Chief of Section, Public Information at United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Organisational Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 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. UNEP's Communication Division communicates UNEP's core messages to all stakeholders and partners, raising environmental awareness and enhancing the profile of UNEP worldwide. This post is located in Communication Division, at the Nairobi duty station. Under the guidance of the Director and the supervision of the Senior Public Information Officer (Deputy Director), the Chief of Content and Client Services is responsible for the effective and efficient performance of the following duties:

Responsibilities

• Planning, monitoring, and assessment: (a) Plan, monitor, and assess the section's work, including outsourced work, in the context of the division's project commitments to UNEP's Programme of Work and its Medium Term Strategy; (b) Management and oversight: Manage and oversee the section's work, including the procurement of goods and services, and its human and other resources, in accordance with the organisation's policies, procedures, rules, and regulations;
• Strategy and innovation: Provide overall strategic direction to the work of the section, with appropriate strategic framing for the requirements of the section's clients, underpinned by a sustained innovation strategy that delivers the mandate of the section at the cutting edge of associated industry practices, techniques, technologies, and approaches;
• Executive editor, publisher, and producer: Under the Director's delegated authority, fulfill the functions of executive editor, publisher, and producer, accountable for the cost and quality control of the organisation's relevant communication collaterals;
• Resource mobilization: Mobilize and manage resources for the section and for the division;
• Reporting and communication: Ensure timely and comprehensive reporting and documentation as per client, division, corporate, and donor requirements;
• Resource scheduling: Establish and maintain effective and efficient resource scheduling and workflow management systems and processes for the section;
• Content and traffic coordination: Coordinate the section's output, optimizing the systems and processes required to absorb client and project inputs and deliver client and project outputs, including sound relationship management.
• Perform any other related duties.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of policies and procedures for the creation and maintenance of communication collaterals that ensures a stable and effective systems environment; Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability; demonstrated ability to handle complex business process and information integration issues; extensive theoretical background and experience in communications and information management and technologies; 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.
• 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.
• JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a commendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.
• LEADERSHIP: Strong managerial and supervisory skills to lead and coordinate strategic programmatic and reform teams. Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvements; Does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands; Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; Demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in business or public administration, communication or organizational management, marketing, advertising, computer or information systems or related area is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in communication, media production, publishing, business administration or related field is required.
• Experience in editorial management for a top-tier media, publishing outlet or international organisation is desirable.
• Team management in a multi-cultural environment is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of any other language is an added advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.