English Editor

Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.

English Editor

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

The English Editor works under the direct supervision of the Regional Communications Hub Manager. S/he will be responsible for producing compelling text and multimedia content in English to influence media coverage of the region, with responsibility for ensuring quality and timely production of documentation to increase public recognition and engagement by states to substantially strengthen UNHCR¿s profile in the region among donors and other critical international audiences. The incumbent liaises closely with the Bureau, Division of External Relations and the region and has frequent interaction with UN sister agencies, other intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, embassies and academic institutions. In this regard, diplomatic skills, political awareness and discretion are essential to all aspects of the job. 

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT

Accountability
- UNHCR produces compelling text and multimedia content to help drive media, public recognition and donor engagement with a view to a substantial strengthening of UNHCR¿s Americas profile among donors and other international audiences and increase awareness of the situation of POCs in the region, promote UNHCR¿s operational and advocacy priorities.
- UNHCR content accurately and appropriately showcases the rights and needs of refugees, displaced and stateless people and host communities as well as UNHCR¿s role in their protection and assistance.

Responsibility
- Develop, with key colleagues, a content strategy for the North of Central America, Colombia and Venezuela situations in particular and other possible situations in the region (e.g. children crossing into US, statelessness etc.), ensuring this is aligned with UNHCR advocacy goals and messaging.
- Consult regularly and coordinate with national staff and other key colleagues (including on the DER Global Desk Americas) to identify stories and shape messaging to reflect the broader strategic goals.
- Promote and support local buy-in by the country offices management and the regional offices in the overall strategic direction, key messages and themes.
- Identify and manage content-gathering individuals and/or teams working in the region, including relationships with country offices, contracts, gear, story assignments, travel, security procedures, etc.
- Write and edit video scripts, text stories, social media video, photo captions to a professional standard for uploading to UNHCR¿s distribution system, Refugees Media, etc. Explore other opportunities of dissemination of content, working in coordination with DER.
- Provide editorial/editing guidance and oversight for local and freelance staff.
- Coordinate output with DER staff in New York and Geneva, including in PI and PSP.
- Ensure technical capacity of production team and enhance as needed.
- Ensure timely transfer of photo, video and text files to headquarters as well as maintaining oversight of the archiving and local distribution of video and photo.
- Assist in placing content with news organizations and other external partners, including in local media.
- Assist with the creation and text writing for social media (including for Twitter and Facebook 0:30 sec and 1:00), producing and sharing of engaging and impactful refugee mini-videos.
- Monitor coverage of the region by news organizations to stay up to date on how the stories are developing, where journalists are working and how UNHCR can create and share high-impact content.
- When possible and together with the Associate Social Media Officer, advise communications colleagues in the region on how to use social media content to connect with journalists and communicate about the situation.
- Ensure highest standards of accuracy and editorial content in all external outputs.
- Assist in the recruitment/selection of field-based communications staff as needed.
- Undertake short-notice field missions to humanitarian emergencies and other situations as needed.

Authority
- Assign, edit stories and approve travel and related initiatives of UNHCR content-gathering teams for the Americas situations.
- Advise and provide guidelines on editorial style, forms of address and other protocol matters.

ESSENTIAL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Undergraduate degree (equivalent of a BA/BS) in Journalism, International Relations, Communications, Political Science or similar relevant field.
- Minimum of 6 years (5 years with graduate degree (equivalent of a Master¿s)) of relevant job experience at professional level in progressively responsible functions related to UNHCR and/or any other humanitarian agency on promotional activities of the agency.
- General understanding of UN/UNHCR reforms and the priority agenda of the organization.
- Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint essential).
- Excellent communication skills with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Excellent knowledge of English and Spanish.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS & COMPETENCIES
- Completion of UNHCR Learning Programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.
- High IT affinity with specific focus on preparation of website/pages.
- Knowledge of another relevant UN language. C001L3 - Accountability Level 3
C002L3 - Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 - Communication Level 3
C004L3 - Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 - Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 - Organizational Awareness Level 3
X001L3 - Analytical Thinking Level 3
X002L3 - Innovation and Creativity Level 3
X005L3 - Planning and Organizing Level 3

Before applying to this position, we strongly encourage colleagues to read the country specific FAQs information leaflets which can be found  on the Intranet under Staff Resources > Duty of Care. The information leaflets are specifically designed to answer some of the key questions potential applicants might have before deciding to apply. 

¿ Knowledge of refugee issues/internally displaced persons, their needs, their rights/obligations.
¿ Understanding of the media environment in the Americas highly desirable
¿ Excellent communication skills with strong interpersonal and negotiation skills.
¿ Strong analytical skills in conducting research, fact sheets, global appeals and concept papers;
¿ Excellent computer skills (MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint essential).
¿ Excellent knowledge of English and Spanish with highly developed drafting ability in both languages. Despite innovative approaches over the years in protection and solutions in the Americas and Caribbean, UNHCR in the region has not been able to give the required visibility to its activities and mandate within and outside the region, nor of our added value and what difference we make on the ground. The Regional Communications Hub in Mexico will allow for improved design and roll out of a communication and advocacy strategy that will result in better coverage, outreach and visibility of the humanitarian needs in the region, our operations, as well as mobilize support by non-traditional actors. The Regional Communications Hub will operate in line with the priorities under the Brazil Plan of Action (2014) and on the basis of agreed work plans and inputs from the Bureau Director, Representatives and country multifunctional teams, in close liaison with DER on organizational priorities. The Regional Communications Hub will maximize advocacy outreach with targeted support from DER¿s Public Information, Private Sector Partnerships and Resource Mobilization sections. In doing so, it will create synergies between these fields, promoting increased integration and coordination among them, which will lead to greater coherence in communication and advocacy efforts. Regional Communications Hub will also incorporate to this strategic approach the work of information management in the region, including the compilation, analysis and production of data and information products. Understanding of the use of communication, advocacy and information management with these goals would be critical. The English Editor works under the direct supervision of the Regional Communications Hub Manager. S/he will be responsible for producing compelling text and multimedia content in English to influence media coverage of the region, with responsibility for ensuring quality and timely production of documentation to increase public recognition and engagement by states to substantially strengthen UNHCR¿s profile in the region among donors and other critical international audiences. The incumbent liaises closely with the Bureau, Division of External Relations and the region and has frequent interaction with UN sister agencies, other intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, embassies and academic institutions. In this regard, diplomatic skills, political awareness and discretion are essential to all aspects of the job. ¿ Family duty station A
¿ Very good infrastructure (health, housing, banking transportation, telecommunications and recreational facilities)
¿ Adequate schools. There is no lack of private schools, although the number of bilingual or bicultural schools is not high. ¿ Good security awareness needed.
¿ Common crime is a concern; staff should be alert and adopt basic precautions.
¿ Although there is no official curfew in place, staff are advised not to circulate after dark. ¿ Full command of Spanish is essential.
¿ Previous experience in the Latin America field is highly desirable.

Please note that the closing date for all vacancies in the September 2017 Compendium is Monday 6 November 2017 (midnight Geneva time).