Senior Public Information Officer (Communication Deputy Director)

UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme

Nairobi, Kenya

Org. Setting and Reporting

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment. Our mission is to provide leadership and encourage partnership in caring for the environment by inspiring, informing, and enabling nations and peoples to improve their quality of life without compromising that of future generations. UNEP's Communication Division raises the organization's profile, informs policies and influences attitudes, behavior and decisions related to the environment worldwide. This position is located in UNEP's Communication's Division's global headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Under the supervision of the Director, Communication Division, and in close consultation with the Division's Chief of Operations, and UNEP's Executive Office, the incumbent will carry out the following duties:

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate UNEP's global strategic communication at corporate and programmatic levels.

Supervise the Communication Division's Section Chiefs, nurturing innovation, creativity and ambition to reach new audiences with world-class, science-based communication and advocacy;
Supervise media engagement, speeches and other public-facing communication for the Executive Director;
Oversee planning, implementation and monitoring of the Communication Division's work in the context of UNEP's Programme of Work and its Medium-Term Strategy;
Oversee the Communication Division's work and budget in accordance with the organization's rules. 5. Mobilize resources for the Communication Division and forge partnerships that amplify reach and impact;
Lead team members efforts to collect and analyze data and provides insight to identify trends or patterns for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. Ensures that everyone can discover, access, integrate and share the data they need;
Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Director;
Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Director.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. Ability to advise on high profile and sensitive communication challenges. Ability to assess world-wide communication environments, develop communication strategies and manage implementation of public information campaigns with various promotional and publicity techniques. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to present and defend difficult positions to senior officials. 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;
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;
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;
LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing;
MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills; monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in communications, public/business administration and management or in a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics or data science programs is desirable.

Work Experience

A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in journalism, communication and/or public-facing advocacy is required. At least four (4) years of experience in managing communication teams is required. At least three (3) years of experience in writing and editing of speeches, talking points and managing media engagement at a senior level is required. A minimum of two (2) years of cumulative experience, in the last five (5) years, in producing content for media, reports, multimedia, social media and/or similar mass communication on environmental or related scientific issues is required. At least three (3) years of experience working for an international organization is desirable. Experience in data analytics or related area is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable. NOTE: 'Fluency' equals a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (speak, read, write and understand) and 'Knowledge of' equals a rating of 'confident' in two of the four areas.

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