Communications Officer

Result of ServiceEnsure high-quality communication materials that effectively translate the UN global agenda. Produce quality media releases, opinion pieces, and developmental journalism. Innovate major communication campaigns with a creative approach. Ensure the effective design and delivery of information and communication products aligned with organizational objectives and policies. Work LocationUnited Nations Resident Coordinators Office in Mbabane ESWATINI Expected duration6 months, full time Duties and ResponsibilitiesOrganizational Context: The UN Secretary-General's 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(SDGs). 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 SDGs. The United Nations Secretary-General initiated a United Nations system-wide reform leading to a reinvigorated Resident Coordinator (RC) system at the centre of a repositioned United Nations development system. At the heart of this transformation of the United Nations development coordination function are resident coordinators, who are the designated representatives of the Secretary-General for development at the country level. The resident coordinators are the cornerstone of a coherent and well-coordinated United Nations development system capable of delivering integrated support across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a holistic agenda which calls for joint collaboration between agencies, funds and programmes for the achievement of national development priorities. The Resident Coordinator (RC) is the highest-ranking representative of the United Nations development system (UNDS) at the country level, with the responsibility to lead United Nations country teams, and ensure system-wide accountability on the ground for the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework and coordinating UN support to countries in their implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The RC brings to the role an appreciation of the breadth of assets of the United Nations in the service of sustaining peace, promoting developing and leading humanitarian intervention where they exist. The Resident Coordinator is also the designated representative of – and reports to – the UN Secretary-General. This position will be in the Office of the Resident Coordinator in Eswatini. The main duties of the Associate Communications Officer will be: · Provide substantive advice and support to the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT in adapting and localizing UN Global communications and thematic advocacy priorities related to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the UN’s Cooperation Framework. · Provide diverse material (briefing, speeches, questions and answers, etc.), technical and policy advice on highly complex communications issues related to the work in the country to the Resident Coordinator and the UNCT; provide UN Headquarters with media reports regarding highly complex conditions and public attitudes towards the UN in the country. · Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of public affairs issues; anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems. · Develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of promotional objectives; serves as a principal liaison to media organizations, governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, etc. · Strengthens the UN brand via events, media and public relations opportunities targeted to diverse partners, by working with and through the UN Communications Group. · Advises and support the chair of UN Communication Group · Prepares briefing papers and discussion points, speeches, statements, op-eds and presentations as necessary on issues related to communications on development policies for consideration by RC/UNCT. · Organizes media coverage and arranges for media contacts, briefings, interviews; organizes seminars, lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning the UN. · Builds information networks; plans and oversees maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on the United Nations, including the UN’s website and social media accounts; plans and develops outreach activities. · Develops and maintains external and internal digital communications platforms such as the UN country team website, official UN country team social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, etc.), Intranet and on-line collaboration platforms, etc. · Assists in the day-to-day operation of the RCO to include participating in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the RCO, interpreting and disseminating policy, providing procedural advice, improving reporting systems, handling operational and administrative queries, preparing budget submissions, establishing and/or coordinating training programmes and monitoring and evaluating results. · Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. · Work requires frequent interaction with the following: Senior managers throughout the UN, senior public information officers, operations staff and other specialists and senior managers throughout the UN, and senior officials of organs and agencies of the UN system. Translators, designers, printers. Bureau Chiefs, editors, journalists for major news media. Senior officials of international, regional and national organizations, senior officials in government bodies and agencies, non-governmental organizations, businesses, academia and other areas of civil society. The Associate Communications Officer will work under the Supervision of the Head of Office the Resident Coordinator. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent degree) in communication, journalism, international relations or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Experience of a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in programme communications and advocacy in the context of development is required. Experience managing some resources, including personnel and budget, to support communications and advocacy activities in a local context, is desirable. Language fluency and proficiency in English and Siswati. Additional requirements: Sound knowledge of Eswatini national context, i.e. functions that require national experience or knowledge of the national language, culture, institutions, and systems. LanguagesEnglish and Siswati Additional InformationThis position is temporarily available for a period of 6 months. 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. 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.