United Nations Associate Experts Programme. Code#: INT P V. Submitted by: Name: Nick Birnback. Title: Chief, Public Affairs Section

Size: px
Start display at page:

Download "United Nations Associate Experts Programme. Code#: INT P V. Submitted by: Name: Nick Birnback. Title: Chief, Public Affairs Section"

Transcription

1 United Nations Associate Experts Programme Code#: INT P V Submitted by: Name: Nick Birnback Title: Chief, Public Affairs Section Duty Station: New York, United States of America Agency/Unit: DPKO-DFS, Office of the Chief of Staff, Public Affairs Section I have no objections to share my contact information with the candidate/donor Signature: I agree Date: Mandatory for field positions: please indicate an HR focal point/ administrative contact person in the field duty station Name: Evelyn Pana Title: Human Resources Officer, DPKO-DFS, Office of the Chief of Staff, Executive Office pana@un.org Approved by (If different from above): Name: David Penklis Title: Executive Officer, DPKO/DFS Executive Office Duty Station: New York Agency/Unit: DPKO-DFS, Office of the Chief of Staff, Executive Office penklis@un.org Signature: Date: 1

2 United Nations Associate Experts Programme TERMS OF REFERENCE Associate Expert (JPO) INT P V Please indicate if this ToR supersedes a previously submitted ToR for the same position: NO I. General Information Title: Associate Expert in Communications (PAS/OCOS) Sector of Assignment: Communications Organization/Office: Department of Field Support / Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Office of the Chief of Staff Duty Station: New York, United States of America [Non-Family Duty Station: / no ] Date Required: As soon as possible Duration: 1 year (with possible extension for another year) [Extension of appointment is subject to yearly review concerning priorities, availability of funds, and satisfactory performance] II. Supervision Direct Supervision by: Paul Keating Title of Supervisor: Team Leader of DFS Global Field Support Strategy 2

3 Content and Methodology of Supervision: Establishment of a Work Plan: During the first month of the assignment, the Associate Expert will work jointly with his/her direct supervisor to finalize an agreed upon work plan. The final work plan will be discussed and mutually agreed to by the Associate Expert and his/her supervisor and used as the basis for continuous performance management. Evaluation: The United Nations Performance Evaluation System (e-performance) will serve as a primary platform to evaluate the Associate Expert s performance. The system is based on an agreed work plan and regular performance discussions as well as bi-annual performance reviews. The first reporting officer of the Associate Expert will be the Team Leader of the DFS Global Field Support Strategy Team and the Second Reporting Officer will be the Chief of the Public Affairs Section (PAS). The Associate Expert can expect weekly meetings with the supervisor and a quarterly performance dialogue. III. Duties, Responsibilities and Output Expectations Under the direct supervision of the Team Leader of the DFS Global Field Support Strategy Team, and under the overall guidance of the Chief of Public Affairs Section, the Associate Expert will: Contribute to the development, coordination and monitoring of strategic communications on field support change initiatives and the implementation of the field support mandate. In particular the Associate Expert will: o Contribute tothe development of a communications strategy and plan (internal and external) for field support, including key messages and define target audiences in consultation with PAS; o Lead the development, drafting design and production of internal and external information communications products/publications both visual and print, such as fact sheets, quarterly updates, news stories, client awareness and satisfaction surveys etc. o Work closely with missions to increase visibility of DFS work and coordinate with colleagues in the field to ensure regular supply of high quality and timely communication products. o Collect content, both qualitative and quantitative, for the purposes of developing key messages for internal and external audiences, such as member states, TCCs/PCCs, special committees etc. o Update and manage when appropriate online internal and external platforms (website, intranet, social media accounts, etc.). o Developing multimedia products for web and social networking platforms, including video and photo projects. o Determine effective channels for dissemination of all information products to relevant target audiences identified and monitor distribution in coordination with PAS. o Promote information sharing. o Support corporate survey and strategic communication initiatives. Contribute to any other communications tasks and perform other duties as required with respect to communications for United Nations field support. IV. Qualifications and Experience Education: Advanced university degree (Master s degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field. Work Experience: Two years of experience in communications, public information, journalism, media or related area. Field experience, particularly in conflict or post-conflict settings, an advantage. Experience in working with statistics and in quantitative analysis an advantage. Languages: Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat. For this duty station, English (both oral and written) 3

4 is required; knowledge of French is highly desirable. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage. Other Skills: Excellent writing skills and proficient at producing both traditional and new media content, including social media engagement. Professional knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud and a technological background in one of the fields below is required: web design/development, desktop publishing, information design data visualization or database applications. Knowledge of geographic information systems is an advantage, as well as quantitative analysis skills. UN Competencies: PROFESSIONALISM: Has knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective communication strategies and programmes. Is able to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style and to review and conduct presentations. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience needs; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. TEAM WORK: 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; Manages time efficiently. CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things. V. Learning Elements On completion of the assignment, the Associate Expert will have/be able to: Sharpened communication skills and gain expertise on UN communication considering different target audiences and key messaging through the development of communication strategy and plan for corporate-wide communications for field support. Improved drafting, design and distribution of communication materials via a variety of media Improved development, design and production of content for communication platforms Work and thrive in an international and multilingual work environment Gained in-depth knowledge of the UN and in particular DFS-- understanding the sensitivities, challenges and opportunities and of communication work Improved reporting and analysis skills by working on corporate surveys and other relevant projects. VI. Background Information 4

5 Within the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Departments of Field Support (DFS) and Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), the Public Affairs Section, supports both external and internal communications for peacekeeping missions led by the DPKO, as well as other field missions supported by DFS. PAS has identified the requirement to provide additional support to the Department of Field Support and the United Nations field support community of 17,000 field support personnel globally. The Department of Field Support (DFS) provides support services for 16 peacekeeping missions and 21 political and other field missions. It administers an authorized budget of $9.3 billion and 175,000 mission personnel. To enable the achievement of military and civilian mandates, DFS delivers air and ground transport support, facility management and engineering, supply chain management, human resource management, finance and budget services, as well as communications and information technology. DFS is undergoing significant and ongoing change management that will impact all field missions and counterparts such as TCC and PCC. Enhanced internal and external communication on United Nations field support issues is important to support change management internally and to inform and educate and build constituency among external stakeholders. This position, managed by the Public Affairs Section of DFS-DPKO, will provide direct support to the Office of the Under-Secretary-General for Field Support, which is charged with the strategic management of DFS and oversight of all global field support operations. The position will provide the dedicated assistance of a communications expert to support both internal strategic change messaging to the global field support and wider peacekeeping community across 35 field presences, as well as public communications to a range of priority external stakeholders. Organigramme (basic): DPKO/DFS Executive Office Under-Secretary-General for Field Support Office of the USG Global Field Support Strategy Team Sen. Leadership Appointment Section Field Procurement Policy Team Operational Support Team Assistant Secretary-General for Field Support Office of the Director Global Service Centre Field Personnel Field Budget and Finance Logistics Support Information and Communication Tech. 5