PUBLIC INFORMATION ASSISTANT

This position is located primarily in the Partnerships Unit, Digital and Promotion Branch, News and Media Division of the Department of Global Communications (DGC). Incumbents typically report to a Public Information Officer or head of Partnerships Unit. The Partnerships Unit is the marketing, promotion, and distribution office for the products and services which NMD produces. This includes placement of UN media products on various media platforms and other outlets both traditional and nontraditional; production and dissemination of promotional materials for NMD products and services; presence at high-level events, conferences, local and international media markets; and analytical and statistical reports on usage of NMD products.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Public Information Assistant may be responsible for the following duties:

• Provides general office support; coordinates and responds to complex information requests and inquiries; processes, drafts and finalizes correspondence and other communications; sets up and maintains files/records, organizes meetings, including reserving meeting rooms monitors deadlines, etc.
• Coordinates administrative services, including preparing, monitoring relationships with current clients by contacting existing media outlet clients regularly to maintain partnership relations; liaising with production teams for questions related to content delivery, frequency of production, and responds to extensive requests for NMD products and services from existing and potential clients.
• Provides specialized assistance in outreaching potential clients to promote UN multimedia products and services by researching and identifying broadcasters, non-traditional media and other types of organizations potentially interested in using NMD products and services and, in consultation with the Unit Chief, initiates contact to establish partnerships; negotiating the terms of and executing licensing agreements.
• Manages, updates and further develops the client relationship management (CRM) databases; updates web site, to include drafting and editing content; and activities related to its maintenance by serving as a primary system administrator for the Unit’s CRM database; managing the back-end updates of the CRM database, including data feeds and other integrations; handling all basic administrative functions including user account maintenance, reports, dashboards and workflows.
• Researches, compiles, and presents basic information on industries and markets relevant to building effective partnerships by researching industry trends and reporting regularly on new developments which may affect the work of the Unit, proposing new cost- and time-effective methods of promoting and providing NMD products and services.
• Participates in the planning and identifies opportunities for long-term strategic/creative partnerships to expand audiences and broaden the reach of NMD products and services.
• Using relevant computer software, compiles information in appropriate format for promotional and other material, e.g. brochures, presentational materials, announcements, etc.; ensures that marketing items etc. are appropriate and conform to UN standards.
• Ensures availability and appropriate information on assigned topics/issues from diverse sources , etc. by researching and analyzing new developments in communication technology, and the corresponding changes in the media industry and in media consumer behavior.
• Provides guidance/training to junior staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge in using web authoring applications such as client relationship management (CRM) databases; Ability to draft text for promotional materials and client communication. 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.

Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.

Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services. Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs. Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas. Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box.” Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things. Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent.

Work Experience

A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in public communications, production and dissemination of information communication products and services on a website platform or related area is required.

Experience with web authoring applications such as client relationship management (CRM) databases or similar is required.

Experience drafting text for promotional materials and client communication (ex. newsletters) is desirable.

Experience liaising with external potential clients to promote UN multimedia products and services is desirable

Experience working in a communication and/or public information capacity in an office of the United Nations common system or a comparable international organization is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year.

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.

Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.

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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.

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.

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.