Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Regional Office for West and Central Africa (ROSEN), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) with duty station in Dakar, Senegal. The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Programme Coordinator leading the Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (TIP/SOM) Programme Team, and the overall supervision of the Senior Law Enforcement Officer and the Representative of ROSEN. For more information on UNODC, please visit the website www.unodc.org

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the Associate Media and Communications Officer will provide assistance to the development of the media and communication strategy of the Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (TIP/SOM) programming area. S/he will be responsible for providing support to the management of the secretariat functions. As Team member, the incumbent will liaise with the national focal points on a daily basis, as well as with internal and external partners to ensure the operationalization and functioning of the mechanism. The incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Provide substantive support to promoting the work of UNODC against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants in West and Central Africa within the overall framework of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children and the Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air, both supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. • Support the development, maintenance and updating of the programming area’s advocacy and communication strategy and associated workplan at the regional level in consultation with the Supervisor and colleagues. • Provide substantive support to promoting a better understanding of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants’ issues as well as the work conducted by the Team to assist states in countering these thematic areas in West and Central Africa by carrying out media, information and communication campaigns on various platforms. • Draft and edit key external information material, including brochures, web stories, press releases, briefing points and official discourses. Draft articles on Team’s activities in West Africa together with original stories related to trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants (feature stories, photo stories and Press notes). • Design, launch and support the Team’s website together with its communication and advocacy strategy. Update website and Social Media Management by preparing new material and updating daily and weekly content for the Team’s website and Social Media platforms. • Assist with Media Monitoring and flagging of trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants’ issues reported in the media (online, print and broadcast). • Sort, produce and maintain a photo and video gallery with content from the Team’s projects in West Africa and Central Africa. Assist with the design, production and dissemination of the Team’s publications and reports. • Participate in key events, conferences, workshops and networks, as needed. • Assist with the development and implementation of communication and awareness-raising activities. Support the design and implementation of the International day for Victims of Trafficking (Blue Heart Campaign) and International Migrant’s day. • Establish Team’s database (Media and Stakeholders) for information and media dissemination. • Maintain close collaboration with regional Communication Advisers from other agencies and UNODC HQ Communication Officers for effective overall coordination. Maintain close collaboration with local media and influencers. • Attend UN Communications Group meetings and participate in joint activities as required. • Respond to other media and communication related requests as needed. • Provide substantive support and assistance with programme management tasks, including the development, implementation and monitoring of assigned projects and their activities, as required. • Compile information on best practices in the fight against trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants and facilitate information sharing at the regional level. • Contribute to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provide draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Perform other work-related duties as required.

Competencies

Professionalism: Has knowledge of the full range of communications approaches and tools, strong social media skills and ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Has demonstrated subject matter expertise and judgment. Is able to work with a high degree of autonomy in line with established procedures in a politically sensitive environment. Shows personal initiative and accountability. Has ability to handle information objectively, accurately and confidentially. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. 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.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in journalism, communication, media with a focus on social science, international relations, political science, law, public administration or related fields is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the United Nations Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P).

Job – Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of relevant professional experience in journalism, communication or media OR the successful completion of the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P) is required. Work experience in applying ethical standards in reporting on migration, human rights, crime prevention or criminal justice is required. Work experience in writing and editing articles, including for the web, and conducting interviews is required. Work experience with photography, filming or video-editing is desirable. Work experience within the United Nations system or similar international organizations in the thematic areas of migration, trafficking in persons or human rights is desirable. Work experience in a field environment is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

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

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This is a project post. Filling of this position is subject to funding availability and the initial appointment will be for a period of one year. Extension of the appointment is subject to extension of the mandate and/or the availability of the funds. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. Applicants, who successfully go through a competitive recruitment process and are recommended for selection and/or inclusion in the roster of pre-approved candidates for subsequent job openings at the same level and with similar functions, may have their application information and roster status shared with other UN Organizations. Such applicants may be contacted by other UN Organizations for similar job openings, subject to the confirmation of their interest. Placement on the roster is no guarantee of a future selection. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Dakar is classified in the A category (family duty station).

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.