Grade: P4
Vacancy no.: RAPS/4/2023/AM/01
Publication date: 30 August 2023
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time): 30 September 2023
Job ID: 11155
Department: RO-Latin America and the Caribbean
Organization Unit: RO-Latin America and the Caribbean
Location: Lima
Contract type: Fixed Term
The following are eligible to apply:
- ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations.
- External candidates.
Staff members with at least five years of continuous service with the Office are encouraged to apply.
Applications from candidates who have already separated from ILO service upon retirement or early retirement, will not be considered.
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.
The ILO welcomes applicants with experience in working within ILO constituents (governments, employersโ and business membership organizations, and workersโ organizations).
Applicants from non- or under-represented member States, or from those member States which staffing forecasts indicate will become non- or under-represented in the near future would be particularly welcome. A list of these countries can be found here: ILO Jobs: Non- and under-represented Member States
In addition to the interviews and tests that any candidate may be required to take, successful completion of the ILO Assessment Centre is required for all external candidates and any internal candidate applying to a higher category.
Notwithstanding the general considerations set out in the ILO Staff Regulations, this vacancy announcement is the only authoritative document pertaining to the qualifications required for this position. The minimum required qualifications were determined in view of the specific duties and responsibilities of this position.
The specific language requirements for this position are detailed hereunder. However, candidates applying for the professional category vacancies who have not already successfully completed their probationary period within the ILO and whose mother tongue is not one of the working languages of the Office (English, French and Spanish), shall be required to possess a fully satisfactory working knowledge of at least one of the ILO working languages. If appointed they may be required to acquire a knowledge of a second working language of the Office during their initial years of service.
Introduction
The position is located in the ILO Regional Office for Latin America & the Caribbean (RO-LAC) in Lima, Peru. RO- LAC has overall political and management responsibility for the operations of the ILO's network of country offices, Decent Work Technical Support Teams (DWTs) and other representations in the LAC region, providing strategic guidance and support for the promotion of ILO principles and policies.
The Regional Communication and Public Information Officer will be accountable for managing the development, implementation, coordination and monitoring of a regional communication strategy and associated products and activities in order to support and promote ILOโs core values, mission, priorities and programmes in LAC to target audiences. The incumbent is also responsible for maintaining relations with other United Nations agencies and other partners and coordinating attendance at external meetings to which the ILO is invited. The incumbent undertakes related responsibilities regarding major regional meetings.
Under the overall guidance of the Regional Director, the position will report directly to the Deputy Regional Director. The position will receive technical guidance and advice from the Director of the Communication and Public Information Department (DCOMM) at headquarters.
Specific Duties
1.Develop, implement and monitor the ILO regional communication strategy targeting key ILO audiences, including constituents, the general public, the media, development partners, other UN agencies and ILO staff in the region. Work in close collaboration with DCOMM to strengthen communication channels between ILO headquarters and the region.
2.Drive communication at the regional level by guiding, coordinating and supervising the work of communication officers/focal points in offices and projects in the region.
3.Oversee the establishment, maintenance and use of regional communications databases, libraries and systems, including the photo and video library.
4.Pro-actively identify the need for draft, produce and edit information products such as newsletters, blogs, op-eds, brochures, press releases, social media material, multimedia stories and podcasts for ILO target audiences.
5.Responsible for the production of content and the overall management of the ILO regional website and social media channels. Provide advice and guidance to focal points in the offices and projects in the region on these issues.
6.Draft and edit speeches for regional management as well as briefing documents, and various correspondence, including those required by senior management at headquarters.
7.Organize media coverage and arrange for interviews and briefings. Respond to enquiries from the media or the public, organize seminars and make presentations to a variety of groups on the activities of the Organization.
8.Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communication channels with new opinion leaders, social media operatives, news services, editors, etc. to encourage accurate and favourable reporting of the Organizationโs activities. Develop and maintain media and other contacts lists. Actively seeks to leverage ILO communications for a wider audience and greater impact.
9.Work with technical experts to communicate on regional publications at the regional level and liaise with DCOMM when appropriate for their global promotion.
10.Work with headquarters on the rollout oof global advocacy campaigns at the regional level and identify possible ILO advocates who can support and raise the visibility of the ILO and its issues across the region.
11.Support proactively regional, sub-regional and country level fund-raising activities through effective advocacy strategies and activities.
12.Represent the ILO at the Regional UN Communications Groups and associated sub-groups.
13.Perform other relevant duties as assigned.These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties:
Generic Duties
- Cover the work of a programme or group of programmes, identify public information needs and opportunities, and develop communication/public information strategies.
- Identify the need for, prepare, and produce information such as brochures, press releases, contributions to audio/visual programmes and articles for the media, NGOs and other groups to promote greater understanding and support for the organization.
- Coordinate and ensure the dissemination of publications and promotional materials. Contribute to multi-media and other promotional campaigns and special events.
- Write, edit and revise material for distribution, ensuring conformance to approved information policies and standards as well as professional journalistic style, accuracy and objectivity.
- Provide technical advice to senior officials and/or public information staff in the field on the most effective public information and communication methods and approaches.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communication channels with mass media representatives, news services, editors, etc. to encourage accurate and favorable reporting of the organizationโs activities.
- Organize media coverage and arrange for interviews and briefings. Respond to media enquiries, organize seminars and make presentations to a variety of groups on the activities of the organization.
- Administer the computerized needs of the department, prepare materials for the internet and web-sites, and develop and maintain media and other contacts lists.
- Act as spokesperson for the programme area(s) and the department at public information meetings, conferences and press briefings. Make presentations to various groups on the activities of the organization.
Required qualifications
Education
Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, international relations, liberal arts or other relevant field.
A first-level degree (Bachelor`s degree or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the required experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of and advanced university degree.
Experience
Seven years of professional experience, including at the international level in public information or related fields of work.
Languages
Excellent command of English and Spanish. Working knowledge of French and Portuguese will be an advantage.
Competencies
In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:
Excellent writing skills and presentations skills. Good interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to adapt message to culturally diverse audiences. Excellent analytical skills. Good knowledge of computer applications for information collection, web management and dissemination, and social media. In-depth knowledge of the organisationโs mandate and its programme of activities. Ability to evaluate information needs and to provide appropriate and targeted information accordingly. Knowledge of audio/visual production techniques and methods. Demonstrated ability to develop and oversee a public information/communication programme of activities. Sound political judgement. Creativity. Good negotiating skills. Ability to conduct interviews, especially involving the media. Ability to work under pressure and to meet strict deadlines. Ability to lead a team and to supervise staff; Ability to work on own initiative as well as member of a team. Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and non-discriminatory behaviour and attitudes.
Conditions of employment
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
- The first contract will be issued for a twenty-four month period.
- A successful external candidate will be on probation for the first two years of assignment.
- Any extension of contract beyond the probation period is subject to satisfactory conduct and performance.
For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.
Important Information
Any officials of the General Service category interested in applying to this position are hereby informed that, if selected, they will be offered the salary and allowances applicable to the grade of the position applied for, which may result in substantial changes in their take-home remuneration. In accordance with Article 3.4 of the Staff Regulations, the salary of an official, upon promotion, shall in no case be greater than the maximum salary of the grade to which he or she was promoted. For any questions or clarifications, please contact your HR partner at hrpartner@ilo.org
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.
Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests and a pre-interview competency-based assessment centre) and the interviews will tentatively take place during the 3 to 4 months following the application deadline. Candidates are requested to ensure their availability should they be short listed for further consideration.
Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including assessment centres, technical tests or interviews.
The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse.
To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.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.