UN Public Information Officer Job Careers – United Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE)

Organization: United
Nations Regional Service Centre Entebbe (RSCE)
Duty Station: Entebbe,
Uganda
Job Opening Number: RSCE/TJO/001/01/2019
Reports to: Chief
RSCE
About RSCE:
The Regional Service
Centre Steering Committee is the decision-making body for RSCE, in compliance
with General Assembly resolutions, United Nations Secretariat rules and
regulations, strategic guidance from United Nations Headquarters and oversight
bodies. The Steering Committee consults with the Global Field Support Strategy
Implementation Coordination Team, as required.
The Regional Service
Centre, as approved by the Member States, is owned, managed and staffed by the
regional missions it serves. This framework reinforces the existing missions’
chain of command structures and lines of authority in a manner that does not
create an additional layer between Headquarters and the regional missions. It
also ensures that staffing for RSC.
Job Summary:  The Public Information Officer reports to the
Chief RSCE and shall be responsible for participating in the formulation and
implementation of strategy, planning, development and provision of accurate and
timely information with the objective of promoting awareness, understanding,
support and respect for the RSCE’s work with particular emphasis of reaching
local and international media, civil society organizations, Government and
National NGOs, United Nations staff Worldwide and United Nations stakeholders.
The incumbent shall perform the following functions:
Key Duties and Responsibilities:  Under
the direction of the supervisor and within the limits of delegated authority,
the Public Information Officer may be responsible for the following duties:
Manages outreach to
local media, civil society organizations, Government and National NGOs
  • Produces and disseminates information aimed at local and
    international media and organizations about the RSCE, its aims and
    activities and supports outreach activities and assists in interactions in
    local language(s);
  • Prepares material for press briefings and interviews; drafts press
    statements and press releases as necessary; establishes and maintains a
    cooperative relationship with local and international media;
  • Drafts and edits material for press releases, key messages,
    Q&As, talking points, UN newsletters reports and books. 
  • Assists in responding in a timely fashion to disinformation that
    could negatively impact public perception of the Center and/or RSCE’s
    management, etc.
  • Monitors and analyses local and international media and develops
    contact list of local journalists and media outlets covering all media –
    print, TV, radio, social media, web, photo etc. – and a successful process
    of communicating and maintaining regular contact and close collaboration with
    the media.
Builds
communication capacity with national partners and strengthens local
partnerships
  • Builds capacity and serves as focal point on local capacity building
    including supporting local media and partners through regular contact and
    organizing specialized training to address knowledge, awareness and skill
    gaps.
  • Develops partnerships with key national constituencies by
    proactively sharing work plan and content and working closely with
    national partners to raise visibility and understanding of the Center’s
    work.
  • Develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit
    support for and maximize impact of public information objectives; raises
    visibility of the Center by organizing and/or participating in seminars,
    lectures, conferences, public events on major issues and events concerning
    the organization.
Prepares or
coordinates the development of communications products and content in local
language(s)
  • Prepares or coordinates the preparation of a diverse range of
    communication products in local languages(s) in support of RSCE priorities
    and works closely with departments and partners to develop ways to
    implement campaigns system-wide and to incorporate the campaign message
    and themes into all relevant events and products.
  • Writes human interest stories for local and international audiences
    and produces digital content for the RSCE’s social media platforms.
  • Keeps abreast of changing developments, trends and political
    development in country and serves as advisor to Chief RSCE on these
    issues.
Implements
communications strategies and activities
  • Responsible for participating in the development and implementation
    of a strategy for media relations, publications, web and digital media
    including social media, community outreach and/or radio products with the
    objective of promoting awareness, understanding, support and respect for
    the Center’s work and support for its mandate and priorities.
  • Contributes to reports to RSCE 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 Public Information Unit and leadership when
    appropriate.
  • Provides communication support to managers, senior officers and
    other public information staff on a range of public affairs issues,
    methods, and approaches;
Provides support to
internal communications
  • Produces reports, newsletters, and other materials of interest to
    internal audiences.
  • Ensures Center internal communication is up to date and accurate.
  • Other related duties that may be assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
  • The ideal candidate for the United Nations Regional Service Centre
    Entebbe (RSCE) Public Information Officer job placement should hold an
    Advanced 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.
  • Postgraduate qualification or certification in communication,
    journalism, international relations is desirable.
  • Post graduate qualification or certification in public relations and
    customer care or creative writing is desirable.
  • At least five years of progressively responsible experience in
    public information, journalism, international relations, public
    administration or related area.
  • In case of a Bachelor’s Degree a minimum of seven (7) years
    progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism,
    international relations, public administration or related area is
    required.
  • Experience working in a United Nations common system field operation
    (inclusive of peacekeeping, political missions and UN agencies, funds and
    programmes) – or similar international organization or non-governmental
    organization – in a conflict or post-conflict setting is desirable.
  • Languages: fluency
    in English (both oral and written) is required.
Competencies:
  • Professionalism:
    Extensive Knowledge in Journalism; political awareness, judgment and solid
    knowledge of international and national current affairs. Ability to work
    under pressure. Good research and analytical skills. Knowledge of the UN
    system and its work. Keen awareness of international and national trends
    and developments. Knowledge of digital editing technology. 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 the 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. Builds
    consensus for task purpose and direction with team members. 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 shortcoming.
  • Judgement/ Decision-making: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the
    heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a
    decision; Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to
    making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on
    the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation
    based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts;
    Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and
    underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.
NB: 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.
How to Apply:
All suitably
qualified and interested Ugandan candidates should send their applications with
the following documents:
  • The United Nations Personal History form
    (P-11), 
    Download
    Here
    ; This should be
    signed
  • Proof of required academic certificates
    i.e. Academic Certificate(s) and/or High School/Secondary Diplomas
  • Latest performance evaluation reports /
    appraisals
The applicants with
the completed documents are strongly encouraged to apply via e-mail and must
include the Vacancy Announcement Number (check beginning of this advert) and
Job Title to: rsce2-recruitment@un.org
Deadline: 27th January 2019
For more of the
latest jobs, please visit 
https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline

Related Jobs