COMMUNICATION OFFICER

This position is open to nationals from all Member States.

OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The post is located in the Executive Office, which provides strategic advice, quality control and management support to the Assistant Director General for Social and Human Sciences (ADG/SHS) and ensures the overall coordination of the development, implementation and monitoring of the approved programme and budget of the SHS Sector, as well as the Sector’s communication with other Sectors/Bureaux/Offices at UNESCO, with other agencies of the United Nations System and with external partners.

Under the overall authority of the Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences,under the oversight of the of the Chief of the Executive Office and day to day supervision the Executive Officer the incumbent will lead the planning, development and implementation of SHS external communication activities in order to raise the visibility of the sector with its audiences, on the international agenda, and in the media.

The incumbent works within the frameworks of UNESCO’s Medium-Term Strategy (C/4s), the approved Programme and Budget (C/5) and according to global development plans such as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In particular the incumbent will:

• Devise, design, implement and monitor communications strategies and strategic approaches of the Social and Human Science’s and establish, develop and maintain working relationships with key media organizations and journalists.
• Prepare material for press briefings and interviews, draft press statements and press releases as necessary.
• Manage the production of SHS content to be published on the UNESCO web portal, in cooperation with SHS colleagues, other Sectors and central services as required; ensure quality control and updating of the content on the web in English and French; coordinate the updating of other language versions according to needs; guide SHS colleagues on all web related activities and issues.
• Provide day to day support to the top management platforms and communication strategies.
• Design and develop new media outlets/assets to increase brand visibility and maximize impact of the current platforms (podcasts and networks)
• Upgrade and design new digital brand collateral to increase outreach i.e. brand video, brochures, brand merchandise.
• Keep abreast of trends in the world of information and communication technologies.
• Advise the Sector Management Team and staff as well as Country & Regional Offices, as possible, on options of SHS strategy orientation for communication.
• Manage the publication and communication work of the Social and Human Science Sector including the process of designing and updating website of the Sector.
• Provide input, participate in production of communication materials online and offline,
• Support the Executive Officer to manage the communication staff.

For detailed information, please consult the UNESCO Competency Framework.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in information and communication sciences, and/or journalism or other relevant fields

Work Experience

• Minimum 4 years, of which preferably 2 years acquired at international level in communications, brand management, public information, journalism or related field.
• Proven experience in the development and implementation of communication and media strategies and plans.
• Experience in promoting science communication.
• Proven experience in media relations, writing and publishing articles and press releases.
• Experience in designing, implementing, and coordinating strategies and programmes, including related to capacity-building in the area of Social and Human Sciences.

Skills and competencies

• Proven skills in implementing institutional communication strategy and concept formulation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent command of website management, newsletter publishing and social media management.
• Good knowledge of multimedia and graphics software, digital communication tools, content management systems, MS Office software applications and digital work environments, social media
• Excellent command of information and communication tools as well as collaborative tools such as blogs, wiki or social networks.
• Strong analytical and communication Skills.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, to manage heavy workload and to meet tight deadlines.
• Ability to lead and manage teams and delegate tasks.
• Ability to work in culturally diverse settings.

Languages

• Excellent knowledge (written and spoken) of English and working knowledge (written and spoken) of French.

Application Deadline (Midnight Paris Time) : 12-AUG-2024

For more information, visit careers.unesco.org