This position is located in the Country Office Afghanistan (COAFG) of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Kabul, Afghanistan. The incumbent will work under the overall supervision of the UNODC Representative in Afghanistan.
For more information on UNODC, please visit the following website: www.unodc.org
Within assigned authority, the Public Information Officer will be responsible for the following specific duties:
• Contribute to and coordinate the production of social media content for the Office's accounts (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Flickr) in support of information programmes and campaigns to publicize the mandate; coordinate, monitor and report on social media account progress with all relevant partners and through analytics in order to take appropriate follow-up action and advise on outcomes;
• Support the implementation of information programmes and campaigns to publicize priority issues and/or major events, including drafting information strategies, implementing actions, coordinating efforts, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analyzing the outcome;
• Contribute to the design and production of content for the UNODC COAFG website and ensure the website is regularly updated;
• Support and coordinate the production of short video products and video news releases to be distributed online and through other vehicles as appropriate;
• Contribute to the production of communication products, press releases and human interest stories with an emphasis on digital material, including undertaking research, determining appropriate medium and target audience, writing drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing and editing texts;
• Collaborate closely with the headquarters Advocacy Section, including by attending the monthly UNODC Communications Network meetings and separate trainings; providing relevant input to the monthly planning calendar and other initiatives as required and in line with the UNODC Communications Action Plan;
• Contribute to drafting and editing concept notes and proposals, with an emphasis on ensuring clear, concise and impactful message;
• Provide support with donor reporting, matching donor needs, and showcasing UNODC COAFG's work;
• Coordinate with media focal personnel of other UN organizations in Afghanistan and promote UNODC mandate through partnerships/coordination;
• Coordinate the production of monthly / bi-monthly COAFG newsletter and disseminate using the appropriate channels;
• Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting;
• Perform other work-related duties, as assigned.
Professionalism: Has knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes. Has good research, analytical and problem-solving skills. Has knowledge of specialised tools and software for quantitative data analysis. Has ability to determine suitability, validity and accuracy of data provided by different sources. Is able to establish effective relationships with external. Is able to identify issues, formulate options and make conclusions and recommendations. Has ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Has ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Has knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues. Has ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. 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.
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, international relations, social sciences or other related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible international work experience in journalism, communications, press, media production or related fields is required.
Work experience in the production of social media content is required.
Work experience in developing communication products, press releases and/or human interest stories with an emphasis on digital material is required.
Work experience in project management and reporting is desirable.
Work experience in drafting concept notes and fundraising proposals is desirable.
Work experience with the United Nations system and/or a similar international organisation is desirable.
Work experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.
For this position, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.
This temporary position is currently available for a period of 11 months. Actual filling of this position and actual duration of the assignment is subject to availability of funding. If the selected candidate is an internal staff member of the United Nations Secretariat, the Selection may be administered as a temporary assignment.
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.
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.
At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.
Kabul is classified in the E category (non-family duty station).
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 side of 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 in inspira 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.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.