Public Information Officer

Job Opening ID: 227019
Job Network : Public Information and Conference Management
Job Family : Public Information
Category and Level : Professional and Higher Categories, P-3
Duty Station : NEW YORK
Department/Office : Department of Economic and Social Affairs
Date Posted : Feb 1, 2024
Deadline : Mar 2, 2024

Org. Setting and Reporting
The position is located in the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat (UNFFS), a division in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The Public Information Officer (Communications Officer) will report to the Director of the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat. More information on the work of the UN Forum on Forests Secretariat can be found at http://www.un.org/esa/forests/

Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer may be responsible for the following duties:

• Ensures implementation of information programs to strengthen outreach activities of the UNFF Secretariat, publicize priority issues related to sustainable forest management and/or major events, to include drafting information strategies, coordinating efforts, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analyzing the outcome.
• Monitors and analyzes current events, public opinion and press related to forests and sustainable development, identifies issues and trends, and advises management on appropriate action/responses.
• Undertakes activities to promote media coverage (e.g. press conferences, interviews, social media outreach and other special activities) of priority issues and/or major events, to include development of a communication strategy and action plan, initiating pro-active social media outreach efforts, proposing and arranging press conferences/media coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage.
• Produces or oversees production of a new website for the UN Forum on Forests, to make it more user friendly, to include proposing topics, undertaking research, determining appropriate substantive content and site architecture in line with UN guidelines, preparing production plans, writing drafts for the text of the new webpages, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, and coordinating design approval, and launch of the new website.
• Prepares, on the basis of official UNFF documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles, multimedia content and news stories for inclusion in the UNFF website, and UNFFS and DESA online newsletters.
• Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies including Strategic Planning and Communication Services (SPCS) in OUSG/DESA, Department of Global
• Communications (DGC) and Office of Information and Communications Technology (OICT), and UNFF related communication partners and stakeholders.
• Acts as focal point for the migration of the UNFF website from WordPress to Unite Web, monitoring and reporting on developments related to the UN websites, responding to inquiries related UNFFS communication and outreach activities.
• Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies and target audiences related to the implementation of the Communication and Outreach Strategy of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests.
• Perform other assignments as and when required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies, as well as in line with UN website standards in terms of branding and design, as well as IT standards and mandatory requirements for information security of UN website. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities and risks in an international environment. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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.
• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education
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.

Job – Specific Qualification
Not available.

Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required.

Experience in forests, environment, or sustainable development-related communication and outreach is desirable.

Experience with the UN forests, environment, or sustainable development-related intergovernmental processes is desirable.

Languages
English and French are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For the post advertised fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

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

Special Notice
This is an Extrabudgetary-funded post. This post is temporarily available for six (6) months, with a possibility of extension subject to availability of funds, budgetary approval, and extension of the mandate. 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.

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.

Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.

United Nations Considerations
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.

No Fee
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.