Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Sales and Marketing Section, Outreach Division, Department of Global Communications. The Sales and Marketing section (United Nations Publications) works to promote United Nations' knowledge, communication, and outreach objectives by publishing, selling, distributing, and licensing print and electronic publications, periodicals and databases that disseminate United Nations' knowledge, studies and data. It publishes titles aimed at a broad public, as well as provides electronic products and services for individual customers and institutions. The Section designs and implements the overall marketing strategy for United Nations Publications; promotes the United Nations brand; drives demand for UN publications; fosters strategic relationships with co-publishers, book and e-book sellers, and providers of technology services to the publishing industry; participates in industry conferences and exhibits at major book fairs worldwide. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Section. This position is temporarily available for one year effective 3 September 2025 through 2 September 2026 with possibility of extension.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief of the Sales and Marketing Section, the incumbent: • Plans, manages, reviews and evaluates print and digital production, distribution and fulfillment operations, publishing systems and customer service for United Nations publications. Ensures timely and efficient delivery of content to all platforms through optimized use of resources and carefully coordinated workflows; • Plays a key role in shaping digital publishing strategy, advising on development of new products and designing workflows, proposing new channels of distribution and formats. Oversees digital distribution of content through various online sales channels; • Provides guidance to and supervises the Unit's staff members, coordinating their work and allocating resources with a view to achieving efficient and effective results; • Implements print-on-demand plans for UN publications; • Prepares and maintains requirements, specifications and procedures for electronic publishing and e-commerce functions; • Drafts technical specifications and provides project management and oversight for maintenance and development of publishing systems; • Develops and implements recommendations to improve productivity, quality, and efficiency of operations; • Keeps abreast of current industry trends and technologies in publishing operations and technology, and maintains professional relationships with the publishing community; • Performs other duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the book publishing industry, especially electronic, in particular distribution and back office activities. Ability to oversee electronic product development, including content and requirements analysis and preparation of project definition . Knowledge of best practices in creating and maintaining book and e-book metadata. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to understand and draft technical related to publishing practices and standards. 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. Ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources. 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

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in administration, management 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.

Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in digital sales and marketing, print and electronic distribution of publications is required. Experience in digital product development of publications, including content and requirements analysis, and management of aggregated content platform, is required. Experience in managing digital sales and e-commerce platforms, which include publications, is required. Experience in publication metadata and information management is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of at least one other official UN 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 one year effective 3 September 2025 through 2 September 2026 with possibility of extension. 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. 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. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 September 2017, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belarus, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Viet Nam. 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.