UN Communications Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict (OSRSG-CAAC) is dedicated to addressing the issues faced by children in armed conflict situations. Established under General Assembly Resolution 51/77, the office operates under the mandate to promote the protection of children affected by armed conflict. The office works in collaboration with various UN bodies and NGOs to foster international awareness and action regarding the rights and well-being of these children. The OSRSG-CAAC is committed to ensuring that the voices of children are heard and that their rights are upheld in conflict situations. The office is staffed by a team of professionals who are dedicated to this mission and work across multiple countries to implement its objectives.

Job Overview:
The UN Communications Officer will play a crucial role in the planning, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of communications strategies aimed at promoting the protection of children affected by armed conflict. This position requires a proactive approach to building awareness of CAAC issues and fostering international networking and collaborative action. The Communications Officer will work closely with the Senior Political Affairs Officer and the Under-Secretary-General for CAAC to develop advocacy and communications strategies that align with the office's objectives. The role involves producing and editing content for the office's website, drafting speeches and public information materials, and advising on effective communication tools to achieve advocacy goals. The incumbent will also be responsible for managing the office's communications budget and ensuring that all communications efforts are impactful and aligned with the office's mission.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Communications Officer will be responsible for the following duties:

• Collaborate with UN/DGC to develop an advocacy and communications strategy for the Office, forging partnerships with other UN communications offices and NGOs.
• Create a work plan to implement the strategy and monitor its impact.
• Produce and edit content for the Special Representative's website, ensuring it is focused, specific, and up-to-date.
• Draft speeches, talking points, and public information materials that align with the office's policy and advocacy objectives.
• Plan and monitor the communications budget, preparing terms of reference for technical resources and consultants as needed.
• Advise the USG/CAAC on effective communication tools, including press briefings and media interviews.
• Support outreach strategies to enhance the office's visibility and impact.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong knowledge of information integrity risks, including misinformation and disinformation, particularly in fragile and post-conflict environments. They should have a deep understanding of current and emerging digital media platforms and trends. The ideal candidate will demonstrate professional competence, efficiency in meeting commitments, and a commitment to gender perspectives in their work. They should also be able to analyze and interpret data to support decision-making and effectively communicate findings to management.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field is required. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of an advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or a related area is required. Candidates should have experience in building and managing networks to advance advocacy goals in multilateral settings, as well as experience in translating complex political or conflict-related subjects into public communications. Experience in public and media relations is essential, and familiarity with web-based communication technology and new media strategies is desirable. Experience in armed conflict or peacekeeping settings, as well as within the United Nations system or international organizations, is also advantageous.

Languages:
English is required for this position, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level III in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. French is desirable, with a minimum proficiency level of UN Level I in all language skills.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for an initial period of three months, with the possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. This temporary job opening may be limited to 'internal candidates' who have been recruited through a competitive examination or selection process. The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, and reasonable accommodation may be provided for applicants with disabilities upon request.