PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER - Head of Editorial Unit (Temporary Job Opening) [Temporary]

This position is located in the Communications Section, in the External Outreach Service of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the incumbent reports to the Chief of Communications Section.

Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer (Head of Editorial Unit) will be responsible for the following duties: • Supports the implementation of communications campaigns and other outreach activities. • Oversees the preparation of a diverse range of information products in support of major communications strategies. This includes consulting with experts and staff members on topics of interest to the general public, proposing topics, commissioning contributed articles or text for use in promotional publications, overseeing research, writing of drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, editing copy and providing design approval, overseeing printing procedures and dissemination. • Advises on the use of OHCHR’s brand. • Prepares and coordinates complex drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in OHCHR offline and online platforms and edit drafts prepared by junior officers. • Represents the organization in meetings and conferences. Fulfills speaking engagements, delivers presentations to groups on OHCHR activities and advocates for issues of concern. • Organizes seminars, lectures, conferences on major events concerning the organization. Analyzes public opinion and respond to queries on the UN human rights programme. • Builds relationships with information networks and partnerships to foster engagement. • Plans and oversees maintenance of public information materials on OHCHR’s website and the UN human rights programme. Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies. • Provides final approval for printing and oversees press revisions. Inspects publications and other printed and on-line materials for production quality prior to release and distribution. • Assists in the day-to-day operation of the Section to include coordination of substantive and administrative activities. • Provides guidance to junior officers, general service staff, consultants and interns. • Performs other related duties as required.

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of and practical experience in the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to prepare and coordinate the production of information products with emphasis on written materials ; strong communications research and analytical skills. Ability to effectively interact with the public in communicating information and building/maintaining effective connections with targeted groups and the general public; ability to present positions on behalf of OHCHR with authority. 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; and 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. PLANNING AND 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. MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.

Advanced University Degree (Masters degree or equivalent degree) in political science, international relations, journalism or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of seven years of relevant professional experience in journalism, public relations, communications or related field is required. Three years of managerial experience is required. Experience in the UN Common System or other international organization is an asset. Familiarity with human rights themes is an advantage. Experience in writing journalistic pieces/articles on international affairs is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of French is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

THIS POSITION IS TEMPORARILY AVAILABLE FOR A PERIOD UNTIL 13 OCTOBER 2019, WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION - SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

• If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as "retirement." Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.

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.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.