Job Summary:

Under the overall authority of the Director of the Division for Communications and Public Engagement (CPE) and the direct supervision of the Director of the UNESCO Liaison Office in New York (NYO), the incumbent will lead communications and outreach activities for the Office.

The Communications and Outreach Officer is a key actor in the production and dissemination of quality content for the press and targeted audiences, including partners, civil society and official institutions in the form of impact and human-interest stories, strategic briefings and compelling content on UNESCO’s impact and key results.

S/he will design and implement Outreach Plans, advise on advocacy positions and key messaging, draft pitches and press releases, and write and place op-eds, in order to position and strengthen UNESCO’s visibility and public reputation for key actors and partners. This includes a very strong knowledge of the United States media and institutional landscape and a strong ability to lead the development of close and trusted relationships with partners and decision-makers, in order to maximize coverage of UNESCO’s stories and impact and build the ground to maximize UNESCO’s reputation among policy makers in the UN Secretariat and in North America. This also includes a clear ability to craft compelling messages and work closely with experts in the sectors to source substance (facts and data) and convey content in a clear manner to maximize outreach. The incumbent will respond to media queries and have a strong sense of diplomacy and tact to channel sensitive requests whenever needed and communicate about UNESCO’s impact and results.

Duties:

Within this context, the incumbent will in particular:

• Lead Media and Outreach Planning and advise on strategy.
• Advise the Office Director and liaise with other team members to present UNESCO’s activities and missions, with a view to increase visibility and develop partnerships.
• Identify and craft most relevant messages and optimize the planning of communication, announcements, press briefings, releases, media advisories, pitches and op-eds for optimum media impact and positive public perception of UNESCO.
• Sculpt advocacy and messaging for the media and institutions/government institutions/UN audiences.
• Monitor relevant developments at the United Nations and in the United States, including government, civil society and media activities of relevance to UNESCO’s mandate. Analyze and prepare strategic notes on their impact for the Organization’s engagement.
• Pitch UNESCO stories to journalists, draft press releases and op-eds. Shape style and substance for UNESCO’s voice in the media and American press. Compose press releases on priority topics, defining angles, headlines and leads and quotes, based on clear evidence to maximize UNESCO’s coverage. This includes English language editing, translating, proof-reading, re-drafting texts, statements, talking points and other messages.

• Produce content for use in communication campaigns, the web, social media and institutional partners’ reports. Shape style and substance for UNESCO’s voice in digital platforms. Compose digital campaigns on priority topics, defining angles, headlines and leads and quotes. This includes English language editing, translating, proof-reading, re-drafting texts, statements, talking points and other messages. Edit documents when required, including rewriting, abridging, and restructuring texts for improved readability and attractiveness.
• Respond to media and partners’ enquiries – build dialogue and nurture strong relations with partners, journalists and correspondents following UNESCO.
• Contribute to maintaining UNESCO’s database of journalists and ensure regular updates of press monitoring tools.
• Additional activities that may be required to ensure the success of the work of the team.

COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)

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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Education

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Communication, Public Relations, Social Sciences, International Relations or a related field. A first-level university degree in the aforementioned fields, combined with two (2) additional years of qualifying professional experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of four (4) years of relevant professional experience in the field of Communication and International Relations, of which preferably 2 years acquired at the international level.
• Proven experience in managing communications campaigns and related fields of press relations, digital communications and public relations.
• Background in advocacy and outreach.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent knowledge of the United States media landscape.
• Excellent writing and editorial skills.
• Proven ability to pitch compelling stories to media and the public.
• Ability to rapidly analyze, synthesize, adjust and calibrate information.
• Excellent diplomatic skills and political sense.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

Work Experience

• Experience of the UN and diplomatic environments.

Skills & Competencies

• Knowledge of the UN System.

Languages

• Knowledge of another official language of UNESCO (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and/or Spanish).