United Nations recruits a Public Information Officer

The United Nations in Senegal hiring Public Information Officer.

Duty Station: Dakar, Senegal

Posting Period: 26 February 202010 April 2020

This position, located in the External Outreach Service (EOS), Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), is based In OHCHR’s West Africa Regional Office (WARO), Dakar, Senegal. The incumbent, working closely with the Communications and Media Sections of EOS, reports to the head of the WARO.

Job description

Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

  • Undertakes activities to promote media coverage (e.g. press conferences, press releases, speeches, Q&As, talking points, interviews, press seminars and other special activities) of priority issues and/or major events in the West Africa region, initiating pro-active media outreach efforts, proposing and arranging press conferences/media coverage and disseminating materials, in close coordination and consultation with the Media Section on approaches/story angles.
  • Initiates and sustains professional relationships with journalists and other key external constituencies.
  • Produces or oversees production of a specific type or types (e.g. print, broadcast, digital, etc.) of communications products and content (e.g. feature articles, human-interest stories, social media content and posts, booklets, brochures, backgrounders, audio-visual materials, etc.).
  • Proposes topics, undertakes research, determines appropriate medium and target audience, prepares production plans, writes drafts, obtains clearances and finalizes texts, edits copy, and coordinates design approval and printing procedures and ensures distribution through the web, social media and other digital platforms.
  • Drafts and implements strategies for media relations and communications, web and digital media, including social media, audio-visual production, etc.
  • Prepares, coordinates and supports communications campaigns in close coordination with the Communications Section and in support of OHCHR priorities.
  • Works closely with United Nations departments, funds, agencies and OHCHR presences in Senegal and the West Africa region to develop ways to implement communications campaigns system-wide, to address specific regional or country-based human rights issues and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products.
  • Maintains social media platforms and uses digital technologies to disseminate and promote outreach activities in coordination with the social media team at Headquarters. Stays abreast of latest digital technologies to enhance advocacy.
  • Analyses media and social media trends and issues in the country and/or region, monitors media statistics, social media and web usage, and adapts content, editorial and outreach priorities accordingly.
  • Analyses, evaluates and reports on the impact of coverage, undertakes appropriate follow-up actions, and advises management on appropriate action/responses.
  • Keeps the Office website updated on a regular basis and liaises for advice, support and overall brand coordination with the Web team at Headquarters.
  • Identifies, establishes and fosters partnerships and collaboration with regional or local media outlets, personalities and celebrities, academia, influencers, etc. to support the office communications activities.
  • Provides guidance to, and may supervise, more junior staff and interns.
  • Performs other related duties as required.

Job requirements

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the different United Nations human rights mechanisms. 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.

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 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.

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 degree) in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field 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 five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, journalism, public information, media relations or related area is required.
  • Experience drafting public information materials (e.g. news articles, opinion pieces, feature stories, press releases, etc.) is required.
  • Media experience is required.
  • Experience at the international level, particularly with intergovernmental organizations, is desirable.
  • Experience in the area of human rights is desirable.
  • Experience working with social media platforms is desirable.
  • Experience in the West Africa region is desirable.
  • Experience in developing communication strategies is desirable.
  • Experience in developing and implementing communications campaigns is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Fluency in French is desirable.

Assessment

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

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.

Pour postuler à ce poste veuillez visiter ce lien: https://inspira.un.org/psp/PUNA1J/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/UN_CUSTOMIZATIONS.UN_JOB_DETAIL.GBL?Action=A&UNAction=Apply&JobOpeningId=129257&languageCd=ENG