Posting Title: National Information Officer (Temporary), NOB (Temporary Job Opening)
Job Code Title: ASSOCIATE PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
Department/ Office: Department of Public Information
Duty Station: NAIROBI
Posting Period: 13 February 2017-28 February 2017
Job Opening number: 17-PUB-DPI-73989-J-NAIROBI (R)
Staffing Exercise ID: N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Special Notice
This is a temporary job opening, open to internal and external candidates. Duration of need: six (6) months, with a possibility of extension. Estimated start date: as soon as possible. This job opening is open to Kenyan nationals only. Appointment against this post is on a LOCAL basis, with NO entitlement to travel or any other international benefits. Should there be a need for examination; the candidate will be responsible for any travel expenses incurred. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to section 5.7 below and staff rule 4.16 (b) (ii).
Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further ‘stressed that the Secretary-General should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by the General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013…’
Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources Management where no other suitable candidate could be identified. Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months following the separation.
This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat. 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. An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing condition of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1.
A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment, and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service. This provision does not apply to staff members holding temporary appointments and placed on positions authorized for one year or more in duty stations authorized for peacekeeping operations or special political missions. The expression ‘Internal candidates’, shall mean staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15.Please note that candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position.
The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. For information on special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17. For more details on the administration of temporary appointments please refer to ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1.The Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and administrative issuance governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English
Organizational Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Nairobi, within the Information Centres Service (ICS), Strategic Communications Division (SCD), Department of Public Information (DPI).
The UNIC Nairobi is part of the global network of United Nations information centres, which are the principal source of information about the United Nations system in Kenya, Uganda, and the Seychelles. UNICs are responsible for promoting public understanding and support for the aims and activities of the United Nations by disseminating UN information materials to a local audience in English and Kiswahili; engaging local and regional partners; and, overall, bringing the United Nations closer to the people it serves.
The incumbent is under the direct supervision of the Deputy Director and the overall supervision of the Director of UNIC Nairobi.
This temporary position is available effective immediately for a period of six months, with the possibility of extension.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties:
- Takes a leading role on communications issues within the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) by convening and/or serving as the secretariat for the United Nations Communications Group at the country level in consultation with the directors of UNIC Nairobi and the SCD at UN Headquarters.
- Develops and implements a communications strategy for Kenya, Uganda, and the Seychelles by adapting the global UN message for local audiences, in consultation with the UNCT and/or United Nations partners. To this aim, the incumbent will produce/oversee the production of print information materials in English and Kiswahili for a local audience; propose topics, undertakes research, determine the appropriate medium and target audience, prepare production plans, write drafts, obtain necessary clearances and finalize texts, edit, copy, and coordinate design approval, printing procedures and distribution. He or she will also ensure the implementation of a communications strategy on the local and regional levels to publicize United Nations priority issues and/or major events, to include coordination efforts with partners, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analysing the outcome.
- Monitors and analyses current events, public opinion and press coverage, identifying issues and trends, and advises the DPI at Headquarters and the UNCT on appropriate action/responses.
- Conducts media outreach, including development of media strategies and action plans, initiating pro-active media outreach efforts; maintains contacts with national and regional media in Kenya, Uganda, and the Seychelles, disseminates information materials to the media, places op-eds and arranges interviews, organizes press conferences and briefings, monitors press coverage of UN issues; consults with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertakes appropriate follow-up action and analyses and reports on the impact of coverage.
- Maintains contacts with key civil society partners at the national and regional level, including UN associations, and undertakes joint projects with them; initiates and sustains proactive professional relationships with key constituencies in Kenya, Uganda, and the Seychelles. Conducts educational outreach, including the organization of regional Model UN conferences.
- Maintains web sites and social media accounts in English and Kiswahili. Monitors programme output of the UNIC Nairobi and reports to the ICS on a monthly, quarterly, annual and ad hoc basis.
- Performs other functions and special duties, as required by the Director of the UNIC Nairobi or the ICS, including undertaking speaking engagements and participating in seminars.
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, especially in Kenya, Uganda, and the Seychelles. Ability to rapidly analyse 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. Knowledge of tools and infrastructure used to support communication and public information initiatives, including traditional and social media equipment and systems, e.g. content management systems, mainstream social media platforms, multimedia editing/production equipment, etc. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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.
Education
A first-level university degree (Bachelor of Arts or equivalent) in communications, journalism, public information or a related field is required.
Work Experience
A minimum of three years of progressively responsible experience, including experience in managing contacts and networking with the media, non-governmental organizations, government officials, international and national organizations, business groups, civil society, etc. in Kenya, Uganda, and/or the Seychelles is required. Experience in public information and/or public relations and/or experience as part of a strategic communications team and proven skills in public speaking are required. Experience working with both traditional and social media platforms is required.Experience in journalism is desirable. Experience working with the United Nations or a comparable international organization in Kenya, Uganda, and/or the Seychelles is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and Kiswahili is required. Knowledge of other official United Nations languages is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview.
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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
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 At-a-Glance on ‘The Application Process’ and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on ‘Manuals’ hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.
More Information
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