Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Strategic Planning and Outreach Unit at ECLAC Subregional Office of ECLAC in Port of Spain. The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the five regional Commissions of the United Nations. It was founded in 1948 with the purpose of contributing to the region’s economic and social development. Its mission includes the design, monitoring and evaluation of public policies and the provision of advisory services, expertise and training to Governments, as well as support for regional and international cooperation and coordination activities. Please visit our website at www.eclac.org for further information.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Public Information Assistant may be responsible for the following duties: • Contributes to the development and production of communications products/services with minimal supervision. • Collaborates substantively on publication activities designed to promote knowledge and understanding of and to build support for UN system and activities, to include delivery of discrete components of the unit’s work programme in mass media (e.g. newspapers, TV, radio, internet, etc.), and social media. • Contributes to the development and implementation of social media management, content generation and campaigns • Develops and maintains relationships with media and other officials (e.g. NGOs, local community and government leaders, educational institutions, other UN agencies, etc.). • Serves as a first-line focal point and/or media liaison to facilitate the flow of information and messages on all aspects of UN activities, policies and operations institution-wide in assigned area(s) and on matters relating to the Secretary-General to key internal and external audiences. • Maintains constant contact with key offices (e.g. Secretary-General, Under-Secretaries-General, Executive Secretary, Security Council, Permanent Missions, etc.); reviews relevant documents, reports, press releases, etc. to gather information and keeps abreast of the timing and substance of key meetings, events, speeches, activities, etc.; maintains files on key subjects before the UN and on the activities of the Secretary-General. • Prepares briefs on assigned topics for senior officers; responds, both orally and in writing, to a broad range of routine questions and information requests on UN activities from the press, constituents and other parties; as appropriate forwards questions/requests to relevant parties for reply; drafts letters and official memoranda on a range of subjects. • Researches, compiles and presents information from a variety of sources; including reviewing current events worldwide and identifying items of interest to the Secretary-General or senior UN officials. • Serves as Secretary of the Exhibits Committee; organizes and coordinates all aspects of events relating to exhibits. • Informs the international news media and other key constituents of significant developments, events, press conferences, etc.; ensures the availability of copies of press releases and other key documents and information products; assists key officials, delegates and other UN offices in arranging press conferences, briefings, etc.; handles logistics with essential services. • Coordinates and oversees the entire audio/visual marketing campaign under the supervision of the Promotion and Marketing Manager. • Serves as photo lab supervisor by establishing and maintaining an efficient production of photographic images in both digital and print formats. • Contributes to the management of audio visual and other archives. • Coordinates TV programming for UNTV channel; assesses suitability of material to be transmitted; prepares quarterly programming plans; coordinates playlist, reruns, etc. in conjunction UN calendar of events/observances and current issues before the UN; oversees associated administrative and production activities (e.g. electronic new gathering operation; radio and satellite bookings, management operations, analysis of statistical reports, billing and account reconciliation, etc.). • Coordinates the use of the UNTV facilities; assign facilities for various events/operations and prepare production schedules; recommends set-ups for news coverage and other production events; organizes requisite services and equipment based on technical requirements; liaises with essential services to resolve issues/problems; serves as back-up UNTV camera director. • Provides substantive support to the production of film/video or radio programmes/podcasts by conducting original research for feature items and other material; making recommendations on programme content, structure/style, interviews, narration texts and elements to be edited, etc.; assisting in the writing of narrations, short articles, summary excerpts, etc., conducting interviews, acting as location producer, participating in post production editing, overseeing the production of language translations/adaptations and ensuring cost effectiveness, etc. • Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Guides and/or supervises less experienced staff. • Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of current events and issues in the various areas of the Department. Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures related to the communication, production and dissemination of public information. Ability to interact with the media and other constituents. The ability to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

At least ten years of experience in public communication, international broadcasting or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to eight (8) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Relevant experience in writing and in social media management is required. Experience in scripting, editing and production for audio visual content is required. . Experience in research and journalistic techniques such as interviewing and information-gathering are desirable. 1 year or more of experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. Experience writing and editing in Spanish is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat and Spanish is a working language of ECLAC. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of Spanish is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

– 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. – Appointment for positions in the General Service category is done on a local basis. Applicants shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office, irrespective of nationality and length of time the candidate may have been in the country. Applicants will be responsible for any expenses incurred in taking the relevant examinations at the duty station, and of any costs related to traveling and relocating to the duty station in the event of an employment offer. -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. – A staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. – The expression “Internal candidates”, shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15. Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. – Although there is no right or entitlement to Flexible Working Arrangements, many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways. The following types of flexibility are usually possible: staggered working hours, compressed work week, scheduled breaks for learning activities and telecommuting (maximum 80.5 Km from the duty station). Please wait until the final stage of the offer to ask more about flexibility since the agreement is voluntary between the staff members and their supervisor and will depend on the organisational needs. -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. – The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.

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.