Posting Title: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER (News and Media), Duration 6 months, P4 (Temporary Job Opening)
Job Code Title: PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
Department/Office: United Nations Environment Programme
Duty Station: NAIROBI
Posting Period: 09 January 2019 – 22 January 2019
Job Opening Number: 19-Public Information-UNEP-109394-J-Nairobi (X)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organizational 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 of UN Environment worldwide.
This post is located in the Communication Division at the Nairobi duty station. Under the general guidance of the Director and under the supervision of the Chief of Section, Digital Strategy, the Public Information Officer (News and Media) will perform the following duties
Responsibilities
- Lead the work of UN Environment’s Newsdesk as the main hub for news activities and press relations and contribute to the delivery of UN Environment’s Programme of Work (POW); Develop, supervise the preparation of information and communications products such as press releases, media alerts, products supporting major corporate activities; Manage UN Environment News Centre as the online tool for dissemination of media and news content pertaining to the environment and sustainable development; Keeps abreast with emerging and trending news and media stories to seize opportunities for positioning UN Environment as the thought-leader on environmental related issues.
- Supervise performance and mentor Newsdesk staff; Oversee the hiring of world class press and information officers; Supervise the day-to-day operations, including the coordination of substantive and administrative activities, providing procedural advice, and implementing activities supporting the organization through the PoW; Work with regional and out-posted information officers to ensure a successful implementation of UN Environment-wide media communications; Supervise and clear the production and distribution of press materials and activities across divisions, regional offices and Multilateral Environmental Agreement (MEA) secretariats under the administration of UN Environment; Develop and disseminate media-relation policy, provide procedural advice, organize and conduct media relation training programmes; and monitor and evaluate results and impact of news operations.
- Anticipate and resolve communications/public relations issues/problems; Develop strategic partnerships with key traditional and hybrid media outlets and constituencies to elicit support for and maximize the impact of identified communication activities; Create and maintain networks of high level international communications contacts across traditional and hybrid media, governmental agencies, international institutions and other groups and organizations in civil society; Represent the organization in important news and media related meetings, conferences and events, fulfilling speaking engagements and advocating issues of concern; Report on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the work of UN Environment; Oversee media training of senior UN Environment officials and provide clearance for interviews and media appearances; Provide news and media training for UN Environment staff and coordinate public engagement of UN Environment officials with responsible officers; Conduct regular meetings and communication training for Regional Information Officers (RIOs), and organize annual RIO retreats; Perform any other relevant duties assigned.
Competencies
- Professionalism: Knowledge of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to effective media communication and engagement; ability to develop and implement a media strategic vision and business plan for the direction of the UN Environment and environment in the news; understanding of global and regional political trends, public attitudes and varied media platforms; establish effective collaboration and partnerships with officials at all levels inside and outside the organization; 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.
- 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.
- Communication: Speaks and writes clearly, 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 march the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Education
Advanced University Degree(Master’s degree or equivalent) in media studies, communication, marketing or other related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with the two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible work experience in media and strategic communications is required. Experience in managing multiple processes and projects in a complex environment and high profile media coverage (preferably in the United Nations and/or a development agency) is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working knowledge of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment which will be followed by a competency-based interview.
Special Notice
- This position is temporarily available for six (6) months. 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.
- This temporary job opening may be limited to ‘internal candidates,’ who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
- 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.
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.
More Information
- Job City Nairobi, Kenya
