CHIEF, Visitors' Service Geneva (Temporary Job Opening)

Org. Setting and ReportingThis temporary position is located in the Visitors' Service, Geneva Information Service (UNIS) and the incumbent will report to the Director of UNIS. As Chief of the Geneva Visitors' Service, the incumbent plans, implements and supervises the work of the Unit in order to promote public awareness and understanding of the United Nations objectives and activities in a changing world, by organizing guided lecture tours of the Palais des Nations at Geneva in various languages and through promotional activities and special events. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties: 1. Ensures sound management of the Visitors' Service Unit in accordance with strict criteria of selectivity and full employment of staff and with efficient planning and control of budget by: - Assuming overall responsibility over the accounts assigned to the Visitors’ Service Unit in the capacity of certifying officer; - Establishing and supervising programmes of visits at UNOG. In addition to the guided lecture tours they may include visit of the Library and the League of Nations Museum, speaking engagements, film showings, documentation, receptions; - Seeking that the Service disposes of the quantity and quality of motivated staff to ensure high level of services to the public; organizing selection of and training of a pool of 30 guides; organizing interviews, information seminars followed by written and oral tests; determining staff requirements and recommending appointments, giving guidance to the guides for their commentaries and attitudes in order to improve their performances; - Supervising accounting and administrative procedures; - Submitting activity and financial reports involving budget estimates and projections of tour traffic and revenue related to tours and to other sources; - Answering letters or calls from the public regarding visits at UNOG. Receiving visitors with general criticisms on the United Nations and ensuring that they leave satisfied and better informed on the work of the Organization; - Coordinating arrangements for special or protocol visits in close contact with Protocol Office and Permanent Missions; selecting speakers and material suitable to targeted groups. 2. Organizes special events at UNOG to develop UN visibility and image by: - Assessing opportunities and suggesting initiatives for promotional projects in order to highlight in the public eye United Nations anniversaries, commemorations or activities; - Making appropriate contacts with Permanent Missions, local authorities, cultural and artistic personalities to implement the projects. Ensuring that the Visitors' Service Unit carries out these projects directly or acts as focal point for the coordination of the input of the associated bodies (of inside and outside the United Nations). 3. Carries out public relations and information activities to increase interest in the United Nations and attract more visitors to UNOG by: - Addressing special visiting groups on the work of the Organization; welcoming important visitors and representing the Unit in outside events; receiving media representatives and giving interviews related with Visitors' Service Unit activities; - Establishing and developing active relationships with opinion makers or key-multiplicators: governmental and non-governmental agencies, mass media, educational institutions, tour operators, professional/business/cultural associations, in order to enlist their active support; - Maintaining a wide variety of contacts within UNOG and specialized agencies; advertising Visitors’ Service Unit programmes (visits, ceremonies, encounters, screening/debates, concerts, \"open days\", exhibits) through media, posters, mailings, briefings and interviews. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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. 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. 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. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. EducationAdvanced 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 two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceAt least five years of progressively responsible experience in public relations at the national level and/or the international level, including work related to the public information activities of the United Nations is required. Experience in the management of guided tours or outreach events is desirable. Experience in handling relations with the public in institutional context is desirable. Experience with SAP or similar systems in budget management context is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English and French are required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice• This position is temporarily available until 30 November 2025. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to \"internal candidates,\" who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • 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 botha cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. • Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position. 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.