About the job

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM). The Public Information Officer will be based in Garowe. The incumbent will report to the Senior Public Information Officer and the Chief of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs Group (SCPAG).

Responsibilities

Under the direction of the supervisor and within the limits of delegated authority, the Public Information Officer may be responsible for the following duties:

1. Manages outreach to local media, civil society organisations, Government and National NGOs.

• a) Produces and disseminates information aimed at local media and organizations about the Mission, its aims and activities and supports outreach activities and assists in interactions in local language(s);
• b) Prepares material for press briefings and interviews; drafts press statements and press releases as necessary; establishes and maintains a cooperative relationship with local media;
• c) Drafts and edits material for press releases, key messages, Q&As, talking points, UN newsletters reports and books.
• d) Assists in responding in a timely fashion to disinformation that could negatively impact public perception of the Mission and/or the Mission's leadership, etc.
• e) Monitors and analyses local media and develops contact list of local journalists and media outlets covering all media - print, TV, radio, social media, web, photo etc. - and a successful process of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with the media.

2. Builds communication capacity with national partners and strengthens local partnerships.

• f) Builds capacity and serves as focal point on local capacity building including supporting local media and partners through regular contact and organizing specialized training to address knowledge, awareness and skill gaps.
• g) Develops partnerships with key national constituencies by proactively sharing work plan and content and working closely with national partners to raise visibility and understanding of the Mission's work.
• h) Develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of public information objectives; raises visibility of the Mission by organizing and/or participating in seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization.

3. Prepares or coordinates the development of communications products and content in local language(s).

• i) Prepares or coordinates the preparation of a diverse range of communication products in local languages(s) in support of unit priorities and works closely with departments and partners to develop ways to implement campaigns system-wide and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products.
• j) Writes human interest stories for local and international audiences and produces digital content for the Mission's social media platforms.
• k) Keeps abreast of changing developments, trends and political development in country and serves as advisor to Chief of Public Information on these issues.

4. Implements communications strategies and activities.

• l) Responsible for participating in the development and implementation of a strategy for media relations, publications, 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.
• m) Contributes to 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.
• n) Provides communication support to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of public affairs issues, methods, and approaches.

5. Provides support to internal communications.

• o) Produces reports, newsletters, and other materials of interest to internal audiences.
• p) Ensures Mission internal communication is up to date and accurate.
• q) Other related duties that may be assigned.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM:

• Knowledge of policies, processes and procedures related to communication, production and dissemination of public information.
• Ability to research information from a variety of sources.
• 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.
• Works effectively in collaboration with various contracted and other specialists throughout the Organization.
• 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.

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; share credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

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 years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Somali (both oral and written) is required.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. Candidates for the National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located. When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience and contact information are completed and up-to-date. This information is the basis for the Hiring Manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.

This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile 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.

How to Apply

APPLY HERE