Public Information Officer

Result of ServiceMission leadership is kept actively abreast of media developments affecting the Mission's operations during a key period, and communications products and deliverables as outlined in the above description of Duties and Responsibilities are delivered in a timely manner and are of professional quality. Work LocationLaayoune, Western Sahara Expected duration3 months Duties and ResponsibilitiesThe International Contractor (IC) position is located in the United Nation Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), at its Headquarters in Laayoune. The incumbent will report to the Mission Chief of Staff in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG). The IC will be responsible for the preparation, coordination and development of communications products and MINURSO-related content across multiple digital platforms and implement communications strategies and activities. This includes the following ongoing tasks and outputs: • Monitor traditional and social media at the local, regional and international level of interest to MINURSO’s mandate. • Draft multimedia and social media posts. • Produce digital communication outputs (e.g. Media stories, Flickr posts, internal Mission newsletter) to include proposing topics, undertaking research, determining appropriate medium and target audience, preparing production plans, writing drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, editing copy, and coordinating design approval, printing procedures and distribution. • Promote the coverage of MINURSO and MINURSO personnel on the internal UN system and related channels, to include disseminating informational materials and coordinating other public information requests, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage. • Prepare, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles or chapters for inclusion in UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books, and produces other public information materials, as appropriate. • Prepare reports to Mission leadership, UNHQ on communications activities, developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN; and coordinates and shares public information activities and guidance with other sections of the Mission and the Leadership. • Act as focal point on public relations issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responds to inquiries from general public and media outlets in consultation with Mission leadership. • Sustain professional relationships with key UN Strategic Communications constituencies. • Analyse media monitoring statistics, social media and web usage and adapts editorial and outreach priorities accordingly. • Assist in responding in a timely fashion to disinformation that could impact negatively on the public perception of the Mission and/or the Mission's leadership, etc. • Ensure Mission internal communication is up to date and accurate. • Perform other related duties that may be assigned. • 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. Qualifications/special skillsAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required. Experience working with internal and external partners to build knowledge on strategic communications related policy and inform decision-making is desirable. Experience in generating and updating communications-related guidance, such as policies and guidelines, to further strategic communications and departmental communications goals is desirable. Experience in supporting UN leadership ahead of policy related engagements, including Member State briefings is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this post, fluency in written and oral English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an advantage. Additional InformationNot available. 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.