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 (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. This position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in Caracas, Vennezuela, and reports to the Head of the RC office. The position maintains a close working relationship with the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator and the United Nations Country Team, which sets the communications and advocacy priorities of the UN in the country. The Communications Officer establishes and maintains relationships with senior management in her/his entity, with other Communications specialists in the organization, managers in other functional areas in the same entity, with a Crisis Management team when activated, and with staff to provide and clarify specific or thematic information, to exchange information, to seek guidance, provide updates on activities, coordinate communication activities such as during crisis, to discuss communications support to other functional areas, to participate in the Crisis Management Team, and to share information with staff, as necessary. The Communications Officer also establishes external relationships with counterparts in United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, government officials, civil society representative and local community representatives, artists, creative content producers, digital/community influencers, social media platforms and other digital media platforms, vendors, media and think tanks, and academia to build and manage partnerships, exchange information and best practices, align messaging, consult and coordinate activities, request information on new services and tools, strengthen information integrity, if needed, and organize events and mobilize resources. ResponsibilitiesThe Communications Officer is responsible for conducting a wide range of tasks. Depending on the organizational setting, these may include developing and implementing communications strategies, crisis communication, media relations and monitoring, digital campaigns and analytics, internal communications, outreach, and advocacy. • Provide analysis and advice to the management and/or UN colleagues on strategic communications issues such as opportunities for proactive communications, building support, managing crises and reputational risks, and strengthening information integrity. • Provide insights and analysis from traditional, social, and digital media monitoring, including public narratives and areas of reputational risk to inform communications strategy. • Develop and implement communications strategies that raise awareness, drive engagement, build support and have measurable impact with target audiences. • Draft compelling narratives and messaging on the work of the UN that engage target audiences across different channels and platforms. • Conduct mapping, outreach to and foster relationships with traditional and new media outlets. • Develop and implement compelling communications campaigns that engage and have measurable impact with target audiences through appropriate channels and platforms. • Coordinate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop and deliver joint outreach and advocacy activities to advance UN priorities. • Plan and manage required resources to implement the responsibilities, projects, and activities. • Advise senior management, UN colleagues and /or the Crisis Management Team on crisis communications and reputational risk issues within the scope of UN policy and guidance. • Advise on public narratives to support senior management decision-making and to steer the communications strategy. • Monitor developing events to identify emerging crises and reputational risks. • Manage the coordination of the crisis communications response with the communications stakeholders at the local, regional, and global levels, including the crisis communications cell and UN Communications Group in country. • Create and manage compelling and relevant content for websites, create and moderate engaging and platform-optimized content for social media channels, including live content, tailored for digital platforms to advance digital communications priorities and campaigns work. • Draft and edit clear, concise business intelligence and insights reports on communications outcomes and trends for key stakeholders, including on reputation risks and crisis communications. • Develop recommendations on digital media content and engagement strategies for key stakeholders based on data insights. • Develop and implement communication and/or advocacy strategies to promote and strengthen information integrity, including through monitoring, analysing, responding to misinformation, disinformation, malinformation, hate speech, and threats across the online and offline environment, and the development of relevant partnerships with various actors. • Advise senior management and prepare communications plans for keeping staff informed and engaged in organization objectives and initiatives, including change management, business continuity processes and in times of crisis. • Coordinate and promote feedback mechanisms that capture staff views and sentiments, including surveys, polls and discussion forums, in coordination with management and subject matter experts. • Organise regular meetings and events, in cooperation with internal and system wide stakeholders, such as management and subject matter experts, to keep staff informed and engaged with internal initiatives; moderate and present as required. • Liaise with staff union and other bodies representing personnel to communicate on broader workforce issues, new initiatives, and other issues relevant for personnel. • Develop and implement media relations strategies to shape public perceptions of the UN, its work and impact. • Manage media relations for crisis and reputational risks by promoting the dissemination of accurate information and coherent narratives around the work of the UN. • Conduct media mapping, foster relationships with media outlets; identify and engage with relevant editors, journalists, bloggers, and influencers, and pitch story ideas, issue news releases, and provide expert commentary. • Plan and coordinate press conferences, briefings, and media events; organize media coverage of campaigns and activities, including logistical arrangements for media contacts. • Ensure timely responses to requests for information and interviews from the media. • Prepare talking points, key messages, and data for media interviews to shape public perceptions of the UN work and its impact. • Plan and manage required resources to implement the responsibilities, projects, and activities. • Develop and deliver in-person outreach and advocacy strategies to engage and influence target audiences. • Coordinate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop and deliver joint outreach and advocacy activities to advance UN priorities. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrated ability to identify trends and provide insights. Demonstrated skill in applying and maintaining confidentiality, integrity, and availability principles. Demonstrated knowledge of current and emerging digital media platforms, their principles, and technologies. Demonstrated skill in collecting, processing, and analyzing large volumes of unstructured and structured data. Demonstrated ability to identify trends and provide insights. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and proficiency in 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. 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. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in development communications and advocacy, public information and/or journalism is required. A minimum of one year of experience working in highly politically sensitive context and complex humanitarian settings, providing quality communications advise to senior officials is required. Working experience in Latin America and the Caribbean region is desirable Previous experience in crisis management communications is desirable. Demonstrated critical thinking skills is desirable. Demonstrated knowledge of media monitoring tools is desirable. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement communications strategies is desirable. Demonstrated ability to draft and tailor clear messages for diverse audiences is desirable. Demonstrated skills in developing creative content is desirable. Demonstrated presentation skills is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in both English and Spanish is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. \"Fluency equals a rating of \"Fluent\" in all four areas (read, speak, write and 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 NoticeAppointment against this post is open for an initial period of one year and may be subject to extension subject to legislative body funding availability. 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. 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. 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. Individual contractors and consultants (Non-Staff Personnel) who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. 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. 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. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an email acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please resubmit the application, if necessary. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira \"Need Help?\" link. For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or under-represented in the UN Secretariat as of 28 February 2025, are strongly encouraged to apply: Brunei Darussalam, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Grenada, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sao Tome and Principe, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Vanuatu, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, China, Cuba, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Somalia, Turkmenistan, United States of America. 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.