PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER

Org. Setting and ReportingThe United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund (UNJSPF) was established in 1949 by the United Nations General Assembly to provide retirement, death, disability, and related benefits for staff of the United Nations and other member organizations of the Fund. UNJSPF administers benefits of more than 80,000 beneficiaries residing in more than 190 countries, paid in 18 currencies, and services more than 150,000 participants who work in the 25 member organizations of UNJSPF. The Fund has offices in New York (United States) and Geneva (Switzerland) and two liaison offices in Nairobi (Kenya) and Bangkok (Thailand), respectively. The United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund-Pension Administration (UNJSPF-PA) comprises about 250 staff from diverse countries and cultures, based across four prominent duty stations (New York, Geneva, Bangkok, and Nairobi). We are a career employer offering unique opportunities for growth within the United Nations system. We offer staff competitive benefits, including up to six weeks of annual leave per year, a defined benefit pension plan (not subject to variation of capital markets), parental leave, a comprehensive insurance plan, and flexible working arrangements subject to operational requirements. Our office is located in the heart of Manhattan, within walking distance from the Grand Central Station hub, in a state-of-the-art facility (the One Dag Hammarskjöld building). Visit www.unjspf.org for more details. This position is located in the Office of the Chief Executive of Pension Administration (CEPA) in the Pension Administration (PA) of the United Nations Joint Staff Pension Fund. The incumbent will report to the Special Assistant to the CEPA and will lead the work of the Communications Team. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Public Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties: Strategic Communications • Support the development and implementation of internal and external communications campaigns related to Pension Administration services, modernization, and transformation initiatives, in line with the overall strategy set by the Chief Executive and the Special Assistant. • Ensure communications are cohesive and aligned with the Chief Executive’s messaging, with a focus on fostering trust, transparency, and client education. • Advise and collaborate with senior staff on communications matters, ensuring that messaging supports organizational objectives and is responsive to emerging needs. • Provide input and coordinate communications activities under the guidance of the Special Assistant, including the preparation of materials for crisis response, governance messaging, and stakeholder engagement (e.g., retirees’ associations, staff unions, member organizations). Governance and Modernization • Coordinate the implementation of the UNJSPF Communications Strategy and Policy, including oversight of communications governance structures (e.g., Communications Committee, change control board for the website). • Lead the Communications Team in supporting the roll-out of modernization projects (e.g., Member Self-Service Portal (MSS), E-pension, new forms, new financial system, UN Digital ID, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) roll-out). • Foster innovation by promoting emerging technologies and trends, including the use of AI for customer service and data collection for decision-making. Performance, Analytics • Manage the day-to-day operations of the Communications Team, including coordination of substantive and administrative activities, budget submissions, training, and continuous improvement of reporting systems. • Supervise and mentor staff, ensuring effective support for new initiatives with significant client impact. • Collect, analyse, and report on communications data (e.g., website visits, social media engagement, event participation) to inform strategy and demonstrate impact. • Evaluate the results and impact of communications activities, providing regular reports to leadership and governance bodies. Outreach and Stakeholder Engagement • Proactively expand outreach efforts, especially in the context of UN80, using channels such as Pension Townhalls, the Fund’s website, member organization websites, and social media. • Oversee the production and dissemination of high-quality, multilingual communication materials (website, newsletters, videos, reports, publications) to serve over 250,000 clients and a growing global audience. • Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key constituencies, including media, governmental bodies, international organizations, and civil society. • Represent the Pension Administration in meetings, conferences, and public events; serve as spokesperson and principal liaison to media and external stakeholders. Work implies frequent interaction with the following: • UNJSFP Chief Executive of Pension Administration, UNJSPF Pension Administration and Office of Investment Management leadership • Public information officers, operations staff and other specialists and senior managers throughout the United Nations, and officials of organs and agencies of the United Nations system • Translators, designers, printers • Bureau Chiefs, editors, journalists for major news media • Officials of international, regional and national organizations, non-governmental organizations, businesses, academia and other areas of civil society Results Expected: Provide sound advice and services in dealing with substantive matters concerning public information operations. Develop and implement a creative approach to major Pension Administration communications campaigns and ensure effective design and delivery of information products in accordance with overall objectives and policies. Serve as an effective spokesperson and form strong partnerships with relevant parties involved to engender support for and advance the organization’s public information agenda. Competencies• Professionalism: Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of project campaigns. Knowledge of the use of AI for customer services. Knowledge of survey methods in the area of communication and outreach. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns, and to report on their impact. Ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Able to analyse and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. • 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. • Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. • Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration 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 public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required. Experience in strategic communications and the development of compelling global campaigns, in particular supporting change management processes, is required. Experience in managing multilingual communication channels and ensuring outreach across different audiences is required. Publication and speechwriting experience for senior management, including drafting impactful articles and reports is required. Experience in a pension fund or a comparable large-scale, client-focused financial or benefits administration or client-service organization is desirable. Experience in the United Nations system or other international organization is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are 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).