PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER (TJO)

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Media Outreach and Spokesperson’s Office of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Geneva. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Media Outreach and Spokesperson’s Office.

Responsibilities

Under the general supervision of the Chief of the Media Outreach and Spokesperson’s Office, the incumbent:

• Develop and produce high-impact multimedia content for the OHCHR social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and possibly others, to inform and engage external audiences.
• Exercise journalistic and political judgment to make timely editorial decisions on what should be published on OHCHR's social media platforms.
• Plan and initiate strategic and proactive outreach activities through social media campaigns and collaboration with the UN-wide social media presence.
• Actively identify and maintain relations and partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders that contribute to the development and implementation of OHCHR social media content.
• Increase OHCHR's following and engagement on social media platforms and strengthen OHCHR's brand awareness among target audiences.
• Promote in-house social media usage and engagement.
• Monitor and evaluate the results and impact of OHCHR social media content.
• Continuously monitor, analyse, and undertake social listening, identify trends and opportunities to engage on topical human rights issues, and advise management on appropriate action and responses.
• Ensure a principled, data and audience-led approach to social media content creation.
• Report on developments, trends, and attitudes regarding the sentiment of OHCHR and pertinent human rights issues.
• Exercise journalistic and political judgment to make timely editorial decisions on what should go on OHCHR's social media platforms in different languages.
• Contribute to OHCHR communications campaigns, especially for Human Rights Day, through social media initiatives and by incorporating social media elements in OHCHR's communications activities.
• Represent OHCHR in the UN social media communicators' group and liaise with social media focal points in the UN system and beyond.
• Provide guidance to public information officers and human rights officers on the effective use of social media to help achieve human rights objectives of the Office.
• Provide advice to managers and senior officers on the strategic use of social media to strengthen OHCHR's human rights leadership and advocacy role.
• Monitor and analyze current events, public opinion, and press, identify issues and trends, and advise management on appropriate action/responses.
• Provide social media technical expertise, including delivering presentations, training, and capacity building.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major international social media campaigns; Knowledge of social media and communications; Ability to identify issues, analyse them and participate in their resolution; Knowledge of human rights issues; Ability to conduct data collection and independent research and analysis using various methods including Internet sources; Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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.

CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes advantage of new experiences and approaches; takes calculated risks; adapts thinking to uncertain situations.

TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; readily adapts to and applies new technologies.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, international relations, political science, public administration or related field is required.
A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job-Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public information, journalism, public relations, or related area is required.
Experience managing various social media platforms is required.
Experience in human rights at the international level, preferably in the United Nations system or similar international organizations, is desirable.
Experience disseminating news on social media is desirable.
Experience in monitoring, measuring, and analyzing results on social media is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

English: Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking - UN Level II each.

Assessment

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

Special Notice

THIS POSITION IS TEMPORARILY AVAILABLE FOR A MINIMUM PERIOD OF THREE (3) MONTHS - EXTENSION SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS.

• A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade.
• However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, provided they meet all other eligibility factors.
• A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply only according to relevant policies.
• 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 is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
• Subject to the funding source of the position, eligibility 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 or central review body process.
• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible.
• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation must indicate retirement as the reason for separation, and employment must meet both operational and cost-effectiveness requirements.
• The paramount consideration in recruitment and employment is securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity, ensuring no discrimination based on various factors.
• The United Nations is committed to 50/50 gender balance, and female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Pursuant to certain regulations, candidates through the young professionals programme who have not served for at least two years are not eligible.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in employment is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered if they have committed violations of international human rights law, humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, or several other forms of misconduct.

Sexual exploitation is any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability for sexual purposes. Sexual abuse is actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that interferes with work or creates an intimidating environment.

Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered. The UN engages staff from as wide a geographical basis as possible, and places no restrictions on eligibility of men and women. The UN Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Applicants must provide complete accurate information and follow instructions. All external candidates for fixed-term appointments are subject to a probationary period.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, ENTRY, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANKING OR BANK ACCOUNTS.