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Public Information Assistant

Panamá

  • Organization: UNDP - United Nations Development Programme
  • Location: Panamá
  • Grade: Administrative support - GS-5, General Service - No need for Higher Education - Locally recruited position
  • Occupational Groups:
    • Operations and Administrations
    • Administrative support
    • Communication and Public Information
  • Closing Date: Closed

Background

This position is located in the OCHA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) in Panama City, Panama. OCHA supports the coordination of the humanitarian activities in the region working in collaboration with government authorities, NGOs, international organizations, UN agencies and other partners to promote international standards and best practices aiming to improve the quality of the humanitarian actions in benefit to population in need. The Public Information Assistant reports to the Head of the Information Management Unit. 

Duties and Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Public Information Assistant will be responsible for the following duties which include analysis, communication, advocacy and public relations:
 
  1. Ensures coverage of priority issues and/or major events, including drafting social media content dissemination strategies.
  2. Draft/produces specific type (e.g. print, broadcast, etc.) of information communications products for target audiences including social media assets, press releases, media packets and reports, brochures, briefings, video clips,, and relevant information and advocacy products.
  3. Undertakes activities to promote social media coverage of priority issues (e.g. press conferences, interviews, senior officials' visits to the field and other special activities) and/or major events, to include development of a social media strategy and action plan, initiating pro-active outreach efforts with both colleagues at HQ and in the field, proposing and arranging posts and campaigns, disseminating visual materials.
  4. Assist in the maintainance of OCHA ROLAC online presence through the selection, compilation and edition of documents and materials.
  5. Identify and propose information opportunities, activities and approaches, taking into account the situation/topic and target audience. Gather information from diverse sources and help to assess news value and/or potential impact, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of information campaigns.
  6. Identify key contacts/constituencies and opportunities for strategic partnerships to facilitate media communication efforts and maintain working relationships with the same.
  7. Organize or participate in the organization of conferences, seminars, press briefings, interviews, etc. Prepare briefing materials for senior officials prior to their participation in such events.
  8. Respond to a variety of inquiries and information requests internally and externally; prepare related correspondence.
  9. Perform other duties as assigned.
 
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
 
Staff internal to OCHA ROLAC, particularly with the Programme Assistant (Information Unit) and the Humanitarian Affairs Officer (HAO); Officers and staff within OCHA departments/sections (CRD, AIMB, FCSS, FIS, IT, etc.); OCHA staff in the region (Colombia, Haiti, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Peru, Ecuador); consultants,  corporate partners, NGOs, donors, Regional UN agencies and other key partner international organizations.
 
 
Work implies possible field missions as required.
 
Results Expected:  
 
Works with minimum amount of supervision; independent provision of accurate reports and/or records in the areas of work programming, information management and other programmatic functions; efficiently supervised team of staff involved with the working unit.
 

Competencies

  • Communication:  Excellent communication skills (spoken and written), including ability to draft/compile a variety of written communications products and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style; ability to effectively communicate information to the public; ability to establish and maintain effective business connections.
  • Creativity:  Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs.
  • Client Orientation:  Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects.
  • Technological Awareness: Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, PowerPoint or equivalent, graphics software, internal databases, Internet, etc.
  • Teamwork: Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
 

Required Skills and Experience

Education and Experience:
  • Candidates with Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations or other related fields, a  minimum of two (2)  years of progressively experience in journalism, communications, public relations or related fields are required.  
  • Candidates with high school diploma, a minimum of 5 years are required. International experience in both cases is desirable.
Language:    
  • Fluency in English and Spanish.
Other Skills:
  • Ability to work productively under pressure and cope with deadlines / Good writing skills and typing ability.
 

Disclaimer

Important applicant information

All posts in the GS categories are subject to local recruitment.

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Workforce diversity

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workforce, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

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This vacancy is now closed.
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