Public Information Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is a part of the United Nations system, established to promote and protect human rights globally. The OHCHR works to ensure that human rights are respected, protected, and fulfilled for all individuals, regardless of their background. The organization operates in various countries around the world, engaging with governments, civil society, and other stakeholders to advocate for human rights and provide support in implementing international human rights standards. The OHCHR is committed to fostering a culture of respect for human rights and aims to empower individuals and communities to claim their rights. The organization employs a diverse workforce of professionals dedicated to advancing human rights and operates in multiple languages to effectively communicate its mission and objectives.

Job Overview:
The Public Information Officer position within the Media Outreach and Spokesperson’s Office of the OHCHR in Geneva is a critical role focused on developing and producing high-impact multimedia content for the organization's social media platforms. The incumbent will be responsible for exercising journalistic and political judgment to make timely editorial decisions regarding the content published on these platforms. This role requires strategic planning and proactive outreach activities through social media campaigns, collaborating with the UN-wide social media presence to enhance the visibility and engagement of OHCHR's work. The officer will actively identify and maintain relationships with key stakeholders to contribute to the development and implementation of social media content that resonates with target audiences. The position also involves monitoring and evaluating the impact of social media initiatives, advising management on trends and opportunities, and ensuring a principled, data-driven approach to content creation. The officer will represent OHCHR in various UN social media communicators' groups and provide guidance to public information officers on effective social media usage to achieve human rights objectives.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Public Information Officer include: developing and producing multimedia content for social media platforms; exercising editorial judgment on content publication; planning and initiating outreach activities through social media campaigns; maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders; increasing OHCHR's social media following and engagement; promoting in-house social media usage; monitoring and evaluating social media content impact; conducting social listening and advising management on human rights issues; contributing to communications campaigns; representing OHCHR in UN social media groups; providing guidance to public information officers; advising management on strategic social media use; monitoring current events and public opinion; providing social media technical expertise; and delivering presentations and training.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of communications, public information, and social media management. They should demonstrate the ability to conceptualize and implement international social media campaigns, possess knowledge of human rights issues, and have the capability to analyze and resolve issues effectively. The ideal candidate will show professionalism, creativity, and technological awareness, keeping abreast of available technology and applying it to relevant tasks. They should also exhibit strong organizational skills, the ability to manage conflicting priorities, and a commitment to gender perspectives in their work.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, international relations, political science, public administration, or a related field is required for this position. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public information, journalism, public relations, or a related area is required. Candidates should have experience managing various social media platforms and ideally possess experience in human rights at the international level, preferably within the United Nations system or similar international organizations. Experience in disseminating news on social media and in monitoring, measuring, and analyzing social media results is also desirable.

Languages:
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, proficiency in English is required, with a minimum level of proficiency as per the UN Language Framework. Knowledge of French is an asset but not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for a minimum period of three months, with the possibility of extension subject to the availability of funds. The role is open to current staff members holding fixed-term, permanent, or continuing appointments, as well as external candidates. The United Nations is committed to diversity and encourages applications from women and underrepresented groups. The organization does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process and provides reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities upon request.