Public Information Officer Job at the United Nations

The United Nations is the one international organization with the reach and vision capable of solving global problems. The United Nations Foundation links the UN's work with others around the world, mobilizing the energy and expertise of business and non-governmental organizations to help the UN tackle issues including climate change, global health, peace and security, women's empowerment, poverty eradication, energy access, and U.S.-UN relations.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Public Information Officer

Job Opening ID: 236200
Job Location: Abuja
Schedule: Full-Time
Job Network: Public Information and Conference Management
Job Family: Public Information
Department/Office: Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Responsibilities

• Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties:  
• Manages reporting and analysis, by establishing and maintaining reporting system within the country; oversees drafting and distribution of regular reports on the humanitarian situation; ensures flow of information and analysis of developments in the country/region, including tracking trends and sharing reports with HQ, and key partners.
• Takes the lead in strategy, planning, development and implementation of large, complex communications campaigns (e.g. global advocacy initiatives, regional public information programmes) and joint communications strategies in humanitarian contexts, leading common media and communications efforts, including common messaging and chairing a humanitarian communications group. Identifies sources and seeks funding and other assistance for major campaigns.
• Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of public affairs issues, methods, and approaches; on key media developments and appropriate approaches for media engagement to raise awareness of humanitarian needs and advocate timely and coordinated response; anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems  
• Develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of humanitarian advocacy objectives; serves as principal liaison to governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, etc.  
• Builds information networks; plans and oversees maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on humanitarian issues and joint activities of the humanitarian community; plans and develops strategic outreach activities.
• Manages publications programme; produces materials for print/electronic/voice/visual and social media outreach.  
• Leads day-to-day country or regional communications operations to include participating in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the unit, interpreting and disseminating policy, providing procedural advice, improving reporting systems, handling operational and administrative queries, preparing budget submissions, establishing and/or coordinating training programmes and monitoring and evaluating results.  
• Prepares or oversees preparation of a diverse range of information communications products in support of priority humanitarian initiatives. Drafts complex material for UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books and edits drafts prepared by junior officers. Evaluates results and impact of communications activities; reports on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN and the broader humanitarian community.
• Represents the institution in meetings and conferences; fulfils speaking engagements and makes presentations to groups on humanitarian activities and advocate issues of concern; organizes media coverage and arranges or conducts briefings, interviews; organizes seminars, lectures, conferences, media trips, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization.  
• May coordinate and direct a team of public information staff and/or mentor and supervise the work of junior officers on specific projects.

Requirements
Education:

• 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 two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required.
• Humanitarian experience in the field (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable.
• Experience with crisis communications is desirable. Experience in a humanitarian context in the UN Common System or other comparable international organization is desirable. Experience in the West and Central Africa region is desirable.