Posting Title: Public Information
Officer
Organization: United Nations Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN OHCHR)
Duty Station: Geneva, Switzerland
Posting Period: 26 October 2022 -
09 December 2022
Job Opening Number: 22-Public
Information-OHCHR-193266-R-Geneva (X)
Staffing Exercise: N/A
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism,
Respect for Diversity
Org. Setting and Reporting
This position is located in the Communications and Public
Mobilization Section in the Editorial Unit, External Outreach Service,
Executive Direction and Management, Office of the High Commissioner for Human
Rights (OHCHR), Geneva. The incumbent reports to the Head of the Editorial
Unit.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer
will be responsible for the following duties:
• Ensures implementation of major communications initiatives and campaigns, to
include drafting information strategies, managing events, producing public
information and promotional materials, 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 priority issues and/or major events, to
include development of a communications strategy and action plan, initiating
pro-active communications outreach efforts, proposing and arranging events and
traditional/social/community or lifestyle media coverage, disseminating materials
and consulting with audiences 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 a specific type or types (e.g. print,
broadcast, digital, etc.) of information communications products (e.g. key
messages, feature articles, speeches, booklets, brochures, backgrounders,
audio-visual materials, texts for digital platforms, including the website,
etc.), to include proposing topics, undertaking research, determining
appropriate medium and target audience, preparing production plans, writing
drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, editing copy, ensuring
OHCHR’s brand is applied to products, preparing the tendering process and
follow-up with external providers during the production procedures and coordinating
distribution.
• Initiates and sustains professional partnerships with key constituencies to
maximize impact of promotional objectives.
• Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on
developments, responding to inquiries, fulfills speaking engagements, etc.
• Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies.
• Provides guidance to and may supervise interns and/or consultants.
• Performs other related duties as required by the Chief of the Communications Section.
Competencies
• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the full range of
communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and
executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. campaign
management, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach,
message targeting. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information
from varied sources. Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities
and risks in an international environment. Ability to diplomatically handle
sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive
relationships. Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business
activities/issues. 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.
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.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent)
in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or
related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two
additional years of qualifying work 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.
Out of the five years, a minimum of three years of experience in one of the
above mentioned areas, in international organizations is desirable.
Experience in writing journalistic pieces/articles on international affairs, in
English, is desirable.
Experience related to human rights is desirable.
Languages
Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN
Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge
of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an
advantage.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment
exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the
mandate and/or availability of funds.
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and
employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of
efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.
All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and
organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and
inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and
employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race,
religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable
accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support
participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the
application.
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.
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.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m.
(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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