UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
Org. Setting and Reporting
These positions are located in the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD), in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.
This position-specific job opening is being published for the positions of Assistant Public Information Officers / Reporting in Kyiv, Ukraine (the duty station may be subject to change, as the operational situation in the country evolves). Under the overall supervision of the Deputy Head of Office, OCHA Ukraine, the incumbents report to the Public Information Officer / Head of Unit.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Assistant Public Information Officer / Reporting may be responsible for the following duties:
• Tracks, researches and analyzes information on humanitarian situation in the country; gathers information from diverse sources and helps in drafting reports and analysis of developments in the region.
• Drafts/compiles a specific type or types (e.g. print, broadcast, reports etc.), of information products for target audiences, to include human interest stories, media packets and/or reports, brochures, briefings, video clips, newsletters, websites, etc.
• Organizes the clearance, production and distribution of information material, within OCHA and externally; takes and conducts photo and graphic research.
• Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation, media and other sources, including humanitarian assessments and reports, initials draft of articles, analysis, advocacy pieces and reports for inclusion in OCHA’s information products or channels.
• In consultation with others, identifies and proposes information opportunities, activities and approaches, including for social and traditional media, taking into account the situation/topic and target audience.
• Identifies key contacts/constituencies and opportunities for strategic partnerships to facilitate communication and/or reporting efforts and maintains working relationships with the same, particularly with implementing partners of the Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund and/or members of the reporting system within the country .
• Organizes or participates in the organization of conferences, seminar, press briefings, interviews, etc.; prepares briefing materials for senior officials prior to their participation in such events.
• Deploys on missions within Ukraine to support communications/reporting efforts in context of deterioration of humanitarian situation and/or to gather content (stories, photos, videos) of humanitarian situation and activities.
• Responds to a variety of inquires and information requests internally and externally; prepares related correspondence.
• Performs other duties as required.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to plan, execute and monitor public communication campaigns, e.g. campaign management, market research, message targeting, impact evaluation. Sound knowledge of Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere) software, or similar packages. Proven report writing skills. Ability to research and analyze issues and topics related to current events. Ability to draft and compile a variety of written communication products in a clear, concise style. Ability to interact with the public to build and maintain effective business connections. 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
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 degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
– A minimum of one (1) year of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required.
– Experience with social media platforms is desirable.
– Experience in photography, photo and/or video editing is desirable.
– Relevant experience in a public information context within the UN Common System or other comparable international organization is desirable.
Languages
French and English are the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this position advertised, fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Fluency in Ukrainian and Russian is required.
Assessment
The evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
These positions are funded for a finite period of one (1) year. Extension of the appointments is subject to extension of the mandate and the availability of the funds. The contracts will be administered by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on behalf of OCHA.
Appointment against these posts is on a local basis. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country, where these positions are located (limited to Ukrainian nationals).
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-general and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
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. An impeccable record for integrity and professional ethical standards is essential.
Please note that the duty station within Ukraine may be subject to change depending on the evolving operational situation in-country.
United Nations Considerations
According 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.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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 Fee
THE 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.