated from organizational strategy. Encourages others to pursue development opportunities and creates genuine learning opportunities for them.
In close coordination with the Chief, manages and supervises public information and consultants to achieve the outputs and quality assurance of all activities; establishing work plans, required resources, priorities, timelines and performance benchmarks. Monitors progress and takes timely action and/or decisions to ensure objectives are met.

5- Provides support to internal communications:
Produces reports, newsletters, and other materials of interest to internal audiences.
Ensures Mission internal communication is up to date and accurate.
Other related duties that may be assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Demonstrated capacity and willingness to learn and apply United Nations Secretariat rules and regulations in a field mission setting. 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

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 additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years with a master’s degree or seven years with a bachelor’s degree of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required.

Experience in development and implementation of targeted campaigns to address mis/disinformation, including institutional targeted mis/disinformation, and hate speech is required.

Experience in crafting and setting up effective plans to help improve organizations/public institutions’ perception and acceptance is required.

Experience in drafting and implementing reputation management policies within organizations/public institutions is desirable.

• Experience in designing and strategizing organizational/institutional’ communication tools and platforms to improve strategic communication performance is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available. 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.

• 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 and geographical diversity 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.