Public Information Officer, P-4

Position description

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUSCO), based in Kinshasa. The incumbent leads the Digital Communications team and reports to the Head of the Strategic Communication and Public Information Division within MONUSCO.

Responsibilities

The Communications Officer may be responsible for the following duties:

• Prepares and coordinates the development of communications products and content across the social media platforms of the Mission ensuring accurate and consistent messaging, branding, and alignment with the communications strategy.
  • Oversees the preparation of a diverse range of communication products on social media in support of unit priorities and coordinates with departments, funds and agencies to develop ways to implement campaigns system-wide and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products.
  • Supervise the production of social media products and support in the implementation of the mission priorities and strategies.
  • Supervise and Produce social media stories that tell the impact of the mission on communities (through photos, creative visual assets, quote cards, social videos) and visual content based on material shared by the different sectors.
  • Supervise the Production of creative visuals with key messages of the mission (images, GIFs, social videos, quote cards);
  • Develop and maintain an editorial calendar for the website as part of the overall editorial planning of the mission and identify potential material for further research and publishing.
  • Provide writers with detailed advice on story ideas, treatment and guidelines, prior to coverage.
  • Coordinate the translation of web content.
  • Manages the Mission’s digital and social media platforms, including the mission website, photo, audio and video channels.
• Conceptualizes, manages, implements and evaluates communications strategies and activities:
  • Responsible for updating and executing a digital communications strategy for web and digital media including social media, community outreach and/or radio products with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for the Mission’s work and support for UN Peacekeeping or Special Political mandate and priorities.
  • Reports to Mission leadership, UNHQ on communications activities, developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN; and coordinates and shares public information activities and guidance with other sections of the Public Information Unit and leadership when appropriate.
  • Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of Digital communication issues, methods, and approaches.
  • Identifies and seeks new opportunities for advancing the Mission, anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems.
  • Oversees statistical analysis, monitoring and reporting ofsocial media platforms, comments and web usage and adapts editorial and outreach priorities accordingly.
• Engages with digital media and strengthens partnerships
  • Provides video footage, photographs and digital assets to national and international media; drafts and issues press statements and press releases as necessary; establishes and maintains a cooperative relationship with local and international digital journalists.
  • Fluency in digital communication with strong understanding of social media and keeps abreast of changing developments, trends, and technologies.
  • Manages video interviews and/or tapings with senior Mission officials and facilitates the daily work of digital journalists covering the Mission.
  • Sets up regular system of media guidance and monitoring and develops contact list of digital journalists and media outlets covering all media – TV, social media, web, photo etc. – and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media.
  • Responds in a timely fashion to disinformation that could impact negatively on the public perception of the Mission and/or the Mission’s leadership, etc.
• Develops partnerships and represents the Head or Deputy Head of the Unit in meetings/conferences, speaking engagements:
  • Develops outreach initiatives to raise visibility of the Mission by organizing and/or participating in seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization.
  • In consultation with supervisor, develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of public information objectives.
  • Serves as a principal liaison to digital media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, etc.
  • Represents the Mission in meetings and conferences; fulfils speaking engagements, makes presentations to groups on UN humanitarian activities and advocates for issues of concern.
• Builds communication capacity and team management:
  • Manages the day-to-day operation of the unit including participating in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the unit, interpreting and disseminating policy, providing procedural advice, improving reporting systems, handling operational and administrative queries, preparing budget submissions, establishing and/or coordinating training programmes and monitoring and evaluating results.
  • Provides clear directions that are translated from organizational strategy. Encourages others to pursue development opportunities and creates genuine learning opportunities for them.
  • In close coordination with the Chief, manages and supervises public information and consultants to achieve the outputs and quality assurance of all activities; establishing work plans, required resources, priorities, timelines and performance benchmarks. Monitors progress and takes timely action and/or decisions to ensure objectives are met.
  • Participates in recruitment, supervision and evaluation of staff as appropriate.
• Other related duties that may be assigned.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to conceptualize, design and implement campaigns using high quality social and digital communications products and relevant platforms; Ability to advocate and engage on sensitive public affairs issues and understand opportunities and risks in an international environment; 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, advocacy, engagement, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting; Knowledge of user experience, accessibly and metrics; Ability to use a web content management system; Ability and willingness to apply these skills in innovative ways in conflict and post-conflict settings; 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 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.

Education

• An advanced university degree (master’s or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, communications or related area, including at least five years of experience in producing digital content and two years of experience managing social media platforms for an international organizations is required.
• Demonstrate experience in filming video and editing videos with professional applications is required.
• Proven expertise in online storytelling and demonstrate experience in producing impactful digital content is required.
• Experience managing a digital media team is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position(s) advertised, fluency in French is required; knowledge’of English is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Application instructions

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