This post is located in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA), based in Cairo, Egypt. Under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNODC Regional Representative, the incumbent will work in close collaboration and coordination with the ROMENA team in the area of communications, advocacy, visibility and SDGs in the framework of the regional framework for the Arab States (2023-2028) and related global, regional and national UNODC and UN activities. The Assistant Communications and Visibility Officer is responsible for the design, implementation and management of the corporate communications and publications strategy, geared to influence the development, rule-of-law and justice agenda, promote public and media outreach and mobilize political and financial support for UNODC. The Assistant Communications and Visibility Officer maintains working relationship with the ROMENA regional, and national experts and programme managers as well as with team colleagues at HQ and other UNODC offices, staff of other UN Agencies ensuring successful UNODC communication strategy implementation embedded in the SDGs.

• Maintain and update regularly UNODC ROMENA’s publications, social media and website, including the production of quarterly newsletters, web stories and press releases. • Undertake quality control to all communications products and branding produced in the region. • Collaborate with other communications staff and/or focal points. • Support the UNODC Executive Director’s communications as required. • Promote and disseminate advocacy materials for launching flagship initiatives and publications such as the World Drug Report, Global Report on Human Trafficking, Global Homicide Report etc. • Maintain a database with the main UNODC contacts in the region for the dissemination of UNODC publications, including media contact. • Maintain relations with the press and the media. • Monitor media coverage of ROMENA activities. • Help UNODC ROMENA’s team identify the ways communications can be harnessed to advance programme goals. • Assist in providing guidance and advice to ROMENA teams in the region on how best to raise the profile of their events/results. • Ensure facilitation of knowledge building and management internally and externally. • Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice. • Include synthesis of proposals for project formulations to integrate advocacy and communication strategies into all aspects of UNODC’s projects. • Add identification and synthesis of best practices and lessons learned in communications directly linked to programme country goals and activities. • Engage proactively with the Communications Groups of the UNCTs in the region. • Enhance collaboration and cooperation with partners, donors and counterparts. • Spread awareness and disseminate information on SDG efforts and actions. • Implement different communication and visibility strategies as per the counterparts’/partners requirements. • Deliver annual reports on communications efforts to the Regional Representative and as required. • Contribute to the collection and analysis of data and identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Document requirements and background information used for data analysis. • Undertake other relevant UNODC communication-related duties, as required.

• Professionalism: Knowledge of at least two programming languages, basic systems analysis and design techniques, testing, debugging, and documentation standards, database design, storage and internal systems. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Able to analyse and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. • 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. • 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.

A first-level university degree in in communications, public affairs, international relations, journalism or equivalent is required.

Not available.

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible work experience at the national or international level in public relations, communications or advocacy is required. Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages, as well as good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems is required. Experience in the management of social media is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and Arabic, with excellent drafting skills, is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

This is a project post. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment will be subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection.  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 and geographical diversity in its staff.  Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.

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.