SENIOR PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER - The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)

This position is located within the Communications and Public Information Unit (PICU) of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya. The position is based in Tripoli, Libya (Tripoli is classified as a Hardship “E” duty station and a non-family duty station). The incumbent will be the Head of PICU and will report to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General though the Chief of Staff.
UNSMIL’s mandate as renewed in SC resolution 2486 of 12 September 2019 includes, as an immediate priority, support to the Libyan political process, as well as the undertaking of: (a) support to key Libyan institutions; (b) support, on request, for the provision of essential services and delivery of humanitarian assistance; (c) human rights monitoring and reporting; (d) support for securing uncontrolled arms and related materiel and countering their proliferation; and (e) coordination of international assistance, and provision of advice and assistance to GNA-led efforts to stabilize post-conflict zones.
Responsibilities
Within the limits of delegated authority and in close coordination with the Chief of Staff and Mission leadership, the Senior Public Information Officer may be responsible for the following duties:
• Conceptualizes, designs and implements the Mission’s integrated communications strategy, in close coordination with the Chief of Staff and the Head of Mission, covering the full range of the Mission’s strategic communications activities; ensures regular review and update of the strategy.
• Leads and directs a team of public information officers; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors, and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programs; develops and manages Unit’s budget. Coordinates with Mission components and UN agencies, funds and programmes, and partners, as necessary.
• Ensures regular, timely and professional communication and effective coverage of mission activities on traditional and digital media platforms; oversees the Mission social media presence and leads digital media campaigns using a range of digital media platforms and leveraging emerging technologies and trends;
• Provides pertinent communications advice and input for Mission leadership interactions with key stakeholders, including non- governmental and civil society organizations;
• Gives press briefings, background briefings and interviews to national and international media; drafts and/or edits and issues press releases, official statements and communication materials on behalf of the mission as necessary;
• Assesses the overall effectiveness of the public information strategy and programmes and makes needed changes in approach and technique.
• Advises Mission leadership, senior staff and other Mission personnel on strategic communication matters;
• Oversees regular media monitoring and information bulletins to meet the needs of the Head of Mission and senior leadership;
• Ensures public information products meet high-quality standards.Develop and maintain networks of high level communications contacts with broadcast media, the press, governmental agencies, international institutions and other groups and organizations in civil society;
• Guides the Mission crisis communication activities;
• Maintains regular interaction and consults with public information personnel at UNHQ;
• Other related duties that may be assigned.
Competencies
Professionalism: Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities and risks. Ability to generate and communicate broad and compelling organizational direction. Ability to communicate clearly links between the Organization’s strategy and the work unit’s goals. Demonstrated ability to provide innovative technical leadership by performing and/or overseeing the planning, development, and management of operation. Demonstrated ability to negotiate and apply good judgment 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.
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.
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.
Managing Performance: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; Makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; Accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; Regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; Encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; Actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; Appraises performance fairly.
Leadership: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public relations or related field. A first-level university degree with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of ten years of progressively responsible experience in public information, communications, journalism, international relations, or related area is required.
Experience managing public information and communication strategies in politically sensitive environments (such as faced in conflict or post-conflict environments) is required.
Experience in managing a multidisciplinary team is required.
Experience developing and managing workplans and budgeting is required.
Relevant experience working in a field operation (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds, and programmes, or similar international organization or non-governmental organization) is desirable.
Experience in managing (directly or through a team) “corporate” social media platforms is desirable.
Relevant working experience in/on the Middle East-North Africa Regions is desirable.
Experience as a spokesperson is desirable.
Experience in multi-media production is desirable.
Familiarity with UN public information policies and procedures is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of French is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a written assessment and an interview.
Special Notice
• This position is temporarily available for an initial period of 6 months. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
• While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
• This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
• Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
• Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
United Nations Considerations
According 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.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side 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.
Please click on the link below to apply:
https://careers.un.org/lbw/jobdetail.aspx?id=127180&Lang=en-US

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