Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Strategic Communication and Public Information Division (SCPID) of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO). The Senior Public Information Officer will be based in Kinshasa and reports to the Director of SCPID. Kinshasa is classified at “C” hardship level and is a family duty station.

Responsibilities

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Senior Public Information Officer, will act as Chief of UN Radio (Radio Okapi) and will be responsible for the following duties:

• Under the supervision of the director of Strategic Communication and Public Information Division, conceptualizes, designs and executes the Mission’s integrated communication strategy, including its evaluation and regular updating, covering the Mission’s internal and external strategic communications activities.

• Coordinates Radio Okapi’s transition to a new sustainable model in preparation for MONUSCO’s departure from the DRC, including mobilizing funds and partnerships with a range of international, national and local partners including community radio stations.

• Develops new programmes, editorial offerings and innovations to ensure Radio Okapi stays ahead of evolving media transformations and audience needs, including developing an engaging digital web site.

• Provide the managerial guidance on all editorial and contents matters as they relate to Radio Okapi FM, Radio Okapi digital platforms and Radio Okapi children (Okapi Enfant).

• As delegated by SCPID director, oversees and directly manages all substantive and operational aspects of all units based in Kinshasa and in the regions and ensure they have the required assistance and guidance: Specifically support Kinshasa sections (outreach, Content Productions, Radio Okapi, and Spokesperson office).

• Formulates and updates, in consultation with Director of SCPID, the substantive work programme of the public information component of the Mission, coordinates with various Mission components, and with UN agencies, funds and programmes and partners, as appropriate.

• Ensures regular, timely and professional communications, on all traditional and digital media platforms. Provides pertinent communications advice and input for Mission interactions with all key stakeholders, such as non- governmental and civil society organizations.

• As SCPID Senior Public Information Officer, assist SCPID Director on managerial tasks and leads the front office. Plan all meetings particularly Monthly meeting with SCPID staff and weekly meetings with chief of sections.

• Oversees public information outputs to ensure that they meet high-quality standards, in accordance with UN policy objectives and rules and regulations and are evaluated for their effectiveness.

• Ensure that Radio Okapi covers press briefings, background briefings and interviews to national and international media; drafts and/or edits and issues press releases, official statements and communication materials on behalf of the mission as necessary.

• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; participates in hiring process from approving terms of reference to selection of appropriate experts or consultants.

• Other related duties that may be assigned.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to advise on high profile and sensitive communication challenges. Ability to assess world-wide communication environments, develop communication strategies and manage implementation of public information campaigns with various promotional and publicity techniques. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to present and defend difficult positions to senior officials. 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.

• Planning and 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.

• Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

• Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, management and public administration or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years with a master’s degree or twelve years with a bachelor’s degree of progressively responsible experience in public information, external communications, journalism, international relations, management and public administration or related area is required.

Experience in radio management, partnerships building and fundraising is required.

Experience in managing multidisciplinary teams at the UN or comparable international organization is desirable.

Knowledge of programme planning and related management practices as well as familiarity with UN administrative procedures, rules and regulations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in oral and written french is required. Knowledge of English is required.

Assessment

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

Special Notice

This “Recruit from Roster” job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

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.

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.

Staff members of the United Nations Secretariat must fulfil the lateral move requirements to be eligible to apply for this vacancy. Staff members are requested to indicate all qualifying lateral moves in their Personal History Profile (PHP) and cover letter.

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.