Responsibilities

Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Public Information Officer may be responsible for the following duties: • Monitors and analyzes current events, public opinion and press, identifies issues and trends, and advises management on appropriate action/responses. • Carries out and undertakes activities to promote media coverage (e.g. major conferences, events, campaigns, interviews, press seminars and other special activities) of priority issues and/or major events, to include development of a media strategy and action plan, initiating pro-active 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 specific type or types (e.g. print, broadcast, etc.) of information communications products (news stories, multimedia feature materials on UN activities system wide for posting on UN News websites in relevant language, covering the global and local activities of the United Nations, in keeping with editorial guidelines; conducts interviews, gathering audio and video material, undertaking digital editing and programming, podcasts and feature stories; ensures timely and accurate coverage of key United Nations developments at Headquarters and around the world, including through regular weekend or holiday duty shifts and evenings as needed; prepares content for sharing across news platforms, and that it is social media friendly for social media dissemination and helps implement strategies to build audiences across diverse demographics) to include proposing topics, undertaking research, determining appropriate medium and target audience, writing drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, editing copy, and posting on relevant UN websites and related social media websites for distribution. • Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles for inclusion in UN News websites. • Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies. • Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc. • Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies. • Keeps abreast of latest developments in multimedia production, technological innovations and marketing techniques in the online, radio broadcast and social media industries and ensures the successful application to the productions in the relevant language unit. • Undertakes other assignments as may be required.

Competencies

• Professionalism: Knowledge of digital journalism; political awareness and judgment, and knowledge of international current affairs. Ability to write crisply and concisely, making use of sound and words, and to produce audio and video products for news platforms. Knowledge of digital editing technology and of multimedia platforms. Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. campaign management, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. 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. • Planning & 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.

Education

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

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public relations or related area is required. Journalistic experience working in Urdu in a global news environment with a wire service, an online news or broadcast news outlet, preferably in an international multilingual news organization handling digital news with at least five years of experience covering global issues is required. Experience writing news and feature stories in Urdu to multiple daily deadlines, conceptualizing and producing multimedia feature materials is required. Experience in the technical aspects of multimedia production, such as creating audio clips and creating short news video pieces, is desirable. Experience managing social media platforms is desirable. Experience in identifying or creating infographics and appropriate visual content (photos and videos) related to UN News coverage, or the news service of a comparable international multilingual news organization is desirable. Experience in compiling social media and website analytics is desirable

Languages

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