SENIOR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located within the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), based in Naqoura, South Lebanon. The Senior Public Information Officer reports to the Deputy Head of Mission/Director of Political and Civil Affairs. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Senior Public Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Conceptualize, design, and execute the overall public information strategy programme and activities for the section; Serve as lead Chief of Strategic Communications and Public Information and Spokesperson for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL); provide technical and policy advice on highly complex public information and communications issues; develop and disseminate best practices. • Use data-driven tools and techniques to monitor and test the efficacy of messaging, making adjustments to be responsive to stakeholders and public opinion. Develop and implement mission crisis communication activities; oversee the Mission's social media presence and lead digital media campaigns to enhance public outreach and engagement activities using a range of digital media platforms, leveraging emerging technologies and trends. • Formulate and update, in consultation with mission leadership, the substantive work programme of the Strategic Communications and public information section of the mission, coordinate with various mission components, and with UN agencies, funds and programmes and partners, as appropriate. • Advise mission leadership, senior staff, and other mission personnel, including in the military, on strategic communication matters. • Ensure regular, timely, and professional communications on all traditional and digital media platforms. Provide pertinent communications advice and input for mission leadership interactions with all key stakeholders, such as non-governmental and civil society organizations. • Develop and implement a regular system of media monitoring and bulletins to meet the needs of the Head of Mission and senior leadership. • Oversee public information outputs to ensure that they meet high-quality standards, in accordance with UN policy objectives and rules and regulations, and are evaluated for their effectiveness. • Maintain liaison and coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces at the Directorate of Orientation. • Oversee the work and outputs of international military information officers based in the UNIFIL area of operations. • Oversee the work and outputs of an Integrated Outreach Unit and a Military Community Outreach Unit. • Give press briefings, background briefings, and interviews to national and international media; draft and/or edit and issue press releases, official statements, and communication materials on behalf of the mission as necessary. • Interact with local, regional, and international media and establish and maintain cooperative relationships. • Consult with and provide UN Headquarters communication entities with regular updates on mission activities. • Maintain regular interaction and consult with public information personnel at UNHQ. • Manage, guide, develop, and train staff under his/her supervision. • Other related duties that may be assigned 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 advise on high profile and sensitive communication challenges. Ability to assess world-wide communication environments, develop communication strategies and manage implementation of public information campaigns with various promotional and publicity techniques. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to present and defend difficult positions to senior officials. 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. • 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. • TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others' ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • JUDGEMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. • LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow; Empowers others to translate vision into results; Is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; Establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; Anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; Drives for change and improvement, does not accept the status quo; Shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field; A first-level university degree with two (02) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in public information, external communications, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required. Experience in overseeing Strategic Communication coordination mechanism/s is required. Experience in media communications and outreach in Middle East region is required. Experience working closely with civilian and uniformed personnel is desirable. Experience working in an inter-State (across international borders) conflict environment is desirable. Experience working in a field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds and programmes, similar international organization or non-governmental organization) is desirable. Experience in managing multidisciplinary team is required. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).