Jordan: Public Information Officer P-4 /// OCHA/G/131/2015

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This position is located in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Amman, Jordan. The Public Information Officer reports to Head of Office.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

1. Manages reporting and analysis, by establishing and maintaining reporting system within the country; oversees drafting and distribution of regular reports on the humanitarian situation; ensures flow of information and analysis of developments in the country/region, including tracking trends and sharing reports with HQ, and key partners.
2. Takes the lead in strategy, planning, development and implementation of large, complex communications campaigns (e.g. regional public information programmes) and joint communications strategies in humanitarian contexts, leading common media and communications efforts, including common messaging and chairing a humanitarian communications group. Identifies sources and seeks funding and other assistance for major campaigns.
3. Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of public affairs issues, methods, and approaches; on key media developments and appropriate approaches for media engagement to raise awareness of humanitarian needs and advocate timely and coordinated response; anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems.
4. Develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of humanitarian advocacy objectives.
5. Prepares or oversees preparation of a diverse range of information communications products in support of priority humanitarian initiatives. Drafts complex material for newsletters, reports and edits drafts prepared by junior officers. Evaluates results and impact of communications activities; reports on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN and the broader humanitarian community.
6. Builds information networks; plans and oversees maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on humanitarian issues and joint activities of the humanitarian community; plans and develops strategic outreach activities. Manages publications programme; produces materials for print/electronic/voice/visual and social media outreach.
7. Leads day-to-day regional communications operations to include participating in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the unit, interpreting and disseminating policy, providing procedural advice, improving reporting systems, handling operational and administrative queries, preparing budget submissions, establishing and/or coordinating training programmes and monitoring and evaluating results. May coordinate and direct a team of public information staff and/or mentor and supervise the work of junior officers on specific projects.

COMPETENCIES

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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.

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 calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

EXPERIENCE: A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required. Experience in humanitarian emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is required. Experience with crisis communications is required.

LANGUAGE: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Knowledge of Arabic is desirable.

How to apply:The position is intended to fill functions of short-term duration. This temporary position is offered until 31/12/2015.All posts are subject to availability of funds.

All applicants are requested to submit a completed personal history profile (PHP) to OCHA CRD Staffing: ochacrdstaffing@un.org with a copy to Meseret Degu: degum@un.org and to: ochavacancies@un.org . Please indicate this reference: OCHA/G/131/2015 in the subject of your e-mail.

Documents should be saved as pdf file, with the title formatted as follows: Doc-t type _Given Name FAMILY NAME.pdf. For example: PHP_Joe GREY.pdf.

Note that applications to United Nations Secretariat positions can be generated in the new Inspira recruitment system. We encourage you to create an electronic personal history profile and to apply to these and other positions for which you are interested and qualified at http://inspira.un.org

Note that applicants’ eligibility cannot be fully assessed if the personal history profile is not properly completed. Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. Potential candidates under serious consideration will be contacted by the hiring manager directly. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her; in this context, all staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers In accordance with established rules and procedures.

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