COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to delivery more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an independent UN Resident Coordinator – the Representative of the UN Secretary-General and the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System at the country level – support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDGs. With the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at its core, and in response to the General Assembly resolution 71/243 on the quadrennial comprehensive policy review of operational activities for development of the United Nations system, the UN Secretary General’s report (December 2017) “Repositioning the United Nations development system to deliver on the 2030 Agenda: our promise for dignity, prosperity and peace on a healthy planet” puts forward a comprehensive proposal on further improvements to the resident coordinator system to ensure more coherent, accountable and effective support for the 2030 Agenda. This was further reinforced by General Assembly resolution 72/729 of 1 June 2018, which gave the Secretary-General the mandate to implement the repositioning. A reinvigorated resident coordinator (RC) system is at the centre of a repositioned United Nations development system. While the system has been instrumental in driving coherence on the ground over the past four decades, it is now insufficiently robust to respond to the needs of the 2030 Agenda. The report stresses that resident coordinator offices will need to be adequately staffed to ensure sufficient substantive capacities to lead United Nations country teams. The core capacity will include expertise in coordination and strategic planning, economics, tailored policy support, results monitoring and evaluation, and strategic partnerships, plus a robust standing communications capacity within United Nations country teams. This position is part of this next generation of resident coordinator offices, with the skillset and competencies required to deliver on the 2030 Agenda. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and reports to the Head of RC Office. The position also maintains a close working relationship with the United Nations Department of Global Communications (DGC), which sets the communications and advocacy priorities of the United Nations around the world and includes a second reporting line to DGC. ResponsibilitiesThe Communications Officer is responsible for conducting a wide range of tasks. These may include developing, implementing and monitoring communications strategies, crisis communications, media relations and monitoring, digital campaigns and analytics, internal communications, outreach, and advocacy. Within delegated authority, the incumbent will perform the following duties: 1. Contribute to the development and implementation of communications strategies that raise awareness, drive engagement, build support and have measurable impact with target audiences. 2. Plan and coordinate press conferences, briefings, and media events. 3. Draft and produce communications products, such as press releases, press statements, web stories, reports, and infographics. 4. Participate in the creation of compelling communications campaigns that engage and have measurable impact with target audiences through appropriate channels and platforms. 5. Participate in the development and coordination of strategic communications partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to reach target audiences and maximize impact. 6. Create content, conduct interviews and present news and programming for UN channels and podcasts. 7. Contribute to the creation and updating of policy guidance and/or training related to strategic communications, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders. 8. Maintain confidentiality, integrity, and discreet handling of sensitive information in compliance with the UN data privacy, security requirements, and standards. 9. Monitor, analyse and report on communications approaches, activities and strategies to assess their performance and effectiveness. 10. Collect and analyse data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables, and report using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting. 11. Provide insights and analysis based on the monitoring of traditional, social, and digital media, including on risks to information integrity such as trends in mis and disinformation. 12. Contribute to the coordination of the crisis communications response with the communications stakeholders at the local, regional, and global levels, including the crisis communications cell and UN Communications Group in country. 13. Contribute to the drafting of key messages that reflect relevant mandates of the UN system. 14. Participate in the creation and management of compelling and relevant content for websites, create and moderate engaging and platform-optimized content for social media channels, including live content, tailored for digital platforms to advance digital communications priorities and campaigns work. 15. Participate in the development of approaches to analyse, monitor, and report social media, web, and other digital content to measure results, inform content creation, and adjust ongoing initiatives. 16. Contribute to the drafting of clear, concise business intelligence and insights reports on communications outcomes and trends for key stakeholders, including on reputational risks and crisis communications. 17. Contribute to identifying trends and patterns in media engagement and content performance through strategic analytics. 18. Contribute to the identification and cataloguing of incidents and patterns of misinformation, disinformation, mal-information, hate speech, and threats. 19. Prepare communications plans for keeping staff informed and engaged in organization objectives and initiatives, including change management, business continuity processes and during times of crisis. 20. Participate in organizing regular meetings and events, in cooperation with internal and system wide stakeholders, such as management and subject matter experts, to keep staff informed and engaged with internal initiatives; moderate and present as required. 21. Participate in the development and implementation of media relations strategies to shape public perceptions of the UN, its work and impact. 22. Contribute to the coordination and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to develop and deliver joint outreach and advocacy activities to advance UN priorities. 23. Support the development of creative campaign concepts, content, and materials, including digital and print assets, social media posts, email communications, and multimedia content. 24. Promote campaigns, events and collaboration with stakeholders by organizing media engagement and coverage. 25. Monitor and evaluate campaign performance, providing regular reports and insights to inform future strategies and initiatives. 26. Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. 27.Ensures that requirements, background information used for data analysis are documented. 28. Performs other relevant duties as assigned. Competencies• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. Ability to conduct data collection using various methods, analyze and interpret it 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. • PLANNING AND 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. • 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. • 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications or related field, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public information, journalism, advocacy, outreach or a related area is required. Experience in developing communications, advocacy or public outreach initiatives is required. Experience in producing high-quality communication outputs for diverse audiences, using traditional and social media, is required. Experience in multi-stakeholder coordination is desirable. Experience in the field of international development or an international organization is desirable. Experience in graphic design or video production is desirable. Experience of one (1) year or more in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable. Note: \"Fluency equals a rating of \"fluent\" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and \"Knowledge of' equals a rating of \"confident in two of the four area. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone/teleconference or face-to-face. Special Special NoticeThis is a Temporary Job Opening. Appointment against this position is available for a duration of Three Hundred and Sixty-Four (364) Days, a limited duration and does not carry any expectancy, legal or otherwise, of renewal. Extension of appointment is subject to legislative body funding availability. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. National Professional Officers are nationals of the country in which they are serving, and their functions must have a national context, i.e. functions that require national experience or knowledge of the national language, culture, institutions, and systems. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA ONLY. National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Saudi Arabian nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to traveling and relocating to Saudi Arabia in the event of an employment offer. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Internal Applicants: When completing the form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira \"Need Help?\" link. 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.