Public Information Officer at the United Nations (UN)

The United Nations is the one international organization with the reach and vision capable of solving global problems. The United Nations Foundation links the UN’s work with others around the world, mobilizing the energy and expertise of business and non-governmental organizations to help the UN tackle issues including climate change, global health, peace and security, women’s empowerment, poverty eradication, energy access, and U.S.-UN relations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Public Information Officer, P3

Job Opening Number: 20-Public Information-OCHA-140966-J- (X)
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Grade: P3
Job type: Temporary

Org. Setting and Reporting

• This position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which is part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies.
• OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.
• This temporary job opening is being advertised for the position of Public Information Officer and is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Nigeria, Maiduguri. The Public Information Officer reports to the Head of Communication.

Responsibilities

• Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
• Support Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) public communications including the development of country-level messaging under the guidance of the Head of Unit
• Coordinate common communications actions and campaigns with participation of UN agencies, NGOs and other partners in country/region and co-chair a humanitarian communications group
• Contribute to the development and implementation of joint communications strategies in coordination with RC/HC, DHC, HCT and key stakeholders around priority advocacy issues
• Support a fluid flow of information and shared analysis of developments in the country/region, including tracking trends and sharing reports with HQ, and key partners.
• Organize or support joint media field trips, press events, interviews and other outreach initiatives
• Work with partners on advocacy initiatives to ensure coherence of coverage

Media relations:

• Communications Officers promote media coverage at local, regional and global levels
• Support the Public Information Head of Unit to ensure coherent media strategy and coordinate with RC/HC, HCT and key stakeholders to foster common messaging
• Monitors and analyzes current events, public opinion and press, identifies issues and trends, and support the Head of Unit in advising the RC/HC, the DHC and OCHA Head of Office on media developments and approaches for media relations
• Support the Public Information Head of Unit in representing OCHA and the RC/HC or DHC and in providing on-the-record information to journalists and media
• Organize press conferences and moderate if needed
• Write public statements, press releases and op-eds
• Produce and disseminate media materials such as press kits, Q&As, background briefings
• Organize strategic media coverage of key issues and events, including support for high-level missions
• Establish and maintain an extensive media communications network
• Assess media presence within country/region,
• Develop and cultivate media relationships
• Keep updated contact lists
• Conduct regular media monitoring

Content production:

• The Public Information Officer develops and disseminates quality communications material to broaden public awareness of priority humanitarian issues and response and the role of OCHA
• Produce or commission text-based materials including feature articles, blogs, opinion pieces and explainers
• Produce or commission quality visual content including photos, photo galleries (with captions), infographics, social-media graphics and films
• Manage local-language translations of key communications materials
• Work closely with OCHA information officers (reporting, information management) to leverage available information for public communications
• Under the guidance of the Head of Unit, support other units in editing, proofreading, producing and disseminating carious OCHA products and information
• Liaises with sector leads and focal points and produce regular situation reports published online and monthly situation updates
• Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books.

Digital media:

• The Public Information Officer supports the development and maintenance of OCHA web platforms and social media initiatives
• Open/maintain relevant social media accounts at country level
• Plan and coordinate engaging social content, including awareness raising campaigns
• Identify new opportunities and innovative ways to continually engage supporters and/or improve perception of aid workers
• Monitor social media initiatives by other UN agencies, non-profit organizations at country level, Governments and other stakeholders, and look for opportunities to collaborate, including with opinion influencers
• Liaise and work with graphic designers as needed to produce visuals and infographics for use in social media campaigns
• Produce written, photo and audio-visual stories and other content and publish on relevant platforms

Corporate communications:

• The Public Information Officer supports internal and HQ-led communications activities
• Conduct daily reporting and develop humanitarian updates whenever necessary
• Ensure coherence between country-level communications initiatives and OCHA Communications Strategy
• Propose story ideas, undertake research and source material for OCHA corporate communications
• Support and coordinate communications around high-level field missions
• Support HQ communication, advocacy and media relations activities
• Provide content for OCHA corporate web platforms and other products
• Promote and implement OCHA corporate campaigns and initiatives such as the World Humanitarian Day (19 August) at field level with local partners, media, creative community and humanitarian stakeholders
• Promote the visibility of the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund and support advocacy, resource mobilization and donor visibility efforts.
• Support corporate fundraising and marketing
• Contribute to drafting, editing and providing inputs for donor reporting and resource mobilization efforts
• Support efforts to highlight the value-added role of OCHA to Member States as well as the media and the public, in support of fundraising and brand awareness and visibility of OCHA

Communications capacity:

• The Public Information Officer ensures communications activities support the overall humanitarian response
• Provide training opportunities for international and national staff on media relations and other relevant skills
• Train humanitarian counterparts on relevant issues (e.g., role of the ERC, clusters, humanitarian principles)
• Support disaster preparedness by supporting efforts to mainstream crisis communications into contingency planning
• Recruit and manage junior communications officers as required and collaborate with field focal points from other units and other organizations

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in Communication, Journalism, International Relations, Public Administration or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required.
• Humanitarian experience in the field in an actual setting where a mission or project is being implemented in emergency situations, complex emergency or natural disaster is required.
• Experience with crisis communications is required.
• Experience in the UN Common System or other international organization is desirable.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. 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 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.

Languages:

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Assessment

• Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by 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. 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.
• The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
• 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.

Application Closing Date
16th September, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Special Notice:

• The appointment/assignment is for 364 days, with the possibility of extension, subject to availability of funds and mandate extension. The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.
• 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 issuances governing staff appointments can be viewed at: http://www.un.org/hr_handbook/English.
• 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.
• 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 Inspira account holder homepage.
• Applications are pre-screened by the system according to the published requirements of the job opening on the basis of the information provided in the application. In relation to the requirements of the job opening, applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their qualifications, including their education, work experience, and language skills. Each applicant must bear in mind that submission of incomplete or inaccurate applications may render that applicant ineligible for consideration for the job opening. Initial screening and evaluation of applications will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted. Applications cannot be amended following submission. 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.
• Candidates found suitable and not selected for the announced duty station, may be selected for deployment to other duty stations. The selection will be for similar functions with similar requirements at the same level.
• Please note that due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19 and the travel restrictions imposed by national authorities, selected candidates may be required to start the assignment/appointment remotely, in agreement with the hiring manager, and until further notice.