Org. Setting and Reporting

The position is located within the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSC, in the office of the Deputy Special Representative, Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator (DSRSG/RC/H. The Public Information Officer will be based in Kinshasa. The incumbent anticipates the formulation and implementation of strategy, planning, development and provision of accurate and timely information to internal and external audiences with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for the Mission’s work, including in the context of the transition. She/he prepares or oversees the development of a diverse range of communications products across multiple platforms including digital, radio, TV and print; handles aspects of media relations and outreach; sets up or helps to establish a regular system of guidance and monitoring to meet the needs of the Mission; establishes and maintains a cooperative relationship with partners and local and international journalists; responds in a timely fashion to disinformation that could negatively impact public perception of the Mission and/or the Mission’s leadership.

Responsibilities

The Public Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Prepares or oversees the development of communications products and content across multiple platforms ensuring accurate and consistent messaging, branding, and alignment with the Mission’s communications strategy. Oversees the preparation of a diverse range of communication products in support of Mission priorities and coordinates with UN agencies, funds and programmes to develop ways to implement systemwide campaigns and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products. Drafts material for press releases, key messages, Q&As, talking points, digital content, UN newsletters reports and books; edits materials prepared by junior officers. Conceptualizes, manages, implements and evaluates communication strategies and activities, including in relation to the transition. Based on the Mission communication strategy, responsible for updating and executing a strategy for media relations, publications, web and digital media including social media, community outreach and/or radio products with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for the Mission’s work and support for UN Peacekeeping or Special Political mandate and priorities. Responsible for updating the UN System’s transition communication strategy and for ensuring its implementation. Reports to Mission leadership, UNHQ on communications activities, developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN; and coordinates and shares public information activities and guidance with other sections of the Public Information Unit and leadership when appropriate. Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of public affairs issues, methods, and approaches. Identifies and seeks new opportunities for advancing the Mission, anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems. Oversees statistical analysis of media monitoring, social media and web usage and adapts editorial and outreach priorities accordingly. Engages with media and strengthens partnerships Provides press briefings and interviews to national and international media; drafts and issues press statements and press releases as necessary; establishes and maintains a cooperative relationship with local and international journalists; Fluent in digital communication with strong understanding of social media, keeps abreast of changing developments, trends, and technologies. Arranges interviews and/or background briefings with senior Mission officials and facilitates the daily work of journalists covering the Mission. Sets up regular system of media guidance and monitoring and develops contact list of journalists and media outlets covering all mediaprint, TV, radio, social media, web, photo etc.and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media. Responds in a timely fashion to disinformation that could impact negatively on the public perception of the Mission and/or the Mission’s leadership, etc. Develops partnerships and represents the Head or Deputy Head of the Unit in meetings/conferences, speaking engagements Develops outreach initiatives to raise visibility of the Mission by organizing and/or participating in seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization. In consultation with supervisor, develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of public information objectives; Serves as a principal liaison to media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, etc. Represents the Mission in meetings and conferences; fulfils speaking engagements, makes presentations to groups on UN humanitarian activities and advocates for issues of concern. Builds communication capacity and team management Manages the daytoday operation of the unit including participating in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the unit, interpreting and disseminating policy, providing procedural advice, improving reporting systems, handling operational and administrative queries, preparing budget submissions, establishing and/or coordinating training programmes and monitoring and evaluating results. Provides clear directions that are translated from organizational strategy. Encourages others to pursue development opportunities and creates genuine learning opportunities for them. In close coordination with the Chief, manages and supervises public information and consultants to achieve the outputs and quality assurance of all activities; establishing work plans, required resources, priorities, timelines and performance benchmarks. Monitors progress and takes timely action and/or decisions to ensure objectives are met. Participates in recruitment, supervision and evaluation of staff as appropriate. Other related duties that may be assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: 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 twoway 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalenin communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A firstlevel university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

JobSpecific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required. Experience managing digital channels (websites and/or social mediin a professional context is required. Experience in working with UN Agencies, international organization, including field experience working in conflict, postconflict or developing country as well as experience as spokesperson is desirable. Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication and ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions is desirable. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns is desirable Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships is desirable. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources, to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style, and to deliver oral presentations is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English and French is required.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is temporarily available until 31 December 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. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. 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 16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 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 (the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a costeffective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.

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 nonsmoking 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 SecretaryGeneral, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 2 (. Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D2 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 accountholder 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 timon 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 TRAININ. THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.