Programme Officer, Partnerships

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the secretariat of the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC). The International Civil Service Commission, an independent body established by the United Nations General Assembly resolution 3042 (XXVII) of 19 December 1972, is tasked with the regulation and coordination of conditions of service of the United Nations common system. Under the overall supervision of the Executive Secretary, the Programme Management/Communication Officer maintains close contact with stakeholders and partners and as appropriate, develops policies and communications strategies in the areas under his/her responsibility that contribute to the work of the International Civil Service Commission and facilitate understanding by the Member States and the common system organizations and the staff of these organizations.




Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: • Leads the strategy, planning, development and implementation of large, transformative and complex communications campaigns (e.g. comprehensive review of the compensation package and other initiatives with high visibility), public information programmes, broad-reaching subject-specific issues, etc.); where appropriate, partners with other departments and organizations that are part of the United Nations common system to develop and implement campaigns system-wide and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and outcomes of the Commission; • Prepares/revises a diverse range of information communications products related to the work of the International Civil Service Commission (including newsletters, periodicals, reports and books, speeches or remarks, op-ed articles, video messages, talking points, press statements and questionnaires), coordinating with the Divisions as needed, in support of major campaign initiatives led or supported by the Commission; guides the development of the ICSC website and the introduction of modern platforms to better serve constituents of the Commission; • Provides advice and expertise to the Chair, Vice-Chair, Executive Secretary, other staff of the International Civil Service Commission on a range of public affairs issues, methods, and approaches and prepares relevant briefing materials; • Anticipates and guides management in resolving communications/public relations issues/problems by preparing, identifying, researching, analyzing, gathering and organizing information. • Reviews reports and existing publications and proposes ways to enhance cohesion and impact, including through data visualization methods or proposing revisions to organization of content. • Makes presentations at meetings and other fora on assigned topics/activities and develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of promotional objectives; serves as a spokesperson/principal liaison to media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, etc. to raise the visibility of the assigned topics/activities in a demonstrable and effective manner. • Participates in duty station missions, drafting mission summaries; • Advises external consultants and common system organizations on projects under his/her responsibility, proposing follow-up actions; • Develops strategies to incorporate research-driven market insights by collecting and analyzing relevant data; evaluates impact and facilitates decision-making on any improvements needed by explaining trends and attitudes towards the Commission’s activities. • Performs other duties as required.




Competencies

Professionalism: • Knowledge and understanding of global strategic communications, theories, concepts and approaches relevant to particular sector, functional area or another specialized field. • Ability to monitor and identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems from a communications and visibility perspective. • Ability to conduct data collection using various polling and survey 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. • Ability to observe deadlines and achieve results; • Persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; • Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communications both traditional and digital. • Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. • Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. 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 the 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; • Allocates appropriate amount of time for completing work; • Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; • Uses time efficiently. 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; • 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, Programme Management, Human Resources Management, Journalism, International relations, Public Administration, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.




Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.




Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience in Strategic Communications, Programme Management, Human Resources Management, Journalism, International relations or Public Administration is required Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in project management, data analytics, business analytics, communications or journalisms is desirable Prior experience working on large-scale global events, or in the United Nations System or other similar international organization is desirable A minimum of two years of experience establishing and maintaining relationships with counterparts in United Nations entities or other international organizations is desirable




Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of one or more official United Nations language is desirable.




Assessment

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




Special Notice

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. Staff members appointed to the current position are required to submit a financial disclosure statement upon assignment or appointment and annually thereafter.




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.