Job Description

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General (OSSG) within the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. The incumbent reports to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. The Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General provides information to the media on the activities of the UN system as a whole - through daily briefings, direct responses to media enquiries, press conferences, background briefings and interviews with the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and other senior officials. The Office provides advice on media relations to the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General and senior Secretariat officials. The Office also keeps the Secretary-General regularly informed of major breaking news stories around the world. EOSG, under the guidance of the Secretary-General (SG), work as a team pursuing in a cohesive and coherent manner, the SG’s vision, priorities and policies for his second mandate in office. It seeks alignment of the United Nations family with the SG’s vision, priorities and policies. It is guided by the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity and of achieving gender and regional balance among staff. ResponsibilitiesUnder the direct supervision of the Spokesperson, the incumbent will be responsible for the following: • Contributes, in collaboration with other staff, to the development of communication products, such as remarks by the Secretary-General including checking them against delivery; transcribes press encounters by the Secretary-General; drafts press release summaries of the Secretary-General’s visits outside headquarters; ensures that all OSSG products are posted on the Spokesperson’s homepage, e.g. statements, video messages, press conferences, readouts of meetings, SG trip records and other outputs by the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and senior UN personnel. • Supports key offices across the Secretariat and with key stakeholders (e.g. Permanent Missions, external partners etc.) with communication needs; serves as a first-line focal point and/or media liaison to facilitate the flow of information and messages on all aspects of UN activities, policies and operations institution-wide in assigned area(s) and on matters relating to the Secretary-General to key internal and external audiences. • Supports the review of relevant documents, reports, press releases, etc. to gather information and keeps abreast of the timing and substance of key meetings, events, speeches, activities, etc.; Supports the preparation of briefs on assigned topics for senior officers; responds orally to a broad range of routine questions and information requests on UN activities from the press, constituents and other parties; as appropriate forwards questions/requests to relevant parties for reply; drafts letters and official memoranda on a range of subjects and drafts notes for daily press briefings as requested by the Spokesperson. On an ad hoc basis, sets up interviews with UN officials for journalists. • Keeps abreast of current news, UN meetings and events, as well as the daily schedules of both the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, as well as the Security Council and other organs, in order to respond to queries from journalists or direct queries to relevant officers; monitors, selects and highlights news stories for the Secretary-General’s newsfeeds. • Serves as the focal point on all issues related to the website of the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. Maintains email lists used by the Office of the Spokesperson. Undertakes ad hoc projects related to IT systems, as requested by the Spokesperson. • Manages the archives of the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General; maintains files on key subjects before the UN and on the activities of the Secretary-General and Deputy Secretary-General. Other responsibilities: • Supervises junior General Service staff in providing general support assistance to the Spokesperson in preparation for daily briefings. When spokespeople are not available, responsible for the continuous functioning of the office. • Coordinates various actions related to the administration of the unit’s human resource activities and supports the Spokesperson and Deputy Spokesperson in administrative tasks (e.g. HR matters, including recruitment, time management, budget.) • Guides and trains on-boarded General Service staff; keeps training materials updated. • Provides back-up to the other support staff in the Office as required. • Performs other related administrative duties, as required (e.g., operational travel programme, monitoring accounts and engagements of individual contractors for services, physical space planning and the identification of office technology needs and maintenance of equipment, software and systems). • Performs other duties as assigned. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of current events and issues in the various areas of the Department. Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures related to the communication, production and dissemination of public information. Ability to interact with the media and other constituents. 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. Able to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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. EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of 10 years of experience in public information or related area is required. Experience in administration is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. 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. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disability. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disability may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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 FeeTHE 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.

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