SENIOR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

This position is located in the Strategic Communication and Public Information Division (SCPID) of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). The Senior Public Information Officer will be based in Bangui and reports to Chief, SCPID.

Within the limits of delegated authority, the Senior Public Information Officer, will act as SCPID Coordinator and may be responsible for the following duties:

• Conceptualizes, designs and executes the Mission's integrated communication strategy, under the supervision of the director of Strategic Communication and Public Information Division (SCPID) , including its evaluation and regular updating, covering the Mission's internal and external strategic communications activities.
• Uses data-driven tools and techniques to monitors and tests efficacy of messaging making adjustments to be responsive to stakeholders and public opinion. Develops and implements the Mission crisis communication activities.
• As delegated by SCPID director, oversees and directly manages all substantive and operational aspects of all units based in Bangui and in the regions and ensure they have the required assistance and guidance: Specifically support Bangui sections (outreach, Content Productions, Radio Guira FM, and Spokesperson office).
• Formulates and updates, in consultation with Director of SCPID, the substantive work programme of the public information component of the Mission, coordinates with various Mission components, and with UN agencies, funds and programmes and partners, as appropriate.
• Lead on special projects on behalf of SCPID. Propose innovative way to do business.
Be the focal point for planning and propose ideas or angles of code cables. Review strategies and keep one eye on action plan to implement
• Ensures regular, timely and professional communications, on all traditional and digital media platforms. Provides pertinent communications advice and input for Mission interactions with all key stakeholders, such as non- governmental and civil society organizations.
• As SCPI coordinator, assist SCPID Director on managerial tasks and leads the front office. Plan all meetings particularly Monthly meeting with SCPID staff and weekly meetings with chief of sections. Lead on the preparations of annual retreats as well as the production of “SCPID week ahead” or the division “Monthly One pager”.
• Oversees public information outputs to ensure that they meet high-quality standards, in accordance with UN policy objectives and rules and regulations, and are evaluated for their effectiveness.
• Gives press briefings, background briefings and interviews to national and international media; drafts and/or edits and issues press releases, official statements and communication materials on behalf of the mission as necessary.
• Interacts with local, regional and international media and establishes and maintains cooperative relationships.
• Consults with and provides UN Headquarters communication entities with regular updates on Mission activities.
• Maintains regular interaction and consults with public information personnel at UNHQ.
• Manages, guides, develops and trains staff under his/her supervision; participates in hiring process from approving terms of reference to selection of appropriate experts or consultants.
• Other related duties that may be assigned.

•Professionalism: Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to advise on high profile and sensitive communication challenges. Ability to assess world-wide communication environments, develop communication strategies and manage implementation of public information campaigns with various promotional and publicity techniques. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to present and defend difficult positions to senior officials. 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.

•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.

• Judgement/Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary.

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

A minimum of ten years with a master's degree or twelve years with a bachelor's degree of progressively responsible experience in public information, external communications, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required.
Experience in managing multidisciplinary team is required.
Experience in finance and budgeting is desirable.

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in oral and written English and French is required.

Previously rostered candidates are not subject to any further assessment and as such, will not be invited for such an assessment.

This "Recruit from Roster" job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.

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.

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.