Public Information Officer/Media Officer, P-3

Position description

This position is located in the Media Relations Section of the Strategic Communications Branch in the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in New York. OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. The Strategic Communications Branch (SCB) is OCHA’s communications and public advocacy team supporting headquarters and field operations in public outreach on humanitarian action. The Branch oversees senior leadership public advocacy and media, including the global spokesperson function, messaging and speeches, and social media. This position-specific job opening is being advertised for the position of Public Information Officer/Media Officer in Media Relations Section of the Strategic Communications Branch (SCB), OCHA, New York. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Media Relations Section.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer/Media Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

Supports media relations for OCHA senior leadership

• Supports media relations for the Under-Secretary-General, Assistant Secretary-General and other senior OCHA officials through organizing media interviews, preparing talking points and devising communications plans for high-level missions, among other activities.
• Prepares and issues statements, remarks to the press and speeches by the Under-Secretary- General, Assistant Secretary-General and other senior OCHA officials, as well as the Secretary-General, on occasion.
• Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and public information officers in the field and at HQ on a range of press and public affairs issues, methods and approaches.
• Organizes and prepares materials for proactive and background media briefings and Interviews for OCHA senior officials.
• In collaboration with relevant departments, formulates communications plans for travel by senior OCHA officials.

Supports the Spokesperson on media work and social media

• Prepares humanitarian inputs and if asked lines on sensitive topics, based on news monitoring and in coordination with relevant desks and field offices, including for the daily noon briefing at UN Headquarters.
• In coordination with relevant OCHA sections, drafts press releases and organizes their clearance and distribution.
• Liaises with relevant offices to formulate media plans around major meetings, senior official travel and other events.
• Drafts key messages, web content, social media content and other products in collaboration with OCHA’s visual, social media and digital teams.
• Updates media lists to ensure maximum reach of communications products.
• Monitors news to identify potential issues that could lead to reputational risk.
• Gives on- and off-the-record interviews in English and/or in another language, as required.
• Builds relationships with media organizations and proactively pitches stories to promote media coverage of humanitarian issues and major OCHA events.
• Acts as focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc.
• Travels to crisis environments for communications support, as needed.

Competencies

• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. knowledge of UN reporting, media operations, distribution, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, message targeting. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities and risks in an international environment. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues. 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Education

• Advanced university degree in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, or other relevant media relations at the national or the international level is required.
• Experience working in a UN or other comparable international organization communication environment is required.
• Experience in engaging with the media and writing professionally on humanitarian crises and issues is required.
• Experience in managing and generating content for social media platforms is desirable.
• Experience in communications in aid operations in the field is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the official working languages of the United Nations. For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.

Application instructions

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