- POST TITLE AND LEVEL: PUBLIC INFORMATION ASSISTANT, GL-5
- DATE OF ISSUANCE: 14 DECEMBER 2011
- DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION:28 DECEMBER 2011
- SECTION: PIO
- DUTY STATION:GOMA (1), KALEMIE (1), DUNGU (1)
- VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER: MONUSCO/PIO/45/11
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Responsibilities: Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Public Information Assistant may be responsible for the following duties:
• Provides specialized assistance in the production and delivery of information communications products and services.
• Researches a broad scope of information sources, printed and electronic; compile and present information for use in the preparation and production of communications products/services for external audiences.
• Serves as an information focal point on UN activities open to accredited press and coordinate media coverage of important events; compiles, produces and distributes to journalists basic information (e.g. The Media Alert) on the wide spectrum of UN activities open to the press; briefs relevant parties on policies and procedures governing media coverage of the UN, clearance/accreditation requirements, etc.; liaises with news and publications agencies, public relations firms, UN photographers, etc. to provide advance notice of, and information on, upcoming meetings, briefings and special events and to ascertain coverage requirements; coordinates logistic and technical arrangements/requests and organizes and allocates space for visiting news, photo, TV and film personnel; researches, evaluates and processes applications for UN security clearances/accreditations and control media access to press briefings, etc.; serves as Accreditation and Liaison Officer for UN conferences held away from Headquarters.
• Organizes and executes special events, coordinating with diverse partners and the media to highlight and publicize key events.
• Handles administrative coordination in support of special training and other programmes.
• Performs junior photo-librarian functions that include provision of public information and library research services to requesters of photographic materials, and cataloguing/indexing of photographs.
• Oversees the distribution of audio and video materials; ensures the good management of the film/video archives, and the proper safekeeping/preservation of historical audio/visual materials.
• Serves as the online marketing and promotion coordinator by overseeing the day-to-day marketing activities and working closely with the audio/visual webmaster to ensure successful branding techniques; undertakes proactive call and directs mail initiatives to build a client base and nurture relationships; produces a wide range of promotional products; and develops data collection mechanisms to gather data on the audience and end-users of UN audio/visual products.
• Assists in the production and editing of video/film projects, radio programmes, or website projects: researches diverse print and electronic information sources for topics and materials for projects; suggests ideas on content, narration texts, audio excerpts, design elements, etc.; selects and catalogues sound/ visual materials and evaluates quality for inclusion in productions, and obtains requisite clearances and copyrights; prepares detailed “shot lists” of video and film material; transcribes audio materials available only on audio format, etc.
• Participates in planning and execution of live broadcasts or taping of programs; directs ENG camera crews shooting on location; serves as back-up UNTV news producer and as assistant UNTV camera director; books studio time and schedules pre-production and post-production editing sessions for conventional broadcasting and Internet posting; performs digital audio editing of inserts and other recorded components of programmes; coordinates the narration, excerpts and music segments of scripts for final taping or broadcasting; produces scripts, cue cards, etc.; arranges for interviews, including two-way live interview situations; provides logistical support and facilitates the movement of technical personnel and artists during live broadcast; identifies and selects appropriate and relevant excerpts of speeches and statements for voice-over processing and language adaptations; coordinates translation/adaptation of scripts, the recording of narrations and the preparation of electronic titles and graphics, etc.
• Assists in the electronic dissemination of programmes; prepares, maintains and updates web page, to include drafting and editing content; uploads/downs load audio files and maintains file structure.
• Identifies and prepares new material for inclusion in appropriate web pages by: researching various information sources for relevant material and cross-checking information with author offices as required; identifying, retrieving and downloading pertinent documentation and other information in requisite programming languages for Web format or inserting into database after determining appropriate categorization; editing documents to conform to UN format, structure and style and preparing new pages, incorporating graphics as needed, using appropriate authoring tools and necessary programming languages; preparing and updating index of documents; posting documents on the UN web and/or development servers and ensuring the appropriate directory location; checking and testing for multiple browser support, etc.
• Manages updates and further develops internal databases; update website; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases.
• Provides guidance and training to junior staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
Work implies frequent interaction with the following:
- Public Information Officers, field correspondents, producers, production assistants, engineers and other officials in relevant units within DPI and in other coordinating units of the UN Secretariat.
- Staff members in UNIS and UNICs.
- Field Mission representatives and staff.
- Officials/representatives in UN Specialized Agencies, NGOs, academia, civil society, professional communities and other targeted audiences.
- Media representatives, assignment editors, bureau chiefs.
- Contacts in commercial communications agencies, international broadcasting organizations, etc.
- Computer company representatives/technicians.
- Results Expected: Provides reliable research and specialized support in the development, production, communication and dissemination of information products and/or services. Shows initiative in the identification and resolution of issues/problems. Consistently applies appropriate policies, guidelines and procedures. Effectively and in a timely manner, liaises and interacts with colleagues and concerned parties internally and externally.
Competencies:
• Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures related to the communication, production and dissemination of public information. Ability to research and gather information from a variety of sources. 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.
• 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.
• Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
• Planning& 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.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
• Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
• 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.
• Commitment to Continuous Learning: Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession; actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally; contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates; shows willingness to learn from others; seeks feedback to learn and improve.
• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Qualifications:
Education: High school diploma or equivalent. Must have passed the United Nations Administrative Support Assessment Test (ASAT) at Headquarters or an equivalent locally-administered test at Offices Away.
Experience: Five years of experience in public communication, international broadcasting or related area.
Language: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
Completed detailed application documentation as specified above referring should be forwarded to the attention of:
MONUSCO Human Resources Section:
MONUSCO UTEX 2 Kinshasa DRC
with reference:
Vacancy # MONUSCO/PIO/45/11
or to this email address: [email protected]
Not later than the established deadline. Short-listed candidates will be called for a test. Applications from qualified female candidates are particularly encouraged
