Org. Setting and Reporting
The position is located in the Strategic Communications Branch (SCB) of the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in New York. The Strategic Communications Branch supports OCHA HQ and field operations in public outreach on humanitarian action. It provides the strategic direction of OCHA’s public advocacy and communications efforts through its three specialized sections in media relations, reporting and visual information and public advocacy and campaigns. The incumbent reports to the Head of the Reporting Unit.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer is responsible for the following:
• Ensures implementation of information programs to publicize priority issues and/or major events, to include drafting information strategies, coordinating efforts, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analyzing the outcome.
• Monitors and analyzes current humanitarian events identifies issues and trends, and supports OCHA corporate publications as needed (Annual Report, “OCHA in 2015”, etc.)
• Undertakes activities to promote official guidance on information products, including development of an outreach plan, disseminating materials and undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of products.
• Produces, evaluates or oversees production of a specific type or types of corporate communications products, such as Situation Reports, Humanitarian Bulletins, etc, to include proposing topics, undertaking research, determining appropriate medium and target audience, preparing production plans, writing drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, editing copy, and coordinating design approval, printing procedures and distribution.
• Provides surge support to field offices or new emergency situations.
• Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books.
• Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies.
• Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc.
• Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies.
• Provides guidance to, and may supervise, more junior staff.
• Performs other duties supporting corporate communications, as required.
**
Education**
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required. Reporting experience in the context of humanitarian emergencies is required. Experience in communications in emergency situations (natural disasters, complex emergencies) in the field is required. Experience in the UN Common System or other international organisations is desirable. International experience in communications is desirable. Journalism experience is desirable. Emergency surge response in communications 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 French is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
EmoticonEmoticon