Publishing Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is dedicated to delivering innovative ideas and actions aimed at empowering and transforming Africa. Established to address the continent's unique challenges, ECA operates under the guiding principles of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Agenda 206

• The organization is committed to advancing its role as a premier knowledge institution, focusing on macroeconomic and structural policy options to foster economic diversification and job creation. ECA also emphasizes innovative financing models for infrastructure and human development, while advocating for Africa's position in global governance. The organization employs a diverse workforce and operates across multiple countries in Africa, contributing to regional solutions for peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and social inclusion.

Job Overview:
The Publishing Officer position is situated within the Publications, Conference and Knowledge Management Division, specifically in the Publications and Conference Management Section. The incumbent will report directly to the Chief of Production Services. The role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities aimed at implementing publishing and information programs that support priority issues and major events. This includes drafting publishing strategies, coordinating production efforts, and monitoring progress while analyzing outcomes. The Publishing Officer will also be responsible for promoting the dissemination of UN publications across various formats, including print, electronic, and multimedia. The position requires a proactive approach to engage with partners and clients, ensuring that the materials produced meet accessibility standards and adhere to UN branding guidelines. Additionally, the officer will oversee the production of diverse publishing products, from reports to interactive digital publications, while maintaining professional relationships with key stakeholders in the publishing process.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Publishing Officer will undertake a comprehensive set of duties, including:

• Implementing publishing and information programs to support priority issues and major events, which involves drafting strategies, coordinating production efforts, and monitoring progress.
• Analyzing current developments in publishing, design, and digital distribution to advise management on trends and appropriate actions.
• Promoting the dissemination of UN publications through outreach and distribution plans, engaging with partners, and consulting clients on design and production needs.
• Producing or overseeing the production of a variety of publishing and design products, ensuring they meet UN standards and accessibility requirements.
• Preparing initial drafts of content for UN publications based on official documentation and other sources.
• Maintaining professional relationships with authors, editors, translators, designers, and vendors.
• Acting as a focal point for specific publishing issues, monitoring developments, and responding to inquiries.
• Participating in the selection of information and materials for publication.
• Providing guidance and supervision to junior staff while contributing directly to design jobs and mentoring on publishing workflows. 1
• Collecting and analyzing publishing-related data to identify trends and provide insights for decision-making.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate a strong understanding of digital publications and possess proven abilities in producing interactive content. They should exhibit creativity in visual and multimedia presentations and possess analytical and problem-solving skills. The ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, and provide expert advice is essential. Candidates should show a commitment to gender equality and the equal participation of women and men in all aspects of work. Additionally, they must be able to analyze and interpret data to support decision-making processes and effectively communicate findings to management.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in publishing, print and media technology, multimedia design, communication, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree. Successful completion of degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science is considered an advantage.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in visual communications, including publications and print projects, is required. Candidates should have experience managing digital production and producing materials for interactive publications, such as videos and augmented reality products. Experience in multimedia storytelling and a year or more in data analytics or related areas is desirable.

Languages:
English is required for this position, while French is desirable. The United Nations Secretariat recognizes English and French as its working languages, and candidates must meet the minimum required level for each skill according to the UN Language Framework.

Additional Notes:
The job does not specify the contract duration or seniority level. It is important to note that the position may involve international recruitment, and details regarding compensation and benefits are not provided in the job description.