Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Strategic Communications Section (SCS) serving the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and Peace Operations (DPO). The Strategic Communications Section is part of the Office of the Director for Coordination and Shared Services (ODCSS), which enables, directs and coordinates departmental efforts to ensure the effective integration and management of both Departments. The position is under the general supervision of the Chief of Section. The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) serves as a center of excellence for peace operations, responsible for preventing, responding to and managing conflict and sustaining peace in countries where peace operations under its purview are deployed, and provides support to other entities on peace and security issues. The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) focuses primarily on five action areas in international peace and security, ensuring sound analysis and early warning, preventing conflict and engaging in peacemaking, managing political crises and violent conflicts, sustaining peace, and enhancing partnerships. The Department's mandate is to prevent and resolve conflict through inclusive political solutions.

Responsibilities

Under the supervision of the Chief of Section (SCS), the incumbent will be responsible for the following: • Drafts and implements communications strategies to publicize priority issues and/or major events, to include coordinating efforts, producing content, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analyzing the outcome. • Monitors and analyzes current events, public opinion and press, identifies issues and trends, and advises management on appropriate action/responses. • Undertakes activities to promote media coverage (e.g. press conferences, interviews, press seminars and other special activities) of priority issues and/or major events, to include development of a media strategy and action plan, initiating proactive media outreach efforts, proposing and arranging press conferences/media coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage. • Produces or oversees production of strategic communications products (e.g. press kits, press releases, feature articles, speeches, booklets, brochures, backgrounders, audio-visual materials, radio spot program, etc.), to include proposing topics, undertaking research, determining appropriate medium and target audience, preparing production plans, writing drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, editing copy, and coordinating design approval, printing procedures and distribution. • Prepares, on the basis of official UN tion and other sources, initial drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in newsletters, reports and books. • Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies. • Acts as focal point on internal communications, including as Secretariat of the DPO-DPPA Strategic Communications Focal Points Working Group, as well as for the collection, editing and posting of iSeek materials, and for the coordination of communications issues with other Departments/Offices, including the Department of Global Communications. Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies. • Provides guidance to, and may supervise, more junior staff.

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. Ability to rapidly analyze 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. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas 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 & 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

An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required. A first-level degree in combination with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification
Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required. Experience in conducting media outreach and public messaging efforts for internal and external audiences is required. Experience in drafting messaging and creating digital content in French is required. Experience managing high profile social media accounts in multiple languages for an international organization, as well as liaising with leadership on strategic communications is required. Two years of experience working in UN peacekeeping contexts, including in the field, and providing support to field missions from Headquarters is required. Experience in producing digital content such as news stories, social media messages, live and recorded audio-video and multimedia products for social media platforms is required. Experience providing communications guidance and training is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).