Chief Of Communications at UN-Habitat

The position is located in the External Relations and Partnerships Branch which is a component of the Division of External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation (ERSKI). The External Relations and Partnerships Branch is charged with promoting strategic alliances to support achievement of the goals of adequate shelter for all, and sustainable urbanization and human settlements development. Communications and Media is one of the vehicles used to assists in advancing UN-Habitat’s image and relationships with its partners and the public at large, to build and strengthen partnerships, facilitate policy impact and developmental change, and increase delivery of programmes.

Under the direct supervision of the Director, of External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation (ERSKI), the incumbent will be responsible for the following:

Responsibilities

• MEDIA RELATIONS
  • Develop strategies to strengthen existing ties with media organizations and news outlets in keeping the media informed of UN-Habitat’s activities globally, regionally and nationally.
  • Oversee the content and strategy of UN-Habitat’s social media presence.
  • In coordination with the Head of Advocacy and Campaigns, the incumbent will oversee digital media campaigns to enhance public outreach and engagement activities using a range of digital media platforms and leveraging emerging technologies and trends.
  • Develop and oversee the development of diverse materials (Briefings, speeches, media analysis, media guidance, talking points) for use by senior officials.
• EVENTS
  • Give direction during key events in providing communication services for events such as the UN-Habitat Assembly, the World Urban Forum ( WUF) and conferences.
  • Ensure that communications services for UN-Habitat branches and regional offices are active, timely and are implemented in accordance with expected standards of the UN system and UN-Habitat;
  • Lead UN-Habitat’s communications strategies and plans in key high-level global events
• RESOURCE MOBILIZATION
  • Mobilize and manage resources for the Communications and Media Section
  • In consultation with the Director the External Relations Branch and the Director of the ERSKI Division, establish and maintain effective and efficient resource scheduling and workflow management systems and processes for the section
• PRODUCTION AND BRANDING
  • Provide overall strategic direction to the work of the section by providing appropriate strategic framing for the requirements of the section’s client. Strategic direction should be underpinned by an innovative strategy that delivers the mandate of the section at the cutting edge of associated industry practices, techniques, technologies and approaches
  • Fulfill the functions of executive editor, publisher and producer accountable for the cost and quality control of the organization’s relevant communication products
  • Ensure successful public communication which maintains and enhances the image of UN- Habitat
  • Integrate and align communication elements in UN-Habitat’s campaigns to strengthen media coverage and reporting
• POLICY DIRECTION FOR PROGRAMME COMMUNICATIONS
  • Develop and lead implementation of UN-Habitat’s communications policies, including crisis, outreach, advocacy, and political and social affairs
  • Monitor quality, consistency and adherence of UN-Habitat corporate standards in disseminating information shared in the public domain and with key stakeholders
  • Give guidance and required support to UN-Habitat branches (HQ level) and regional offices in developing programme or project communication strategies and communication activities
  • Provide technical and policy advice on highly complex public affairs and communications issues to all divisions and offices
  • Lead and direct on communication activities aimed at enhancing advocacy and outreach efforts by communicating programme results, on-going projects and messages through media interviews, press releases, open-editorial articles, websites stories and informative videos among others
  • Assess the overall effectiveness of the communications strategy and public information programmes and adapt approaches and techniques as needed
  • Take the lead within ERSKI in coordinating communication matters with UN-Habitat’s Regional and Liaison offices
• INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
  • Develop, disseminate and encourage best internal communication practices amongst UN- Habitat staff through identification and promotion of innovative communications technologies; work with UN-Habitat’s substantive offices to conceive and oversee the preparation, of UN-Habitat’s corporate website, research on publications, UN-Habitat newsletters, periodicals, reports, strategic papers, and books; provide guidance to all UN- Habitat communications officers
  • Oversee and, where necessary, manage and contribute to the development of diverse materials (briefings, speeches, questions and answers) for use by senior officials, ensuring that they contribute to core communications and advocacy strategies; oversee development of high profile multi-media communications and advocacy campaigns; set quality and production standards for information dissemination.
  • Conceptualize a hub for new ways of working as the information resource to the agency to support senior management and strategic communications with an inclusive and all-of- organization approach.
• CAPACITY BUILDING AND SUPPORT
  • Manage and supervise UN-Habitat’s corporate communications staff; plan and allocate work assignments; coach, mentor, and evaluate staff; participate in recruitment and selection of new staff, and in the development of training programs.
  • Identify opportunities for development among the communications and outreach team to build capacity to correspond to the constant change in communication methods
  • Take the lead in efforts to regularly build media capacity to enable quality reporting on Sustainable Urban Development
• NETWORKING AND PARTNERSHIPS
  • Lead on communication support to strengthen member states engagement
  • Engage with UN Headquarters communication entities and other UN agencies to maintain regular interaction with updates on UN-Habitat’s key activities
  • Create and maintain networks and partnership with national and international broadcast media, the press, governmental agencies including national; government press offices, international institutions and other key media networks
• OPERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT
  • Manage a budgetary framework for effective implementation of UN-Habitat’s communications strategy.
  • Supervise and manage projects under the corporate communications portfolio by verifying compliance with established rules and guidelines for all actions well as congruence with UN policies
  • Take the lead in monitoring and evaluation of communication and outreach activities to continuously improve the effectiveness of communication strategy, approach and activities
  • Take responsibility for corporate communications reporting including periodic reports and such other internal reporting on its activities as may be required within UN-Habitat or by auditors and others for monitoring purposes
  • In consultation with the ERSKI Director, approve financial authorizations for accounts under corporate communications
  • Perform other related duties as requested by senior management of the organization

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 two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required.
• Five of the ten years of experience at the international level involving political judgment and successful management of public information communications is highly desirable.
• Experience in raising funds under strenuous situations is desirable.
• Experience with international organizations in a similar job group is an added advantage.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in written and oral English is required. A good working knowledge of any other UN official languages is desirable.

Deadline 18 August 2020

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

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.