Communications Officer

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations' Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Violence against Children is a global independent advocate to promote the prevention and elimination of all forms of violence against children. The core responsibility of the SRSG is to advance implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Study on Violence against Children (2006), building upon health and child protection initiatives and developments, and promoting the protection of children from violence as a human rights imperative. This position is located in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children (OSRSG-VAC) in New York. The incumbent will report to the Special Representative through the Chief of Staff of OSRSG-VAC. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: • Design, in close cooperation with the Chief of Staff for the SRSG's approval, of the overall communication, advocacy and outreach strategy for the Office, and supports its implementation, including through coordinating with all focal points in the OSRSG -VAC. • Manages the communications components of campaigns and advocacy efforts of the Office. Takes the lead in planning, development and implementation of large, complex communications and advocacy campaigns (e.g. global advocacy and communication initiatives, public information programmes for a region, broad-reaching subject specific issues, etc.); where appropriate, works with different UN departments, funds and agencies to develop ways to implement system-wide campaigns and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products. • Prepares or oversees a diverse range of information and communications products in support of major campaign initiatives including through social media including press releases, newsletters, periodicals, reports and publications and social media. Builds information networks; plans and oversees maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on OSRSGVAC; plans and develops outreach activities. • Collaborates with the Chief of Staff in the resource mobilization to ensure coherence of messaging and approaches, seeks funding and other assistance for major campaigns. Contributes to overall Office's planning and carries out the work plan under his/her responsibility, determining priorities, and proposing allocation of resources for the completion of outputs and their timely delivery; ensures that the outputs produced by the Communications Team meet high-quality standards and support relevant OSRSG-VAC mandate. • Fosters teamwork and communication among staff and across organizational boundaries. Participates in coordination with all relevant staff the finalization of key outreach documentation include results reporting tools monitoring and evaluating results. • Oversees OSRSG-VACs publications programme and ensure quality multilingual materials including the website and its maintenance. • Represents OSRSG VAC in UN communication networks; fulfils speaking engagements and makes presentations to groups on OSRSG VAC activities and advocates issues of concern; organizes media coverage and arranges for media contacts, briefings, and interviews; organizes seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization. • Serves as a spokesperson when required and in close cooperation and supervision of the SRSG and the Chief of Staff to media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, and international organizations, as required. • Evaluates results and impact of communications and advocacy activities; reports on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN, and OSRSG VAC in particular. • Provides advice and expertise to managers and officers across OSRSG VAC on a range of communication and advocacy issues, methods, and approaches; anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provides insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Supports the OSRSG-VAC on information technology including ensuring collection, maintenance and classification of audio visual materials including photo gallery in full compliance with OSRSG -VAC's safeguarding policy. CompetenciesProfessionalism: 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. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. 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 the audience. 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, communication, advocacy campaigns, journalism, or related area is required. Experience in social media is required. Experience in advocacy campaigns in the United Nations or a similar international organization is desirable Experience managing the communication elements of major international events/conferences is desirable. Experience in children's right is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by a competency-based interview. Special Notice• This position is temporarily available until 31 March 2025. 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 for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening 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 examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as \"retirement.\" Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. The conditions of service are governed by the United Nations Staff Rules and Regulations. This is a temporary appointment for an initial xxxx months and may be subject to extension. Applications from women and nationalities from developing and least developing countries are particularly encouraged . ITC champions workforce diversity, inclusion, gender equality and gender parity and considers all qualified persons - of all genders - equally, including those with disabilities, without discrimination or prejudice of any kind. ITC also offers attractive flexible work arrangements to help promote a healthy work/life balance and to allow all staff members to express and develop their talents fully. Given the nature of the temporary opportunity, priority consideration may be given to candidates already located at the duty station. Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. ITC Internal staff on fixed-term, continuing or permanent appointment, if selected, may be entitled to Special Post Allowance as per Staff Rule 3.10. For information on salary and entitlements, please consult the International Civil Service Commission website: http://icsc.un.org United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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 FeeTHE 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.