COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities. UN-Habitat is the focal point for all urbanization and human settlement matters within the UN system. UN-Habitat works with partners to build inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and communities. UN-Habitat promotes urbanization as a positive transformative force for people and communities, reducing inequality, discrimination and poverty. UN-Habitat’s External Relations, Strategy, Knowledge and Innovation Division (ERSKI-D) is responsible for strategic planning, programmatic direction and operationalization of UN-Habitat's focal point role for the New Urban Agenda in the UN system; knowledge management, data and reporting; innovation; resource mobilization; and strategic partnerships. This position is located in the Communications and Media Section located in ERSKI-D at the Nairobi duty station. The Communications and Media Section communicates UN-Habitat’s key messages to stakeholders and partners, creates awareness on urban issues and promotes UN-Habitat’s work and knowledge globally. The post aligns with the broader strategy to make UN-Habitat’s digital platforms more functional, user-friendly, and visually appealing; re-organize advocacy and technical content to raise the profile of UN-Habitat's work; give visibility to countries and global programmes, as well as support timely web updates for UN-Habitat meetings and conferences. Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Communication and Media Section, the incumbent will perform the following duties: Responsibilities• Provides specialized assistance to officers in the production and delivery of information communications products and services. • Provides support in enhancing visibility and outreach by contributing to the development and dissemination of communication materials, including digital, print and multimedia outputs. • Supports marketing and promotional activities by: identifying and preparing targeted content for dissemination through appropriate channels; researching audience data and trends to inform content development; drafting key messages and promotional texts for campaigns and outreach initiatives; updating and maintaining mailing lists and campaign trackers; coordinating the design, review and dissemination of promotional materials including brochures, digital banners, event kits and branded templates; and ensuring consistency with UN branding and communication standards across all materials. • Manages, updates and further develops internal databases; updates web site, to include drafting and editing content; development and maintenance of Internet applications; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases. • Researches, compiles and presents basic information for use in the preparation and production of communications products/services. • Serves as photographic assistant by producing digital imaging, producing photo prints, and serving as back-up photographer; write captions for UN photos. • Coordinates media coverage of important events; liaises with news and publications agencies, public relations firms, UN photographers, etc. to provide advance notice of, and information on, upcoming meetings, briefings and special events and to ascertain coverage requirements; coordinates technical arrangements and organizes and allocates space for visiting news, photo, TV and film personnel; evaluates and processes applications for UN security clearances/accreditations. • Participates in the planning and coordination of major exhibits; liaises with relevant departments/agencies; drafts and edits reports, production schedules, press releases and related texts, and correspondence related to the planning and production of exhibits. • Using relevant computer software, creates designs in appropriate format for promotional and other material, e.g. brochures, presentational materials, announcements, video and audio cassette covers and catalogues, etc.; ensures that photos, graphics, etc. are appropriate and conform to UN standards for print materials. • Ensures availability and appropriate packaging of products for distribution at special events, exhibits, conferences, media functions, etc. • Assists in the production and editing of video/film projects, radio programmes or website projects; tracks all production material; produces scripts, cue cards, etc., selects and catalogues sound and visual materials for inclusion in productions, and obtains requisite clearances and copyrights; coordinates scheduling of commercial and internal production facilities; directs studio recordings and/or evaluates audio quality of recordings for inclusion in programmes. • Monitors the performance of digital audio workstations and other computer-based editing systems with respect to proper digital file management; review entries, file storage, retention and deletion practices to ensure consistent application of basic guidelines; identifies problems/issues and liaises with appropriate personnel for their resolution. • Identifies and prepares new material for inclusion in appropriate web pages by: researching various information sources for relevant material and cross-checking information with author offices as required; retrieving and downloading pertinent documentation and other information in requisite programming languages for Web format or inserting into database after determining appropriate categorization; preparing new pages, incorporating graphics as needed, using appropriate authoring tools and necessary programming languages; preparing and updating index of documents; posting documents on the UN-Habitat web and/or development servers and ensuring the appropriate directory location; checking and testing for multiple browser support, etc. • Provides guidance/training to junior staff. • Assists with the collection and analysis of data as well as preparation of data presentations and reports for information sharing, responding to queries, knowledge management, planning and decision making. • Assists with visualizations and updating information material such as web pages or brochures. • Participates in the planning and coordination of major exhibits; liaises with relevant departments/agencies; drafts and edits reports, production schedules, press releases and related texts, and correspondence related to the planning and production of exhibits. • Provides general office support; responds to complex information requests and inquiries; processes, drafts and finalizes correspondence and other communications; sets up and maintains files/records, organizes meetings, monitors deadlines, etc. • Performs other duties as assigned. Competencies• Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures related to communication, production and dissemination of public information. Ability to research information from a variety of sources. Able to perform analysis, modeling and interpretation of data in support of decision-making. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects 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& 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. EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent is required. Job - Specific QualificationA bachelor’s degree in public communication, journalism including social media or related area is desirable. Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of experience in communications, digital content management, web publishing, or a related field is required. Experience using CMS platforms (e.g., WordPress, Drupal), HTML and CSS is desirable. Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) is desirable. One (1) year or more of 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 English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is desirable. 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 may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special Notice• This position is temporarily available for 364 days. 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 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 \"Contact Us\" 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.