Job Description
Org. Setting and Reporting This position is located in the Strategic Communications Section (SCS) - Office of the Director for Coordination and Shared Services in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations (DPPA-DPO). The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Strategic Communications Section. The Strategic Communications Sections for the Department of Peace Operations is a dedicated and specialized capacity that provides media relations, departmental publicity, external relations, corporate messaging/internal communications and provides technical advice and operational support to public information components in field missions. The Department of Peace Operations (DPO) serves as a center of excellence for peace operations, responsible for preventing, responding to and managing conflict and sustaining peace in countries where peace operations under its purview are deployed, and provides support to other entities on peace and security issues. The Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) focuses primarily on five action areas in international peace and security, ensuring sound analysis and early warning, preventing conflict and engaging in peacemaking, managing political crises and violent conflicts, sustaining peace, and enhancing partnerships. The Department's mandate is to prevent and resolve conflict through inclusive political solutions. Responsibilities The Public Information Officer may be responsible for the following duties: · Ensures implementation of information programs to publicize priority issues and/or major events, to include drafting information strategies, coordinating efforts, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analyzing the outcome. · Monitors and analyzes current events, public opinion and press, identifies issues and trends, and advises management on appropriate action/responses. · Prepares the development of digital communications campaigns, products and content across multiple digital platforms, in coordination with the digital team and supervisor, ensuring accurate and consistent messaging and branding and alignment with the Departmental communications strategies. · Undertakes activities to promote media coverage (e.g. press conferences, interviews, press seminars and other special activities) of priority issues and/or major events, to include development of a media strategy and action plan, initiating pro-active media outreach efforts, proposing and arranging press conferences/media coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage. · Produces or oversees production of a specific type or types (e.g. digital, print, broadcast, etc.) of information communications products (e.g. social media posts, multimedia, press releases, feature articles, speeches, booklets, brochures, backgrounders, audio-visual materials, radio spot program, etc.), to include proposing topics, undertaking research, determining appropriate medium and target audience, preparing production plans, writing drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, editing copy, and coordinating design approval, printing procedures and distribution. · Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books. · Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies. · Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc. · Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies. · Deputizes for the Head of Digital as necessary. Provides guidance to, and may supervise, more junior staff. · 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. Competencies •PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. campaign management, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities and risks in an international environment. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences