Grade: NOA
Vacancy no.: DC/COLOMBO/NO/2024/02
Publication date: 31 July 2024
Application deadline (midnight Bangkok time): 14 August 2024
Job ID: 12226
Department: RO-Asia and the Pacific
Organization Unit: CO-Colombo
Location: Colombo
Contract type: Fixed Term
Contract duration: One year
Under article 4.2, paragraph (e) of the Staff Regulations, the filling of vacancies in technical cooperation projects does not fall under Annex I of the Staff Regulations and is made by direct selection by the Director-General.
In order to support the best informed process in the filling of the above-mentioned vacancy by direct selection, the ILO invites interested candidates to submit their application online by the above date.
The following are eligible to apply:
- ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the Staff Regulations.
- External candidates*
*The recruitment process for National Officer positions is subject to specific local recruitment and eligibility criteria.
The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.
Technical cooperation appointments are not expected to lead to a career in the ILO and they do not carry any expectation of renewal or conversion to any other type of appointment in the Organization. A one-year fixed-term contract will be given. Extensions of technical cooperation contracts are subject to various elements including the following: availability of funds, continuing need of the functions and satisfactory conduct and performance.
*Conditions of employment for external candidates: In conformity with existing ILO practice, the appointment of an external candidate will normally be made at the first step of this grade.
Introduction
Sri Lanka faces a number of serious and persisting risks that are very likely to severely undermine economic recovery, and result in heightened social tension and conflicts, unresolved causes of armed conflict and heightened by the ongoing economic crises, creating a substantial risk to its stability and potentially contributing to the reigniting of residual issues of conflict.
Key drivers of conflict identified include the lack of institutional dialogue and dispute resolution systems within the public sector, weak institutional social dialogue mechanisms in the private sector, multidimensional poverty, low female labour force participation, low youth employment rates and structural exclusion of marginalized communities from the formal economy and social protection mechanisms. Each of these challenges by themselves poses a serious risk to economic recovery, peace, social cohesion, and non-recurrence of violence in Sri Lanka. The combined risk to peace, social cohesion and economic recovery is therefore substantial. If these challenges remain unaddressed, there is a strong likelihood of social conflict and violence sparked by frustration and anger over the persisting exclusion of the most vulnerable from economic opportunity and support systems. By prioritizing economic inclusion, Sri Lanka can strengthen its resilience and ensure a more equitable, peaceful, and stable society.
The project will focus on enhancing the effectiveness and inclusivity of existing dialogue mechanisms for the private sector, and, by establishing and making more inclusive dialogue and dispute resolution mechanisms for the public sector. Policy and decision-making dialogue and recovery initiatives at the national level will be informed by evidence, generated on the economic and social priorities of the most marginalized communities, including those in the informal economy, women and young people with intersectional vulnerabilities and will contribute to a more peaceful, inclusive, and just response to the effects of Sri Lankaโs economic crisis, through inclusive social dialogue at national and local levels.
This is a UN Joint Project, and ILO will be the lead Agency, partnering with UNFPA & UNESCO.
Reporting lines
The Communication and Public Information Officer will work under the supervision of the National Project Coordinator.
Main duties and responsibilities
1. Serve as the focal point to produce all material / media packages in appropriate formats related to the project as needed.
2. Collect information, identify and document relevant to the Project as inputs for production and dissemination of communication materials.
3. Archive newspaper, social media, magazine articles and other media products published by a third party.
4. Select and abstract information materials including photographs, sound, and or video clips related to the project and ILO operations to be utilized as raw materials for the production.
5. Facilitate the publishing of materials and other documents as and when required under the guidance of the supervisor.
6. Respond to requests for information / production and general inquiries on the project and other relevant activities of ILO.
7. Catalogue, abstract and index material in various formats in accordance with Office agreed standards.
8. Research and develop materials for specific information topics and outputs to suit local demands. Collect and compile information for dissemination, including through field visits and engagement with the project stakeholders.
9. Assist in the organization of events, press conferences and meetings.
10. Make presentations to groups on the activities of the Project, brief visitors, and respond to standard inquiries from the public.
11. Liaise with translators and others as needed.
12. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or the Director.
Required qualifications
Education
First-level university degree in communications, journalism or public administration.
Experience
At least two years of professional experience in communication and media relations at the national level in the relevant area of the ILO or UN mandate will be an advantage.
Languages
Excellent command of English, Sinhalese, and Tamil languages (spoken and written for all languages).
Competencies
- Good knowledge of communication and/or information management principles and concepts.
- Knowledge of multimedia to develop a range of communication and information products.
- Knowledge of social media platforms.
- Knowledge of the working practices of the national media.
- Knowledge of research methodologies and resources.
- Knowledge of methods and techniques for designing and assessing quality and efficiency of process execution.
- Good knowledge of protocol.
- Good knowledge of PC software (including word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software) such as Microsoft Office.
In addition to the ILO core competencies [Integrity and transparency, Sensitivity to diversity, Orientation to learning and knowledge sharing, Client orientation, Communication, Orientation to change, Takes responsibility for performance, Quality orientation, Collaboration], this position requires:
- Ability to interpret and work within applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
- Ability to identify and analyse information needs and classify them according to ILO standards.
- Research and analytical skills.
- Drafting and web writing/editing skills.
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders.
- Attention to detail and skills in design, layout, formatting and editing documents.
- Ability to foster effective two-way communication and understanding and to manage and impart information to a varied audience.
- Ability to adapt quickly to new software and systems including for updating websites, desktop publishing, graphic design and producing communication and information products.
- Ability to manage competing priorities.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
Recruitment process
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.
Fraud warning
The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.