COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Information Integrity Unit of the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) in the Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DPET) of the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The incumbent reports to the Team Leader of the Information Integrity Unit, with an additional reporting line to the Chief of DPO’s Strategic Communications Section. The Information Integrity Unit supports UN peacekeeping operations in addressing misinformation, disinformation, hate speech and other harmful information, and works in close cooperation with the Strategic Communications Section. The role of the Communications Officer specializing in Information Integrity includes developing and implementing communications strategies and digital campaigns in relation to information integrity in peacekeeping; advising on prevention, mitigation and response strategies, contributing to crisis communications, strategic planning, and the development of peacekeeping guidance and training materials to strengthen information integrity and address risks. The Communications officer will also contribute, as necessary, to the team’s work in monitoring and analysing information threats across the online and offline environments, and the development of relevant partnerships. Responsibilities• Develop and implement communications strategies that raise awareness, drive engagement, build support and have measurable impact with target audiences. • Draft compelling narratives and messaging on the work of the UN that engage target audiences across different channels and platforms. • Draft and produce communications products, such as press releases, press statements, web stories, reports, and infographics. • Create content, conduct interviews and present news and programming for UN and/or community radio channels and podcasts. • Monitor, analyze and report on communications approaches, activities and strategies to assess their performance and effectiveness. • Develop strategic communications partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to reach target audiences and maximize impact. • Create and update policy, guidance and/or training related to strategic communications, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders. • Keep abreast of the latest trends in communications and maintain expertise in relevant and emerging technologies. • Maintain confidentiality, integrity, and discreet handling of sensitive information in compliance with the UN data privacy, security requirements, and standards. • Develop and implement communication and/or advocacy strategies to promote and strengthen information integrity, including through monitoring, analysing, responding to misinformation, disinformation, malinformation, hate speech, and threats across the online and offline environment, and the development of relevant partnerships with various actors. • Develop and contribute to risk assessment approaches to support efforts to strengthen information integrity. • Provide advice and develop guidance materials for internal stakeholders to strengthen information integrity, through immediate and long-term actions tailored to the specific context and/or mandate of the entity. • Contribute to crisis communications and strategic planning efforts to prepare for and respond to potential information risks. • Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders from government, civil society, academia, and the private sector to form coalitions and advocate for information integrity. • Conduct fact-checking and research using open-source collection and analysis techniques. • Plan, develop and execute research methodologies - quantitative and qualitative – to monitor, collect, analyse, and report on risks to information integrity across various online and/or offline information sources. • Identify and catalogue incidents and patterns of misinformation, disinformation, malinformation, hate speech, and threats. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Critical thinking skills; knowledge of strategic communications principles and practices; knowledge of media monitoring tools; ability to draft and tailor clear messages for diverse audiences; skills in developing creative content; public speaking and presentation skills; knowledge of digital design. 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. 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. Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with 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 communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications or other relevant areas is required. Knowledge of risks to information integrity - misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and threats in fragile, post conflict, and crisis environments - is required. Ability to develop and implement communications strategies is required. Knowledge of current and emerging digital media platforms, their principles and technologies, is required. Knowledge of fact-checking and open-source collection techniques is desirable. Skills in policy development in international or multilateral organizational setting is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required (both oral and written); and fluency of French is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice• This position is temporarily available until 31 March 2026. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • The position advertised is funded through Extra-budgetary funds. • 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. • 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. • 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 United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. • 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. 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.