Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. UN Environment’s Communication Division communicates UN Environment’s core messages to all stakeholders and partners, raising environmental awareness and enhancing the profile ofUN Environment worldwide. This post is located in the Communication Division at the Manama duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director for the West Asia Office and under the technical supervision of Communication Division, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Public Information Officer may be responsible for the following duties:
1) Collaborate with Communication Division to formulate innovative, creative, effective and measurable ways to present UN Environment’s scientific and other environmental development and management information to target audiences including the media.
2) Oversee the development and dissemination, throughout the region, of evidence-based environmental information, and raise public awareness in the region on critical, as well as emerging, environmental issues: – Ensuring the customization and “translation” of scientific and other environmental information from UN Environment so it can be understood and assimilated by stakeholders in the region, whose actions affect the state of the environment, taking into account their different needs, priorities and languages. – Ensuring the strategic dissemination of such environmental information, using regional and national networks and other tools such as events, environmental education and training to increase regional awareness on relevant issues.
3) Collaborate with Communication Division to design regional programmes to increase the capacity of all stakeholders to better access, disseminate and use environmental information for policy and planning processes, including through customized outreach tools and networks.
4) Working across divisions and closely with UN Environment Sub-programme Coordinators and Regional Coordinators for the UN Environment sub-programmes, provide strategic information and advice for, and actively participate in, developing UN Environment’s outreach and information strategies for the different sub-programmes in the region, including the identification of target audiences and strategies for reaching them.
5) Work with the West Asia Office Regional Director to promote deeper collaboration between UN Environment and governments, other UN organizations, scientific and academic institutions and major groups and stakeholders in the region. In particular, develop and maintain networks in the region to partner with UN Environment on, among other things, the generation, use and dissemination of environmental data and information on public platforms and to increase access to information for different types of stakeholders, particularly in the context of environmental decision-making processes.
6) Work with the West Asia Office Regional Director to actively engage the major and specialized media of the region and interest them in reporting on the work of UN Environment and its partners. Produce briefs/texts and quotes to be issued in the name of the UN Environment Executive Direction, the Regional Director and/or other UN Environment Directors, as requested.
7) As appropriate, and in consultation with the Regional Director, act as spokesperson for UN Environment in the region.
8) Perform other related duties, as required.

Competencies

– PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. campaign management, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities and risks in an international environment. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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. 
– 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.
– TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; Understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; Shows willingness to learn new technology.

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

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communication, media relations, formulation and dissemination of public information, journalism, international relations, or
directly related field is required. Prior experience within the context of environment is desirable. Experience with international level organizations is an asset. Experience with another UN entity is an asset.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in oral and written Arabic is
desirable; 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

Appointment against this position is for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. 

Staff members are subject to the authority of 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. 

The United Nations as a Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. 

If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira “Need Help?” link.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 April 2018, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belarus, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cyprus, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

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.