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United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Human Settlements Programme, UN-Habitat, is the agency for human settlements. It is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. Based in over 90 countries, UN-Habitat strives for adequate shelter with better living standards for all. It works with organizations at every level, including all spheres of government, civil society and the private sector to define the urban vision of tomorrow.

The position is in the External Relations Division. The External Relations Division promotes strategic alliances to support and promote UN-Habitat’s image and work. The External Relations Division drives the development of relationships with its partners and the public. Within this division, the Communications Branch communicates UN-Habitat's core messages to all stakeholders and partners, raising awareness about sustainable urbanization and enhancing the profile of UN-Habitat worldwide.

This position is in the Communications Branch at UN-Habitat’s Headquarters in Nairobi. Under the general guidance of the Director of the External Relations Division, and under the supervision of the Chief of Communications, the Public Information Officer is responsible for the effective and efficient performance of the following duties:

Responsibilities

1.Press and Media activities: carry out media outreach functions and promote media coverage, e.g. press conferences and briefings, organizing interviews, addressing information requests, monitoring and reporting on impact of the coverage and undertaking follow up action etc. Update and maintain UN-Habitat’s Press Kit.

2.Develop and maintain networks with journalists, media practitioners and key partner constituencies around the world as a tool for advocating UN-Habitat's fundamental messages and work. Provide support in UN-Habitat's activities and urban issues in press releases, backgrounders, Questions & Answers briefings etc.

3.Support in organizing press coverage around seminars, lectures, conferences and public events on major issues and events concerning UN-Habitat.

4.Monitor and evaluate results and impact of news operations.

5.Content creation: Develop, plan and implement multi-media strategies aimed at communicating, advocating and promoting the impact of UN-Habitat’s work. Develop and supervise the preparation of information and communications products such as news stories, press releases, media alerts, e-Newsletters, and products supporting major corporate activities. Supervise and clear the production and distribution of press materials and activities across divisions and regional offices.

Manage promotion and news for major UN-Habitat events, including, but not limited to, the World Urban Forum, World Habitat Day and World Cities Day. Manage the promotion and launch of major publications such as the World Cities Report. Work on multi-media outputs and support UN-Habitat’s social and digital media output; ensure photo and audiovisual coverage of key events and projects.

6.Editorial strategy and policy guidelines: Implement a cutting edge editorial strategy for the organization. Contribute to the formulation and implementation of corporate editorial polices, objectives and guidelines that follow UN style guidelines. Contribute to capacity building within UN-Habitat by providing advice on improving quality and style of major written outputs and communication materials to ensure effective internal and external communication. Develop and manage editorial workflow to effectively and efficiently manage the content and deadlines. Support the drafting and editing of reports, speeches, OpEds, statements and book forewords.

7.Liaison: Act as the communication focal point for liaising with UN-Habitat branches and regional offices and their communication focal points, other UN agencies and UN Headquarters, partner constituencies including global, regional, national and local governments, the private sector, regional organizations and civil societies on all matters pertaining to communications.

8.Supervisory role for selected staff and support to strategic development and review of UN Headquarters, regional and other campaigns.

9.Perform any other relevant duties assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of theories, concepts and approaches relevant to effective media communication and engagement; ability to develop and implement a media strategic vision and action plan for UN-Habitat’s media outreach; understanding of the role and mandate of UN-Habitat; understanding of global and regional political trends, public attitudes and varied media platforms; establish effective collaboration and partnerships with officials at all levels inside and outside the organization; 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.

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.

Communication: Speaks and writes clearly, 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 march the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

Education

Advanced University Degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, international relations, development or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with the 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 work experience in media and strategic communications is required. Experience in managing multiple processes and projects in a complex environment and high-profile media coverage (preferably in the United Nations and/or a development agency) is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working knowledge of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another UN language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

• This position is temporarily available for Eleven (11) months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.

• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.

• Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.

• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.

• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.

• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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.

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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