Head of Public Information (D-1 level)

Chief Public Information Officer (D-1) Responsibilities (The following duties are generic and may differ depending on the requirements of the mission. The location of the position could be based in any of our field operations, but we are specifically interested in those willing to work in Africa):

• Formulates, implements and manages the mission’s integrated communications strategy, in close consultation with the Head of Mission, including its design, implementation, evaluation, and update, covering the mission's internal and external strategic communications activities; • Formulates and manages, in consultation with mission leadership, the substantive work programme of the public information component of the mission, including by directing work in the different areas within the public information component (media relations, media monitoring and analysis, TV/video, radio, print, web and digital media photo, press and outreach, etc.), and by coordinating with various mission components, and with UN agencies, funds and programmes and partners, as appropriate; • Ensures that public information outputs meet high-quality standards, in accordance with UN policy objectives and rules and regulations, and are evaluated for their effectiveness; • Oversees mission interaction with local, regional and international media; • Advises mission leadership, senior staff and other mission personnel, including in the military and police, on strategic communication matters; • As appropriate and required, provides advice and input for mission leadership interactions with officials of the Government, major parties to a peace process/negotiations, as well as with other key stakeholders, such as non-governmental and civil society organizations. • Oversees the administration of the public information component, including managing the budget, preparing annual cost estimates and monitoring budget allocations and expenditures; • Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff and across organizational boundaries; • Ensures that the mission communications strategies and public information campaigns are harmonized with overall goals and objectives of the United Nations and the Departments Peacekeeping Operations and Field Support; • Determines use of appropriate communication technologies for production and dissemination; • Maintains regular interaction and consults, as appropriate, with public information personnel at UNHQ.

Competencies

Professionalism: - Ability to conceive, implement and manage integrated communications strategies, often in sensitive and complex environments, based on an assessment of different communications challenges and the changing strategic and operational goals of the mission; - ability to design and conduct effective local, regional and worldwide media campaigns; - ability to oversee production and integration of various types of media, including video, radio, digital, photo, print, etc; - ability to oversee the work of the mission spokesperson and media relations and media monitoring units; - ability to function as key strategic communications advisor to mission leadership and other senior officials; - ability to assess political trends, public attitudes, local conditions and developments; - ability to oversee evaluation and public opinion surveys; - ability to plan, manage and evaluate complex budgets; - ability to follow and apply complex procurement rules and procedures; - in-depth knowledge of strategic and crisis communications; - knowledge of public information production and awareness of technological developments in radio, video, digital communications, etc; - highly developed communication (spoken, written, public speaking and presentation) skills, including ability to present and defend difficult positions to a wide range of audiences.

Managing, Planning and Organizing:

• ability and experience in planning and managing effective strategic communications campaigns targeted to relevant audiences (local, regional and international media; NGO's; civil society; government officials; international institutions; business groups, etc);
• ability to implement and supervise programme activities consistent with agreed strategies within the context of the mission mandate;
• ability to identify strategic issues, provide analysis and solve problems;
• ability and extensive experience in managing and directing a large staff with diverse skills and expectations in carrying out an effective work programme;
• in-depth knowledge of management;
• proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment, including ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate groups of staff and design training/skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge/skills;
• good knowledge and command of planning, programming, budgeting, finance management, personnel and other relevant administrative policies;
• discretion and sound judgement in applying expertise to highly complex and/or sensitive issues;
• strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement.

Gender Mainstreaming and Teamwork:

• Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations;
• Ability to provide leadership and take responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives into substantive work;
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity;
• Ability to lead and gain assistance of others in a team endeavour.

Judgement/Decision-Making:

• Mature judgement, initiative, imagination and resourcefulness, energy and tact;
• Proven ability to provide strategic direction, to plan and establish priorities, and to ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve goals.

Leadership:

• Proven track record of excellent management and technical leadership skills and ability to delegate appropriate responsibility and accountability;
• Ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff and design training/skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge/skills.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in one or more of the following: strategic communications, communications, public relations, international relations, broadcasting or other relevant disciplines such as social sciences, business administration or management. A relevant combination of academic and professional experience in a relevant discipline may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Experience

At least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public information, or media, including management, in large multicultural institutions; field experience with international organizations; knowledge of programme planning and related management practices, as well as familiarity with UN administrative procedures, rules and regulations, specifically human resources, budgetary and procurement matters; experience with crisis communications techniques and strategies.

Language

Fluency in spoken and written English or French; knowledge of a second UN official language is an advantage and sometimes a requirement. Fluency in the local language may be essential.

How to apply:

For further information, interested applicants should send a recent CV to the following address: outreachforpeace@un.org