Spokesperson & Head, Press and Media Unit, P-5
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS:	01 Jul 2006
DATE OF ISSUANCE:	02 May 2006
ORGANIZATIONAL UNIT:	United Nations Centre for Human Settlements
DUTY STATION:	Nairobi
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT NUMBER:	06-PUB-UN-HABITAT-408921-R-NAIROBI

Remuneration Depending on professional background, experience and family situation, a competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. More Info

United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity

Responsibilities This post is located in the Press and Media Unit, Office of the Executive Director as part of the Information Services Section at the UN-HABITAT headquarters in Nairobi. The incumbent's main functions shall include: To provide leadership and direction in the development of UN-HABITAT’s overall media and information policy, specifically for the development of a corporate image of the organisation. The main objective is to design high profile media and information strategies and ensure their successful implementation. Serve as lead spokesperson for the public profile of UN-HABITAT. Also to supervise directly the press and media work of UN-HABITAT including promoting joint public relations ventures with suitable media and other partners. Conduct sensitive political liaison work with a range of actors that includes contact with broadcast media, Non Governmental Organizations and diplomatic missions. Be available to provide a diverse range of materials (briefings, speeches, questions and answers) for senior officials. More specifically the job entails the following: 1. Provide the leadership and direction in the development and implementation of a comprehensive high-profile international media strategy to further the corporate image of UN-HABITAT as the lead agency in the implementation of the Habitat Agenda. Also develop and implement major public media strategies around substantive campaigns and projects for international and regional dissemination to targeted audiences and the general public. 2. Act as official lead spokesperson and, in the absence of the Executive Director, represent UN-HABITAT in interviews and other media related activities. This includes coordinating all representation of UN-HABITAT by its staff in international media activities. 3. Provide advice to the Executive Director and other senior Managers on strategic issues concerning media relations and public relations policy. This involves providing a wide range of materials (briefings, speeches, questions and answers) for senior officials. 4. Conduct sensitive political liaison work; create and maintain high level communication contacts with a range of actors that include the broadcast media, the press, governmental agencies, international institutions, non-governmental organizations and diplomatic missions. 5. Supervise the Press and Media Unit within the Office of the Executive Director in their daily work. This includes planning and allocating work; coaching, mentoring and evaluating staff; participating in recruitment and selection of new staff and in the development of training programmes. 6. Manage all press and media relations of UN-HABITAT. This includes development and implementation of global and regional media liaison; preparation and dissemination of press releases and media kits, organization of press conferences, media forums etc. Additionally it requires liaison with international, regional and national media and the organization of list servers and dissemination networks. 7. Represent the UN-HABITAT at international conferences and national meetings concerned with media. 8. Work closely with the Information Service Section and with all UN-HABITAT Divisions, Regional Offices and cross cutting programmes to build public awareness of UN-HABITAT’s activities with Habitat Agenda partners and the general public. This includes integrating the information and media activities of all Habitat Agenda partners into the Centre’s media and information campaigns. 9. Contribute to section and branch level reports, work programmes and budgets to ensure the smooth running of the press and media work. 10. With delegated authority from the Executive Director, design and implement fund-raising strategies for Press and Media activities.

Competencies 1. Professionalism - Ability to advise on and effectively manage high profile and sensitive communications challenges where inappropriate handling creates serious risk to the institution’s reputation; ability to develop and manage a sizeable public information program for a discrete unit, and to direct others in the execution of the total program; in-depth knowledge of political trends, public attitudes, local conditions and developments, and ability to build an effective communications strategy and program based on an assessment of different communications environments, and to adapt and be innovative as new communications challenges arise; ability to develop sophisticated, worldwide media campaigns with excellent promotional and publicity techniques. 2. Managing Information - Extensive experience and skill in managing high level communications with the media, Non Governmental Organisations, government officials, international institutions, business groups, etc.; discretion and sound judgement in applying expertise to highly complex and/or sensitive issues, which are typically broad in scope; strong negotiating skills and ability to influence others to reach agreement; proven record of building and managing teams and creating an enabling work environment, including ability to effectively lead, supervise, mentor, develop and evaluate groups of staff and design training/skills enhancement initiatives to ensure effective transfer of knowledge/skills. Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity. 3. Planning and organizing - Demonstrated planning and organization skills to effectively develop unit work program and ensure timely delivery of results. 4. Communication – highly developed communication (spoken, written, public speaking and presentational) skills, including ability to present and defend difficult positions to senior officials. Fully aware of all media technology development, proficient in computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, PowerPoint or equivalent, graphics software, internal databases, Internet, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education Advanced University degrees in International Relations and Political Science, International Development and International Communications and /or journalism or a first university degree with a relevant combination of professional and academic qualifications; Specialized experience in heading implementing public information activities also necessary.

Work Experience 10 years of progressively responsible professional experience in journalism, communications or public relations, including at least 5 years at the international level. At the international level, experience should have involved political judgement, environmental sensitivity and successful management of public information communications leading to high profile visibility. Other skills required include overall policy formulation and budget responsibilities; journalistic experience and/ or experience from conceptualising, managing and implementing major public information operations; Proven experience from intergovernmental work, external relations and from professional work with international organizations. Familiarity with or good knowledge of the UN system an important advantage.

Languages English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised fluency in oral and written English required. Knowledge of French and Spanish desirable.

Other Skills Experience of work within the UN system and /or other international organizations.

The United Nations shall place 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. (Charter of the United Nations - Chapter 3, article 8).   English and French are the two working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.  The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. PLEASE NOTE THAT APPLICATIONS RECEIVED AFTER THE DEADLINE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

How to apply All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement. Because applications submitted by United Nations (UN) staff members are considered first, provided the eligibility requirements set out in ST/AI/2002/4 are met and the application is submitted in a timely fashion, staff members should apply within 15-day or 30-day mark. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgement within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. In such cases, please go to “My UN” page and check the status of your application by clicking on “View Application History”, and resubmit the application, if necessary. To start the application process, applicants are required to register by opening a "My UN" account. Go to Login, and Register as a User. Fill in the form and choose a User Name and Password. After opening the account, applicants may apply for vacancies using the Personal History Profile (PHP) provided. Once the PHP has been completed for a particular vacancy, it can be saved and used for future applications. The PHP may be up-dated, when necessary, for future applications. In completing the PHP, please note that all fields marked with an asterisk must be completed. UN staff members must submit scanned copies of their two latest Performance Appraisal System (PAS) reports at the time of application to the appropriate Human Resources Office (HRO)/Personnel Office (PO) to the email address below, clearly indicating the vacancy announcement number. In case you have no access to the digitizing equipment, please submit hard copies of the two latest PAS reposts to the relevant HRO/PO via fax. E-mail: Recruitment@unon.org, Fax: 1-(254)-2-624-212 Please see the Frequently Asked Questions, if you encounter problems when applying. There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the process.