The United Nations Office at Viena - United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNOV/UNODC)
Temporary job opening for Associate Communications Officer (External Relations and Reporting), UNODC/DO/IPB/COAFG in Kabul (deadline 20 February 2014).
The position is located in Kabul, in the Country Office in Afghanistan (COAFG), Integrated Programme and Oversight Branch (IPB), Division for Operations (DO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the Representative in COAFG and the technical guidance of the Deputy Representative, and in close cooperation with the programme managers. This is a re-advertisement of TJO 13-73-P-TEMP and filling of this position is subject to availability of funding.
Within assigned authority, the Associate Communications Officer (External Relations and Reporting) will (a) assist in conceptualizing, designing and carrying out the communication strategy of the office with the aim of increasing the office's visibility and improving coordination with external contacts; (b) support establishing and maintaining contacts with bilateral and multilateral aid agencies and non-governmental organizations, as well as other United Nations agencies to promote UNODC mandates, objectives and activities; and (c) assist in improving the quality of reporting to donors and headquarters.
In particular the incumbent will perform the following tasks:
Communications: Assist in conceptualizing, designing and carrying out the communication strategy of the office with the aim of increasing the office's visibility and improving coordination with external contacts, including all stakeholders, in order to increase support for UNODC's work in Afghanistan. Draft and compile specific types of information communications product (print and broadcast) for target audiences, to include press releases, media packets and reports, brochures, briefings, video clips, newsletters, websites, etc. Respond to a variety of inquiries and information requests internally and externally; prepare related correspondence.
External relations: Assist in establishing and maintaining contacts with bilateral and multilateral aid agencies, non-governmental organizations and other United Nations agencies to promote UNODC mandates, objectives and activities. Update, plan, conduct and follow up on major conferences and high-level external missions with respect to organizational and programmatic aspects; contribute to the preparation of briefing papers, evaluation summaries, donor reports and presentations for Representative’s appointments, meetings and missions; support the Representative as well as the Deputy Representative in ensuring smooth management of their externally oriented engagements and high-level missions. Assist in fostering collaboration with the mass media through activities such as press conferences, organizing visits to project sites, setting up interviews with UNODC staff and facilitating photo and TV coverage.
Reporting: Assist in improving the quality of reporting including project progress reports and ad hoc reporting requirements to donors and headquarters. Develop a donor tracker to record the fund flow and funding shortfalls and track the obligations as per the donor agreements. Maintain a calendar of events and reporting deadlines.
Perform other duties as assigned.
- Professionalism: Has in-depth and substantial technical knowledge and expertise in all aspects of counter-narcotics issues; integrity and reliability. Is able to align external relations with internal programme objectives. Has knowledge of practices in communication planning and strategy, including the respective impacts of different communicative products. Has proven conceptual and analytical skills that lead to the formulation of policies, programmes, strategies and recommendations. Is able to plan, execute and monitor public communication campaigns, e.g. campaign management, market research, message targeting, impact evaluation. Is able to research and analyse issues and topics related to current events. Is able to draft and compile a variety of written communication products in a clear, concise style. Is able to interact with the public to build and maintain effective business connections. Ability to draft and write in a clear and concise manner and to communicate effectively orally. Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts and external partners; excellent interpersonal and communication (spoken, written and presentational) skills, including ability to express clearly and concisely ideas and concepts in written and oral form; specific skills in writing press releases and articles/stories for traditional and electronic media. Ability to identify clients’ needs and develop appropriate solutions; ability to establish and maintain productive partnerships with clients. Proven ability to effectively manage relationships with government officials, UN and donor representatives; and members. 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.
- 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.
- Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field, is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
- Experience: A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area, is required.
- Proficiency in relevant office computer applications: Word, Excel, Desktop Publisher, and Photoshop is required. Work experience in communication and programme implementation activities is desirable. Previous experience of working with the United Nations, especially in Afghanistan, is an asset. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first-level university degree recognized by the United Nations.
- Languages: English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency/proficiency in English (oral and written) is required. Knowledge of Dari and/or Pashto would be an asset.
Applicants who meet the required qualifications and who wish to be considered for this temporary vacancy may indicate their interest by e-mail to recruitment [ät] unvienna.org by the above deadline date, clearly citing the full TJO number and enclosing their up-to-date personal history profile (PHP), available from http://careers.un.org/lbw/Home.aspx. United Nations Secretariat staff members are also expected to provide a copy of their last two performance reports. Only those applicants who come under serious consideration will be contacted.
A current staff member who holds a fixed-term, permanent or continuing appointment may apply for temporary positions no more than one level above his or her current grade. However, a current staff member who holds an appointment at the G-6 or G-7 level may also apply to temporary positions in the Professional category up to and including the P-3 level, subject to meeting all eligibility and other requirements for the position. Qualifying years of experience are calculated following the receipt of the first level university degree recognized by the United Nations.
Internal candidates, if selected, will normally maintain a lien on their post and will be temporarily assigned to this position. Internal candidates for this purpose are defined as staff members who have been recruited after a competitive examination under staff rule 4.16 or after the advice of a central review body under staff rule 4.15. 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. For information on the provisions for special post allowance, please refer to ST/AI/1999/17.
A staff member holding a temporary appointment shall be regarded as an external candidate when applying for other positions, and may apply for other temporary positions at any level, subject to staff rule 4.16(b)(ii). Therefore, a staff member holding a temporary appointment in the General Service or related categories may only apply to positions within those categories. For full information on eligibility requirements, please refer to section 5 of ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1 on Temporary Appointments. In its resolution 66/234, the General Assembly further “stressed that the Secretary-General should not recur to the practice of temporarily filling posts in the Professional and higher categories with General Service staff members who have not passed the General Service to Professional category examination other than on an exceptional basis, and requests the Secretary-General to ensure that temporary occupation of such posts by General Service staff shall not exceed a period of one year, effective 1 January 2013…” Consequently, eligible candidates in the General Service or related categories for temporary job openings in the Professional category that have not passed the competitive examination may be selected only on an exceptional basis endorsed by the Office of Human Resources Management where no other suitable candidate could be identified.
Staff members whose appointment status is limited (e.g. former 200/300 series staff who have not been reviewed by a central review body, Associate Experts, etc.), if selected for a temporary vacancy will normally be offered a temporary appointment at the level of the advertised post, provided all requirements outlined in the temporary job opening are met. This entails a separation of such staff members from their fixed-term appointment and reappointment under a temporary appointment after a break-in-service.
An external candidate selected for this position is bound by the prevailing conditions of the staff selection system under ST/AI/2010/3, as amended, and ST/AI/2010/4/Rev.1, and will be offered a temporary appointment. A staff member holding a temporary appointment who is recruited in the Professional and above categories on a temporary appointment and placed on a position authorized for one year or longer may not apply for or be reappointed to his/her current position within six months of the end of his/her current service.
YPP/NCRE and G-to-P roster candidates, if eligible, are also encouraged to apply.
Subject to the funding source of the position, this TJO may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
Applicants for this position may be requested to undergo a written assessment exercise and/or interview. The head of department/office will select the candidate he or she considers to be best suited for the functions. In the final selection due consideration will also be given to staff members who are already in the service of the Organization.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
- Cover Letter
- Personal History Profile (visit https://inspira.un.org to generate a PHP)
- Last two completed Performance appraisals
ALL SUBMISSIONS TO BE SENT TO:
recruitment [ät] unvienna.org
More information on other vacancies can be found on our career portal http://careers.un.org.
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