Communications Officer, Addis Ababa

Job Title

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER, P4

Department/ Office

ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA

Duty Station

ADDIS ABABA

Posting Period

18 July 2011-16 September 2011

Job Opening number

11-PUB-ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA-20492-R-ADDIS ABABA

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Org. Setting and Reporting

This post is located in the Information and Communication Services Section, Office of the Executive Secretary, Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa.

Responsibilities

Under the overall guidance of the Chief of Staff, Office of the Executive Secretary and the direct supervision of the Chief of Information and Communication Service (ICS), the incumbent will:

Design and implement communication strategy for Divisions in harmony with ECA communication strategy; develop and implement strategies to enhance the impact of ECA's output and visibility.

Take the lead in strategy, planning, development and implementation of large, complex communications campaigns (e.g. global promotion initiatives, public information programmes, broad-reaching subject specific issues, etc.) and work to develop ways to implement campaigns system-wide and to incorporate the campaign message and themes into all relevant events and products.

Provide advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information and communication staff on a range of public affairs issues, methods, and approaches; anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems.

Develop strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of promotional objectives.

In accordance with ECA communication strategy, advise Divisions on presentational issues, including written style, language, formats, and archival maintenance for institutional knowledge base.

Develop different product forms (the web, on CD¬, social network platforms, outdoor advertising and promotion, etc. for broadcast and print media, etc) for dissemination of ECA's outputs to different target audiences.

Conceptualize all publications and programmed outputs and co-ordinate output planning, sequencing and prioritization. This work will include coordinating publishing, launching, marketing and dissemination of outputs, including conventional and recurring conferences and forums. Following dissemination, solicit client feedback for quality control purposes to ensure systematic, client-focused future planning.

Guide task teams regularly to establish public relations or news value and packaging of relevant material for internal and external communication.

Prepares or oversees preparation of a diverse range of information communications products in support of major campaign initiatives.

Evaluate results and impact of communications activities; reports on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN.

Build information networks; plans and oversees maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on ECA; plans and develops outreach activities.

Produce communication and public information materials for print/electronic/voice/visual media.

Carry out other related tasks as may be directed.

Competencies

Professionalism:

Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to conceptualize, design and implement major information campaigns. Ability to rapidly analyze 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.

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

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

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

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field.

Languages

Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, (both oral and written) is required; knowledge of the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage

Assessment Method

Competency-based interview and other assessment method.

Special Notice

Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers In accordance with established rules and procedures.

United Nations Considerations

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.

No Fee

THE 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.