Public Information Officer, P-4 BURUNDI

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:	09 Jul 2011
DATE OF ISSUANCE:	09 Jun 2011
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:	United Nations Integrated Office in Burundi
DUTY STATION:	Bujumbura
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:	11-PUB-BINUB-425300-R-BUJUMBURA

Remuneration Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. More Info

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Responsibilities Within limits of delegated authority, the Public Information Officer and Head of the Integrated Media and Communications Unit may be responsible for the following duties: Take the lead in strategic planning, development and implementation of large, complex communications campaigns (e.g. public information programmes for a region, broad-reaching subject specific issues, etc.); Coordinate and manage the work with other components of the mission and other UN agencies to develop ways to implement information campaigns; Provide advice and expertise to senior mission staff, senior UNCT representatives and other public information staff on a range of public affairs, media relations and internal and external communications issues, methods, and approaches; Anticipate, mitigate and resolve communications/public relations issues/problems; Develop strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximise impact of promotional objectives; Serve as a spokesperson/principal liaison to media organisations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organisations, educational organisations, international organisations, etc. Oversee preparation of a diverse range of information communications products in support of major campaign initiatives; Oversee the drafting of written communications in both English and French prepared by junior staff; Evaluate results and impact of communications activities; Analyse and report on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the mission; Represent the mission in meetings and conferences; Fulfil speaking engagements and make presentations to groups on mission activities and advocate issues of concern; Conceptualise, plan and Organise effective media coverage and arrange for media contacts, briefings, interviews; Organise seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events in support of the mission’s mandate; Build networks of key influencers and opinion leaders; Plan and develop effective outreach activities; Manage publications programme; Produce materials for print/electronic/voice/visual media; Manage the day-to-day operation of the integrated unit to include 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; Coordinate and direct a team of public information staff and/or mentor and supervise the work of junior officers on specific projects. Conceptualise, plan and lead integration of all public information activities by the UN system in Burundi, including effective business planning to allow the Unit to be self-financing within one year.

Competencies Professionalism - Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations; State-of-the-art knowledge in the field of communications and public information, including knowledge on how to make such an operation self-financing over time; ability to address a range of issues related to UN information requirements, including taking the lead on major public information campaigns; substantial and diverse experience in all facets of communications and public information, and proven ability to conceptualise, design and implement major campaigns; in-depth knowledge of political trends, public attitudes, local conditions and developments, and ability to assess effectively, the climate for successfully achieving agreed objectives; in-depth understanding of the UN system, organization and interrelationships; strong communications research and analytical skills, and ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources; seasoned ability to develop communications products for global audiences; ability to copy edit; highly developed communication (spoken, written, public speaking and presentational) skills, including ability to present sensitive issues/positions in both English and French; demonstrated ability in pro-active media relations; commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of peace operations. Planning and Organising - Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently. Technological Awareness - Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology. 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. 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. Leadership - Strong managerial/leadership skills; demonstrated flexibility in leadership by performing and /or overseeing the analysis of complex human resources, financial or administrative management policy and programme issues; proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling environment, including the ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate staff and design training/skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge/skills. Judgment/Decision-making - Mature judgment and initiative; imagination, resourcefulness, energy; proven ability to provide strategic direction and ensure an effective work structure to maximise productivity and achieve goals.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Advanced university degree (master's degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, public relations, business administration or other related fields. A first level university degree with a relevant combination of academic qualifications and experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience At least 7 years of progressively responsible professional experience in journalism, communications or public relations, including experience at the international level.

Languages Fluency in spoken and written English and French is required. Knowledge of a third UN language or the local language is desirable.

Other Skills

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, TRAINING OR ANY OTHER FEES). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON BANK ACCOUNTS. PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

How to apply All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2006/3 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reports to the relevant HRO/PO via fax. E-mail: staffing@un.org, Fax: 1-212-963-2800 Please see the Frequently Asked Questions, if you encounter problems when applying.