Spokesperson, P-5

MONUSCO - United Nations Organisation Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located within the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General. Under the guidance of the Head of Mission and in close collaboration with the Chief of Public Information, the incumbent will be based in Kinshasa and responsible for: Giving on record and background press briefings as well as interviews to national and international media; conceptualizing, developing, updating and executing a media strategy and work plan; advising the Head of Mission and senior leadership on media strategy and approach; developing and implementing a system of daily media monitoring and bulletins to meet the needs of the Head of Mission and senior leadership; drafting and issuing press statements and press releases; establishing and maintaining a cooperative relationship with local and international journalists; arranging interviews and/or background briefings with senior mission officials and facilitating the daily work of journalists covering the mission; facilitating media visits to the mission area; responding in a timely fashion to disinformation that could impact negatively on the public perception of the Mission and/or the mission’s leadership; producing and sharing key messaging.

Responsibilities

Media relations including: Giving on-record and background press briefings and interviews to national and international media; conceptualizing, developing, updating and executing a media strategy and work plan, including utilizing digital and multimedia platforms as part of the strategy; advising the Head of Mission and senior leadership on the media strategy and approach; developing and implementing a system of daily media monitoring and bulletins to meet the needs of the Head of Mission and senior leadership; drafting and issuing press statements and press releases as necessary; establishing and maintaining a cooperative relationship with local and international journalists; arranging interviews and/or background briefings with senior mission officials and facilitating the daily work of journalists covering the mission; facilitating media visits to the mission area; responding in a timely fashion to disinformation that could impact negatively on the public perception of the Mission and/or the mission’s leadership; conceptualize and implement timely communication strategies in reaction to crisis situations.
Coordinate activities and share guidance with relevant departments and units at UNHQ and regional offices.
Maintain close contact by sharing information and coordinating messaging with the leadership and all components of the Mission, Agencies, Funds and Programmes, the United Nations (UN) Country Team and the UN Country Group, and to keep abreast of all substantive and strategic issues.
Produce and share key messaging, press activities and guidance with other sections of the Public Information Unit as part of daily functions as well as to fulfill strategic objectives and implement the relevant parts of the Mission’s overall communications plan.
Ensure that, in addition to traditional media sources, messages are distributed utilizing digital and social media including such platforms as websites, Facebook, Twitter and emerging interactive platforms.
As directed, provide support to other work streams of Public Information Unit, notably internal communications and external campaigns, including review and clearing of internal communications platforms such as iSeek and POINT stories for the Mission.
Represent the mission in public forums, conferences and events and fulfill speaking requirements.
Liaise with counterparts in the Government and diplomatic community, local authorities, civil society, media associations and other key constituencies to ensure key messages are conveyed and support communications campaigns. Management, including: participating in recruitment, supervision and evaluation of staff as appropriate. Design, submit and allocate budget as appropriate; identify extra-budgetary funding and resources in support of communications activities and forge external partnerships; Managing a team of media relations staff to respond to the specific conditions of the mission, including coordinating functions such as media accreditation, news monitoring and analysis of media trends and responding to media and public inquiries.
Develop and implement a capacity-building plan for media relations staff, especially national staff, where appropriate. Advise and support mission leadership in media skills development, as appropriate.
Perform other duties, as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism

Political acumen. Knowledge of different aspects of public information and communication. Knowledge of programme planning and related management practices as well as familiarity with UN administrative procedures, rules and regulations, specifically human resources, budgetary and procurement matters. Ability to address a range of issues in the context of political developments, public attitudes and local conditions. Ability to advise on high profile and sensitive communication challenges. Ability to lead crisis communications in a complex operating environment. 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. Ability to hold press conferences & handle media review & interviews professionally. 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.

Judgement/Decision-making

Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. 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.

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.
Builds consensus for task purpose and direction with team members.
Supports and acts in accordance with final group decisions, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position.
Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in communications, journalism, international relations, broadcasting, social sciences or other related fields. A first level university degree combined with additional two years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience

At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public information, or media, including management, in large multicultural institutions, sensitive and complex settings is required.
Experience working as a journalist is required.
Prior experience as Spokesperson in the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.
Providing services in the field of strategic communications, public information, or media to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable.