Public Information Assistant (G6)

• Deadlines for application: 29 February 2012
• Date of issuance: 23 January 2012
• Organizational unit: Department of Public Information
• Duty station: Canberra

The United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) was established in Australia in November 1948.

Based in Canberra, it is the formal UN presence in Australia and the principal local source of information about the United Nations system.

Under the overall guidance of the Director of the UN Information Centre (UNIC), the Public Information Assistant will be responsible for the following duties:

Public Outreach

• Assists in the development and maintenance of close contacts with the media, Governments, NGOs, educational institutions, civil society and other UN partners in the work region.
• Identifies relevant UN material and press releases for targeted dissemination to the media and other relevant groups under guidance from the National Information Officer or the Director of the UNIC; assists with media coverage of important events.
• Assists with organizing and implementation of special events and information campaigns, coordinating with relevant UN partners and the media to highlight and publicize key activities such as the observance of special days/months/years and the launching of UN reports.
• Responds to incoming inquiries received via mail, email, phone and fax.

Internal Reporting / Support To UN Headquarters

• Assists the National Information Officer or the Director of the UNIC in producing required reports, such as the daily press review and headlines for UNHQ.
• Provides communications support to visiting UN officials by organizing press briefings, drafting press releases and backgrounders and monitoring media coverage.
• Manages, updates and further develops internal databases; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases as requested by UNHQ.

Publications/Website

• Assists in electronic outreach by updating the relevant content portions of the UNIC web site, including: the drafting and editing of content by identifying and preparing new material for posting after researching various information sources for relevant material and cross-checking information with author offices as required; editing documents to conform to UN format; structuring and preparing new pages, incorporating graphics/photos as needed; posting documents on the UNIC web site.
• Provides assistance (coordinating, proofreading, translating, printing, etc.) in the production and delivery of public outreach products and services in local languages.

General

Performs other duties as required.

Competencies:

• Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures related to the communication, production and dissemination of public information. Ability to research and gather information from a variety of sources. 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.

Qualifications:

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent.  Further studies or a degree in communications, marketing, journalism or a similar field high desirable.

Experience:

A minimum of 6 to 7 years of experience in public communication, international broadcasting or related area.  Experience within the UN System, Government agency or in international affairs is desirable.

Language:

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required.  Fluency (written and oral) in the official language of the duty station is required.  Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Other Skills:

Comprehensive writing skills for different formats including, briefing notes, press releases, speeches, new media and web writing and posting required.  Graphic design and other desktop skills highly desirable, including Photoshop and InDesign. Technical skills in visual media including photography and video desirable, including working with video and audio software.

Disclaimer: Please note that external candidates will be graded in accordance with the current recruitment guidelines.  This means that external candidates may be recruited at a lower level than that of the advertised level of the post.