public information assistant

Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the NGO Relations and Advocacy Section in the Outreach Division, Department of Global Communications. The position is available as soon as possible, for five months, with a possibility of an extension.

The objective of the Outreach Division is to enhance understanding of the role, work and concerns of the United Nations and to encourage the exchange of ideas, information and knowledge in support of the goals of the Organization.

The NGO Relations and Advocacy section advocates for UN priority issues and raises awareness on the role of the UN among the general public and key constituencies through relations with civil society, including non-governmental organizations, and through relations with the "creative community" including television and film, through the celebrity advocate Messenger of Peace Programme, and the management of major special events held on UN premises.

The Public Information Assistant reports to the Head of the Civil Society Unit within the NGO Relations and Advocacy Section.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Head of the Civil Society Unit within the NGO Relations and Advocacy Section, the incumbent will be responsible for the following functions:

• Participates in the planning and coordination of major events; liaises with relevant departments/agencies; drafts and edits reports, production schedules, press releases and related texts, and correspondence related to the planning and execution of events.
• Identifies and prepares new material for inclusion in appropriate web pages and NGO database by: researching various information sources for relevant material and cross-checking information with author offices as required; preparing new pages, incorporating graphics as needed; posting documents on the UN web and/or development servers and ensuring the appropriate directory location; checking and testing for multiple browser support, etc.
• Manages, updates and further develops internal databases; updates website, to include drafting and editing content; assists in design, development and maintenance of Internet applications; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases.
• Serves as social media focal point by assisting with developing, implementing and coordinating the Unit's social media strategy, drafting and posting messages, and helping produce digital assets.
• Assist in implementing a civil society influencer engagement strategy in support of UN campaigns and UN and Secretary-General messaging, includes identifying key influencers, creating outreach material and building processes for dissemination as well as monitoring impact of such outreach.
• Monitors and reports on the performance of digital platforms including social media channels, website, and NGO database and other computer-based systems with respect to proper digital file management; review entries, file storage, retention and deletion practices to ensure consistent application of basic guidelines; identifies problems/issues and liaises with appropriate personnel for their resolution.
• Assist with the coordination of administrative services, including preparing, monitoring and processing various requisitions, coordinating special assignments and partnership agreements, etc. ¬Provides specialized assistance to officers in the production and delivery of information communications products and services related to civil society, including NGOs.
• Coordinates media coverage of important events; liaises with UN news and social media teams, UN photographers, etc, to provide advance notice of, and information on, upcoming meetings, briefings and special events and to ascertain coverage requirements; coordinates technical arrangements and organizes and allocates space for visiting news, photo, TV and film personnel; evaluates and processes applications for UN security clearances/accreditations.
• Using relevant computer software, creates designs in appropriate format for promotional and other material, e.g. brochures, presentational materials, announcements, social media cards, etc.; ensures that photos, graphics, etc. are appropriate and conform to UN standards for print materials.
• Ensures availability and appropriate packaging of products for distribution at special events, exhibits, conferences, media functions, etc.
• Provides general office support; responds to complex information requests and inquiries; processes, drafts and finalizes correspondence and other communications; sets up and maintains files/records, organizes meetings, monitors deadlines, etc. in the NGO Resource Centre.
• Provides guidance/training to junior staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism:
Knowledge of policies, processes and procedures related to communication, production and dissemination of public information. Ability to research information from a variety of sources.

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.

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.

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

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

Five years of experience in public communication, international broadcasting or related areas is required. Experience working with content management systems (e.g., Drupal, Mailchimp) is required. Experience with social media in an organizational setting is required. Direct experience working with civil society organizations is desirable. Knowledge of graphic design applications is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for five months with the possibility of an extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. 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.

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.

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