Associate Communications Officer

Org. Setting and ReportingThe UN Secretary-General launched on 1 January 2019 a bold and new global reform which repositioned the UN Development System to deliver more effectively and efficiently with the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals. As part of this reform, UN Resident Coordinator Offices (UN RCO), under the leadership of an empowered and independent UN Resident Coordinator - the highest-ranking official of the UN Development System and Representative of the UN Secretary-General at country level - support countries in the achievement of their development priorities and the attainment of the SDG's. In the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) 2023–2027, the United Nations System in Gabon is committed to supporting the Government in achieving its national development priorities. This strategic partnership is structured around three main pillars: 1. Promotion of good governance; 2. Transition to a green and blue economy; 3. Equal opportunities and inclusion. The UNSDCF serves as the main tool for joint planning and coordination between UN agencies and national authorities. It aims to enhance coherence, effectiveness, and impact of UN interventions in support of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within this context, the Associate Communications Officer (NO-B) will play a key role in implementing communication strategies to increase the visibility of UN actions in Gabon, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and promote results achieved under the Cooperation Framework. The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Libreville, Gabon, under the direct supervision of the Head of Office and in close collaboration/coordination with the Resident Coordinator, the Resident Coordinator Office’s team, the UN Communication Group and relevant heads of programs and projects from resident and nonresident UN agencies. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible of the following duties: - Contribute to the implementation of communications strategies that raise awareness, drive engagement, build support and have measurable impact with target audiences. - Contribute to gathering insights and analysis from traditional, social, and digital media monitoring, including public narratives and areas of reputational risk to inform communications strategy. - Contribute to the drafting compelling narratives and messaging on the work of the UN that engage target audiences across different channels and platforms. - Contribute to media mapping, reaching out to and fostering relationships with traditional and new media outlets. - Contribute to the development of media lines, including in crisis situations and on sensitive issues. Contribute to the planning and coordination of press conferences, briefings, and media events. - Contribute to the creation of compelling content that is optimized to reach target audiences across a range of platforms and channels. - Contribute to the drafting and production of communications products, such as press releases, press statements, web stories, reports, and infographics. - Contribute to the development and implementation of communications campaigns that engage and have measurable impact with target audiences through appropriate channels and platforms. - Contribute to development and coordination of strategic communications partnerships with internal and external stakeholders to reach target audiences and maximize impact. - Contribute to the delivery of in-person outreach and advocacy strategies and campaigns to engage target audiences and advance UN priorities - Contribute to the creation of content, interviews, news and programming for UN and/or community radio channels and podcasts. - Contribute to the creation and updating of policy, guidance and/or training related to strategic communications, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders. - Assist in the preparation of reporting and inputs for strategic communications in the context of regular reporting to governmental bodies. - Keep abreast of the latest trends in communications and maintain expertise in relevant and emerging technologies. - Maintain confidentiality, integrity, and discreet handling of sensitive information in compliance with the UN data privacy, security requirements, and standards. - Monitor, analyse and report on communications approaches, activities and strategies to assess their performance and effectiveness. - Contribute to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Ability to apply sustainable development theories, concepts and approaches. Ability to conduct independent research and analysis on sustainable development topics, determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Shows skill in developing sources for data collection. 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. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: 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. 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. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is an advantage. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of two(2) years of progressively responsible experience demonstrating ability to develop and implement communications strategies is required. Demonstrated knowledge of strategic communications principles and practices is required. Demonstrated ability to draft and tailor clear messages for diverse audiences is desirable. Demonstrated skills in developing creative content is desirable. Demonstrated knowledge of current and emerging digital media platforms, their principles and technologies is desirable. Demonstrated skills to conduct research such as systematic data collection and analysis of information from various sources is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in French is required. Knowledge of English is desirable. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. NOTE: \"Fluency\" equals a rating of \"fluent\" in all four areas (read, write, speak, understand) and \"knowledge of\" equals a rating of \"Confident\" in two of the four areas. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates for this position may include a substantive assessment, such as a written test, which will be followed by a competency-based interview by phone or teleconference. Special NoticeAppointment or assignment against this post is for an initial period of one (1) year and any extension will be subject to availability of funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO NATIONALS OF GABON ONLY. The National Professional Officer category shall be of the nationality of the country where this position is located and will be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Gabon nationals residing elsewhere may be considered, in which case the candidate would be responsible for any costs related to travelling and relocating to Gabon in the event of an employment offer. 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. Note to current staff members at the General Service level: Locally recruited General Service staff members applying for this post must meet the minimum requirements, including academic qualifications and years of relevant experience. Relevant experience in the General Service category at G-6 and G-7 levels may count towards experience requirements. \"Internal Applicants: When completing the 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 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 disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application. Upon separation from service, including, but not limited to, expiration or termination of, or resignation from, a fixed term, continuing or permanent appointment, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment on the basis of a temporary appointment for a period of 31 days following the separation. In the case of separation from service on retirement, a former staff member will be ineligible for re-employment for a period of three months. following the separation. This equally applies, mutatis mutandis, with respect to a former or current staff member who has held or holds an appointment in another entity applying the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules and who applies for a temporary position with the Secretariat. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as \"retirement.\" Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply on-line as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. On-line 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. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira \"Need Help?\" link 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.