Posting Title: Public Information Officer, NOC
Job Code Title : Public Information Officer
Department/ Office : Regional Service Centre at Entebbe
Location : ENTEBBE
Posting Period : 18 October 2021-24 October 2021
Job Opening number : 21-PUB-RSCE-165826-J-ENTEBBE (M)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Org. Setting and Reporting

The Department of Operational Support (DOS) was established to provide end-to-end operational support, advisory services and other solutions to operating entities across the
Secretariat, including departments, offices away from headquarters, peace operations, and regional commissions.
The Regional Service Centre in Entebbe, Uganda (RSCE), was established in July 2010, following the adoption of General Assembly resolution 64/269. The Centre provides efficient, client-oriented and scalable services with the goal of moving transactional, non-location dependent administrative functions to the Centre from its client entities. This includes transactional elements of human resources, finance, multimodal movement and control, personnel and cargo transport and information and communications technology (ICT) support.
In addition to these services, the Office of the Chief RSCE and support offices through the
Deputy Chief RSCE provides overall guidance on the operations of the RSCE including strategic planning, communication, budgeting, human resources management, property management, quality assurance and business intelligence, conference services, record keepingand archive management, and audit response and risk management.
For more information, please visit https://rsce.unmissions.org.
This position is located in the Office of the Director RSCE in Entebbe, Uganda. The Public
Information Officer reports to the Chief of Communications 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.

Responsibilities
Main 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:
1. 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 publicperception 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.
• 2. 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 andcontent 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.
• 3. 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.
• 4. Implements communications strategies and activities
• Responsible for participating in the development and implementation of a strategy for mediarelations, 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;
• 5. 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.

Competencies
Professionalism:
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 stressfulsituations.
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.
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.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 impacton 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.

Education

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 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.

Job Specific Qualifications
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required.
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
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. Fluency in
English is required.
Assessment
Special Notice

This position is temporarily available for 6 months.
If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
This position is vacant due to the temporary assignment of the regular incumbent to another office/organization. Extension of appointment/assignment of the selected candidate will be contingent on the return of the incumbent who maintains a lien against this post. The selected candidate is expected to start as soon as possible.
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.
Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the
Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career
development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes,including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the
United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). In this context, all internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions established by the Secretary-General.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the Manual for the
Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right sideof the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided ininspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time)on the deadline date.