This post is located in the Sales and Marketing Section, Outreach Division, DPI. The Sales and Marketing section (United Nations Publications) works to promote United Nations' knowledge, communication, and outreach objectives by publishing, selling, distributing, and licensing print and electronic publications, periodicals and databases that disseminate United Nations' knowledge, studies and data. It publishes titles aimed at a broad public, as well as provides electronic products and services for individual customers and institutions. The Section designs and implements the overall marketing strategy for United Nations Publications; promotes the United Nations brand; drives demand for UN publications; fosters strategic relationships with co-publishers, book and e-book sellers, and providers of technology services to the publishing industry; participates in industry conferences and exhibits at major book fairs worldwide. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Section.
Under the supervision of the Chief of the Sales and Marketing Section, the incumbent:
•Plans, manages, reviews and evaluates print and digital production, distribution and fulfillment operations, publishing systems and customer service for United Nations publications. Ensures timely and efficient delivery of content to all platforms through optimized use of resources and carefully coordinated workflows;
•Plays a key role in shaping digital publishing strategy, advising on development of new products and designing workflows, proposing new channels of distribution and formats according to knowledge of current and forthcoming publishing technology and best practices. Develops and implements operational plans for digital distribution of content through various online sales channels;
•Provides guidance to and supervises the Unit's staff members, coordinating their work and allocating resources with a view to achieving efficient and effective results;
•Analyzes and provides reports on publishing operations, sales activities and inventory transactions using data from in-house publishing systems and in coordination with external partners. Consolidation and analysis of sales and inventory reports;
•Develops and implements print-on-demand plans for UN publications;
•Prepares and maintains requirements, specifications and procedures for electronic publishing and e-commerce functions;
•Drafts technical specifications and provides project management and oversight for maintenance and development of publishing systems;
•Develops and implements recommendations to improve productivity, quality, and efficiency of operations;
•Keeps abreast of current industry trends and technologies in publishing operations and technology, and maintains professional relationships with the publishing community;
•Performs other tasks as required.
Professionalism:
Knowledge of the book publishing industry, especially electronic, in particular distribution and back office activities. Ability to oversee electronic product development, including content and requirements analysis and preparation of project definition documents. Knowledge of best practices in creating and maintaining book and e-book metadata. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to understand and draft technical documents related to publishing practices and standards. Demonstrated knowledge of current and new digital publishing standards and practices is required, e.g. file formats such as XML and ePub and digital identifiers such as DOI’s. 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. Ability to rapidly analyse and integrate diverse information from varied sources.
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; uses time efficiently.
Technological Awareness:
Keeps abreast of available technology; understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office; actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; shows willingness to learn new technology.
Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in administration, management or related field. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in the specified fields with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in publishing logistics, print and electronic distribution is required. Experience in digital product development, including content and requirements analysis, and project definition documents, is desirable. Experience in metadata and information management is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of at least one other official UN language is desirable.
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which will be followed by competency-based interview
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.
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.
For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of 30 September 2017, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belarus, Belize, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, China, Comoros, Cyprus, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Viet Nam.
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 or sexual abuse, or crimes other than minor traffic offences, 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.
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 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.