- Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
- This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. All staff in the General Service and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
- Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test in English at the United Nations Headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia; or the United Nations Accounting or Statistical Assistant Examination at the United Nations Headquarters may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
This position is located in the Spanish Language Unit in the Web Services Section, News and Media Division of the Department of Public Information. The incumbent reports directly to the Chief of the Spanish Language Unit. The Web Services Section (WSS) oversees the design, development and presentation of the top layers of the UN website in all six official languages, including the homepage, the five thematic portals (Peace and Security, Development, Human Rights, Humanitarian Affairs, and International Law), as well as comprehensive background information about the UN such as global issues, and events, including international observances. The Section also provides guidance and assistance to Secretariat offices in creating and enhancing their websites in all official languages. WSS promotes best practices for web development and other Internet-related activities, including multilingualism, usability and accessibility for the disabled. WSS also maintains social media accounts for the United Nations in five official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish).
Under the direct supervision of the Chief of Web Services Language Unit, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties:
- Actively participate in the development of the UN Home Page in collaboration with other Web Services Section staff in a language- and deadline-oriented environment, as well as prepare new material for inclusion in appropriate web pages; conceptualize and create dynamic web pages- draft, edit, design and update web pages as needed and provide specialized editorial, design and programming assistance in the oversight and maintenance of the materials posted in one or more of the UN official languages; and undertake search functions to compile relevant information pertinent to the site, as required, by: a) researching for original and/or new UN documents or information material for the particular language site; b) cross-checking with author Offices for authoritativeness of material; c) identifying pertinent documentation from the Official Document System in the required language; overseeing the linking of documents; determining appropriate categorization and adding appropriate language title information; d) editing externally translated material as needed, to conform to format and structure consistent with the style developed for the UN website, and preparing and incorporating graphics as required, using appropriate web authoring tools, and creating necessary Javascript, ASP scripts, and/or Cascading Style Sheets (CSS), in keeping with the Technical Guidelines; e) providing short informal translations, as necessary; f) preparing and updating index of documents, as well as posting documents by accessing the UN web and/or development servers and ensuring the documents are posted in appropriate directories; g) ensuring correctness of entries and making corrections; editing as needed; and updating information, such as official names of countries, membership of UN bodies, etc.; h) checking and testing to ensure multiple browser support; i) resolving day-to-day questions in relation to the production process for web pages.; j) developing tailored templates for content management systems and creating workflow structures to ensure data integrity and site efficacy; k) providing first line user level support for home page CMS; l) coordinating updates to UN home page, including multimedia.
- Take the lead in preparing new websites by: a) styling content and adding functionality to websites, as the English site is populated first and is then localized into the other languages; b) preparing videos for embedding on the website and creating closed captions from the script; c) maintaining and developing the Member States database; d) helping to gather and analyze user requirements for new projects.
- Monitor the work of other general service staff, consultants, interns and volunteers assigned to the website by: a) supervising other language assistants and volunteers and/or interns and provide training to them, when required; b) checking the redesign of web pages to incorporate user-friendly changes; c) checking hyperlinks to the site.
- Develop and maintain working relationships with DPI and Secretariat staff who produce original content for the UN site and work with them, as well as assist the Website Editors/Language Coordinators in providing training on the web to UN Missions, journalists and others, by: a) providing support services in preparation of material for posting, such as conversion to HTML, ASP; b) providing briefings, demonstrations, as needed; representing the Section; c) providing training on the web to UN Missions, journalists and others.
- Analyse weekly statistics on web page usage in order to assess usefulness and relevance of material posted, prepare charts and graphs and track and maintain weekly tally of page views, user tracking, feedback.
- Handle urgent functions and tasks during the absence of the Website Editor/Language Coordinator. Perform weekend and holiday standby duties as required. Attend training courses to keep abreast of Internet technology.
Professionalism: Ability to design and maintain a large website in Spanish; Knowledge of design and encoding of web pages; Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; Ability to work accurately and under pressure in a small team. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; Remains calm in stressful situations.
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.
Technological Awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology; Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
High school diploma or equivalent.
A minimum of seven (7) years of relevant experience in public communications, web design, website production, front end web/usability design or related area is required. Experience in designing and developing interactive web features is required. Experience working with Content Management Systems (CMS) such as WordPress, Drupal, and Adobe suite of design tools such as Photoshop is desirable. Experience producing responsive web designs with a mobile first approach is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and Spanish are required. Knowledge of another UN official language is an advantage.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
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.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (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.