Communications Officer at United Nations Environment Programme

This post is located in the Ozone Secretariat, at the Nairobi duty station. Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Executive Secretary, the incumbent will be responsible for the following functions:

Responsibilities

• Ensures implementation of information programs to publicize priority issues and/or major events, to include drafting information strategies, coordinating efforts, 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 of priority issues and/or major events, to include development of a media action plan, initiating pro-active media outreach efforts, disseminating materials to the press, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage.
• Oversees production of information communications products including proposing topics, determining appropriate medium and target audience, writing drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, editing copy, and coordinating design approval, printing procedures and distribution.
• Prepares, on the basis of official United Nations documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in United Nations newsletters, periodicals, reports and books.
• Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies.
• Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, side events and exhibitions during the meetings organized by the Secretariat and other relevant meetings and events.
• Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies.
• Ensures the ongoing development, maintenance and appropriate updating of the substantive content of the Secretariat Website, in collaboration with the Programme Officer – Data and Information Systems, regularly reviewing the design and set-up of the website, ensuring that access to it is user-friendly, with appropriate hyperlinks to related activities within and outside the United Nations system.
• Performs any other related duties as may be requested by the supervisor.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be "Clients" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
• CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services. Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs. Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas. Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box." Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things. Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required.
• Experience in drafting public information materials (e.g. news articles, opinion pieces, feature stories, press releases, etc.) is required.
• Experience in media is required.
• Experience working with digital communication tools and web-based media is desirable.
• Working experience in the United Nations common system or similar organization is desirable.
• Work experience in an international organization and at the intergovernmental level 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 another United Nations language is an added advantage.

NOTE: "fluency equals a rating of "fluent" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and "knowledge of" equals a rating of "confident" in two of the four areas.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is open for recruitment for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension. 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.

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.

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.

Internal Applicants – when completing the PHP, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you.

Individual contractors and consultants who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered.

On-line applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "need Help" link.