Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Hindi Unit, News and Media Division (NMD) of the Department of Public Information (DPI). The News Section produces daily news and feature stories, magazines programmes, special series and creates audio content using live and recorded audio from meetings and events, and multimedia pieces for the UN News digital platform, incorporating audio and video elements, as well as social media content. Through these products UN News provide daily and weekly content in eight (8) languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Russian, Kiswahili, and Portuguese). The Incumbent reports to the Chief of the News Section 1.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Public Information Officer may be responsible for the following duties: 

• Monitors and analyzes current events, public opinion and press, identifies issues and trends, and advises management on appropriate action/responses. 
• Carries out and undertakes activities to promote media coverage (e.g. major conferences, events, campaigns, interviews, press seminars and other special activities) of priority issues and/or major events, to include development of a media strategy and action plan, initiating pro-active media outreach efforts, proposing and arranging press conferences/media coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage. 
• Produces or oversees production of a specific type or types (e.g. print, broadcast, etc.) of information communications products (news stories, multimedia feature materials on UN activities system wide for posting on the UN News websites in relevant language, covering the global activities of the United Nations, in keeping with editorial guidelines; conducts interviews, gathering audio and video material, undertaking digital editing and programming, podcasts and feature stories; ensures timely and accurate coverage of key United Nations developments at Headquarters and around the world, including through regular weekend duty shifts and evenings as needed; prepares content for sharing across news platforms, and that it is social media friendly for social media dissemination and helps implement strategies to build audiences across diverse demographics) to include proposing topics, undertaking research, determining appropriate medium and target audience, writing drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, editing copy, and posting on UN News websites and related social media websites for distribution. 
• Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles for inclusion in UN News websites. 
• Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies. 
• Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc. 
• Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies. 
• Keeps abreast of latest developments in multimedia production, technological innovations and marketing techniques in the online, radio broadcast and social media industries and ensures the successful application to the productions in the relevant language unit. 
• Provides guidance to and supervise other staff in the unit.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Extensive knowledge of digital journalism; political awareness and judgment, and knowledge of international current affairs; ability to work under pressure and meet multiple daily deadlines. Knowledge of digital editing technology and of multimedia platforms. Ability to write crisply and concisely, making use of sound and words, and to produce audio and video products for news platforms. 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 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. 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 & 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public relations or related field. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public relations or related area is required. Journalistic experience in a news environment with a wire service, online news or broadcast news outlet is required. Experience writing news and feature stories to multiple daily deadlines, conceptualizing and producing multimedia feature materials is required. Experience in the technical aspects of multimedia production, such as creating audio clips and broadcast programmes, creating short news video pieces, is desirable. Experience managing social media platforms is desirable. Experience in identifying appropriate visual content (graphics, photos and videos) related to UN News, or the news services of a comparable international organization, coverage is desirable. Experience in compiling analytics is desirable. Supervisory experience in a satellite office is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and Hindi is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified applicants may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

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.

The position is available as soon as possible for a period of twelve months with the possibility of extension.

The appointment or assignment and renewal thereof are subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to 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.

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.