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Public Information Officer - Communications UN

Public Information Officer - Communications (P-3)

Closing date: 26 Jun 2012

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Date of issue: 19 June 2012

United Nations Office: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs - Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA)

Post title and Level: Public Information Officer - Communications (P-3)

Duty station: Cairo, Egypt

Duration: Six months (with possibility of extension)

Entry on Duty: As soon as possible

Vacancy Notice number: OCHA/G/35/2012

Deadline for applications: 26 June 2012
Special Mention: Appointment against this post is limited to temporary replacement of incumbent. Hence, the initial duration of the appointment is limited to the above indicated period.

United Nations Core Values: INTEGRITY / PROFESSIONALISM / RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY
ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This Public Information Officer - Communications position is located in the the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA), based in Cairo. Within the limits of delegated authority, the incumbent reports to the ROMENA Head of Office and shall be responsible for the following duties:

RESPONSIBILITIES: Ensures implementation of joint information programs to publicize priority issues and/or major events, to include drafting joint communications strategies, coordinating common media and communications efforts, including country-level common messaging development and chairing or co-chairing a humanitarian communications group including relevant UN agencies, NGOs and other partners; monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analysing the outcome; Advises senior representatives on media developments and appropriate approaches for media engagement to raises awareness of humanitarian needs and advocate timely and coordinated response; Provides support in their interactions with media by monitoring and analysing current events, public opinion and press, and identifying challenging issues and trends; Undertakes activities to promote timely media coverage (e.g. press conferences, interviews, press seminars and other special activities) of priority humanitarian issues and/or major events, initiating pro-active and strategic media outreach efforts, proposing and arranging press conferences/media coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analysing and reporting on the impact of coverage; Produces or oversees production of information communications products (e.g. press kits, press releases, feature articles, speeches, booklets, brochures, backgrounders, audio-visual materials, radio spot program, 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, and coordinating design approval, printing procedures and distribution; Contributes content to and maintains appropriate and timely web and social media outreach; Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies; Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books; Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc.; Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies; Provides guidance to, and may supervise, more junior staff.

Competences
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 analyse 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; 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 the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

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.

Qualifications & Experience
EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (i.e. Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required; A first-level university degree (i.e. Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in one of the above mentioned academic disciplines in combination with qualifying relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.

WORKING EXPERIENCE: A minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or a related area is required; Field experience working in crisis countries during complex or other emergency or disaster situations is required; Relevant experience within the UN Common System experience is desirable.
LANGUAGE: For this position fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; Knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable.
***SPECIAL NOTICE ***
Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. All posts are subject to availability of funds.
Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions at the same level in other field duty stations.
Upon selection candidates will be subject to satisfactory reference checks to be completed by the recruiting department/office which shall include verification of the highest required academic qualification(s) and record with the last employer.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context all staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Applications from qualified female candidates and from nationals of non- and under-represented countries are particularly encouraged.
How to apply: All applicants are requested to email the following documents to

degum@un.org with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org

Please state your full name and the OCHA vacancy notice number (OCHA/G/34/2012) as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every vacancy announcement.
Documents titles should be formatted as follows: LASTNAME_Firstname_ DOCUMENT;

For example: GREEN_Joseph_PHP.doc; GREEN_Joseph_SUPP.doc; GREEN_Joseph_SPIF.doc; GREEN_Joseph_PAS.doc and/or; GREEN_Joseph_COVERLETTER.doc.
Note that an applicants’ eligibility cannot be fully assessed if the standard United Nations recruitment documents are not submitted or properly completed i.e. Personal History profile and Supplementary Sheet.

All Application Forms can be found by clicking on the following link:
http://ocha.unog.ch/OCHAvacancies/
Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
All applicants are encouraged to subscribe to, create profile, and apply to job openings on Inspira. The personal history profile that is generated from Inspira can also be used to apply to temporary vacancy announcements within the United Nations Common System.
"The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees). Also, the United Nations does not concern itself with information on bank accounts".

How to apply:

***SPECIAL NOTICE ***
Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. All posts are subject to availability of funds.
Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions at the same level in other field duty stations.
Upon selection candidates will be subject to satisfactory reference checks to be completed by the recruiting department/office which shall include verification of the highest required academic qualification(s) and record with the last employer.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context all staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Applications from qualified female candidates and from nationals of non- and under-represented countries are particularly encouraged.
How to apply: All applicants are requested to email the following documents to degum@un.org with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org
Please state your full name and the OCHA vacancy notice number (OCHA/G/34/2012) as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every vacancy announcement.
Documents titles should be formatted as follows: LASTNAME_Firstname_ DOCUMENT;
For example: GREEN_Joseph_PHP.doc; GREEN_Joseph_SUPP.doc; GREEN_Joseph_SPIF.doc; GREEN_Joseph_PAS.doc and/or; GREEN_Joseph_COVERLETTER.doc.
Note that an applicants’ eligibility cannot be fully assessed if the standard United Nations recruitment documents are not submitted or properly completed i.e. Personal History profile and Supplementary Sheet.

All Application Forms can be found by clicking on the following link: http://ocha.unog.ch/OCHAvacancies/
Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
All applicants are encouraged to subscribe to, create profile, and apply to job openings on Inspira. The personal history profile that is generated from Inspira can also be used to apply to temporary vacancy announcements within the United Nations Common System.
"The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees). Also, the United Nations does not concern itself with information on bank accounts".