Closing date:

Public Information Officer, P3

City/location:
Geneva
Organization:
United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

This job posting has closed

15-PUB-UNISDR-41845-R-GENEVA (O)  

United Nations Core Values:

IntegrityProfessionalismRespect for diversity

Org. Setting And Reporting

Created in December 1999, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) is the designated focal point in the United Nations system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities of the United Nations and regional organizations and activities in socio-economic and humanitarian fields. Led by the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, UNISDR has over 100 staff located in its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, and 5 regional offices and other field presences. Specifically, UNISDR coordinates international efforts in disaster risk reduction, and guides, monitors and reports on the progress of the implementation of the Hyogo Framework for Action; campaigns to create global awareness of disaster risk reduction benefits and empower people to reduce their vulnerability to hazards; advocates for greater investments in disaster risk reduction to protect people's lives and assets, and for increased and informed participation of men and women in reducing disaster risk; and informs and connects people by providing practical services and tools such as PreventionWeb, publications on good practices, and by leading the preparation of the Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction and the Organisation of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction. This position is located in the UNISDR Office in Geneva and the incumbent reports to the Head of Advocacy and Outreach Section.

Responsibilities

  • Ensures information platforms to promote and disseminate priority issues, data and/or major events, to include drafting information strategies, coordinating efforts among UNISDR's web platforms, 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 information platforms such as press seminars, conferences, interviews, web stories and other special activities of priority issues and/or major events, to include development of a online content strategy and action plan, initiating pro-active outreach efforts, proposing website coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with other Units and Offices in UNISDR 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 PreventionWeb features (e.g. web stories, editorial packages, articles, news extracts etc.), to include proposing topics, undertaking research, determining appropriate medium and target audience, preparing production plans, writing drafts, obtaining clearances, finalizing texts and editing copy.
  • Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles or other web content.
  • Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies and assists them in the development of common data exchange systems.
  • Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries and training UNISDR staff and information exchange partners in the use of the CMS and PreventionWeb.
  • Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies.
  • Provides guidance to, and may supervise, more junior staff.
  • Incumbent may be asked to perform other related duties as required. Work implies frequent interaction with the following:Senior Public Information Officers and other specialists, and managers throughout UNISDR and in other UN organizations and missions, Bureau Chiefs, editors, journalists for international news media, counterparts and mid-level officials in government, non-governmental organizations, businesses, academia and other areas of civil society.


  • Competencies

    Professionalism: Has knowledge and good understanding of approaches, tools and methodologies related to planning, executing and monitoring public communications campaigns, e.g. campaign management, market research, message targeting, impact evaluation, etc. - Is familiar with the latest techniques and developments in website creation and management. - Has knowledge and understanding of online content strategy, information architecture and user needs assessment. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. - Has understanding of the role of social/new media, and responds to feedback through these channels. - 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.

    Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals-Solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others-Places team agenda before personal agenda-Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position-Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

    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

    Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area. 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 five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. Background/familiarity with disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation and/or sustainable development is required. Experience in and strong understanding of information architecture, content organization and taxonomy concepts is also required.

    Languages

    Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

    Assessment Method

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

    United Nations Considerations

    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. The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.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-aGlance 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 valuation 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.

    No Fee

    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.

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