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 communications, international relations, or other relevant areas, is required. Demonstrated knowledge of risks to information integrity - misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, and threats in fragile, post-conflict, and crisis environments is required. Demonstrated knowledge of crisis communications and reputational risk management is required. 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. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Spanish is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).