Public Information Assistant

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Washington, D.C, within the Information Centres Service (ICS), Campaigns and Country Operations (CCOD), Department of Global Communications (DGC). The UNIC Washington is the principal source of information about the United Nations system in the United States. The information centre is responsible for promoting public understanding and support for the aims and activities of the United Nations by disseminating UN information materials to a local audience in English; engaging local and regional partners; and, overall, bringing the United Nations closer to the people it serves. The incumbent is under the overall supervision of the Director of UNIC Washington and reports directly to the Deputy Director.

Responsibilities

Within delegated, the Public Information Assistant may be responsible for the following duties: • Provides specialized assistance in the production and delivery of information communications products and services to support UNIC Washington outreach to policy makers and influencers, students and young people and the general public. • Researches a broad scope of information sources, printed and electronic; compiles and presents information for use in the preparation and production of communications products/services for external audiences. • Serves as a focal point on UN activities to develop strategic partnerships with key constituencies (Government officials, NGOs, think tanks, schools, private-sector and media organizations); organizes, coordinates logistic and technical arrangements, backstops advocacy meetings and events for visiting senior UN officials; requests and organizes and allocates space coverage of important events; compiles, produces and distributes to relevant counterparts basic information on the wide spectrum of UN activities. • Organizes and executes special events, coordinating with diverse partners and the media, if appropriate, to highlight and publicize key events. • Assists in the production of social media content for publication, in line with strategic communication plans and activities; Assists on a regular basis in the coordination of the publication of social media content with several stakeholders; Supports UN communications campaigns and assists in developing best practices in order to reinforce their dissemination and key messages; Monitors feedback and reaction on the social media accounts; Uses appropriate analysis tools in order to measure participation and adapts accordingly social media plans; Assists colleagues of the Information Centre in charge of the management of the website; Assists, supports and coordinates the production and publishing of the web content and visuals for UNIC’s activities. • Produces a wide range of outreach products; and develops data collection mechanisms to ensure the needs of audience and end-users of UNIC outreach are met. • Supports the work of the Director and the Deputy Director. • Performs other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism: Familiarity with key parts of the Washington policy-making community such as the U.S. executive branch, the U.S. Congress, as well as civil society, the private sector, media and academia. Knowledge of policies, processes and procedures related to the communication, production and dissemination of public information. Ability to research and gather information from a variety of sources. 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 a full range of perspectives and ensuring opportunities for broad participation 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 interests and needs; 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

A high school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of experience in public information, communications, international relations or related area field is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience working with digital communication tools, including websites, social media platforms and/or web analytics tools is required. Experience working with the UN key counterparts in Washington, D.C., such as Government officials, experts in NGOs, the academia, private sector, and/or media organizations is desirable. Experience providing support to outreach and advocacy meetings involving senior officials is desirable. Experience working 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 official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. 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.

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.