Communications Officer

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Position Title: Communications Officer
Location: Beijing
Country: China
Deadline Date: Not specified

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) has been a trusted development partner of China for over 40 years, adapting its role from a traditional donor to a partner providing technical expertise and support. The UN Development System was reformed on January 1, 2019, to better align with the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN in China engages with various stakeholders, including the government, NGOs, civil society, and businesses, to create partnerships aimed at achieving the SDGs in line with national development priorities. The Resident Coordinator Office (RCO) in China coordinates the efforts of UN agencies, ensuring alignment with national priorities and international frameworks, and promotes collaboration across sectors to drive collective impact.

Job Overview:
The Communications Officer will report to the Head of the Resident Coordinator's Office and will be responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders, including UN agencies, government officials, civil society representatives, and media outlets. The role involves developing and implementing communications strategies that raise awareness and drive engagement with target audiences. The officer will draft narratives and messaging, conduct media outreach, plan events, and act as a spokesperson when required. The position requires a proactive approach to creating content that resonates across multiple platforms and channels, as well as monitoring and analyzing communications strategies to assess their effectiveness.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The incumbent will perform a variety of duties, including: providing insights from media monitoring to inform communications strategy; developing and implementing communications strategies; drafting narratives and messaging; conducting outreach to media outlets; planning and coordinating press events; acting as a spokesperson; creating optimized content for various platforms; producing communications products such as press releases and reports; developing strategic communications partnerships; engaging in outreach and advocacy strategies; creating content for UN radio channels; updating policy guidance related to communications; serving as a focal point for policy and reporting; monitoring communications approaches; and analyzing data to identify trends and provide insights.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a strong understanding of strategic communications principles and practices, with the ability to develop and implement effective communications strategies. Skills in communicating complex information to diverse audiences are essential. The role requires creativity in content development and a commitment to gender perspectives in all areas of work. Candidates should demonstrate professionalism, effective communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Educational Background:
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications is required. Candidates should demonstrate experience in developing and implementing communications strategies and possess the ability to communicate complex and technical matters effectively to diverse audiences.

Languages:
Fluency in oral and written English and Chinese is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. Fluency is defined as a rating of 'fluent' in all four areas (reading, writing, speaking, understanding), while knowledge is rated as 'confident' in two of the four areas.

Additional Notes:
This is a Temporary Job Opening for a duration of 364 days, with no expectation of renewal. The position is open to nationals of China only, and candidates must be of the nationality of the country where the position is located. If no suitable local candidate is found, nationals of China residing elsewhere may be considered, but they will be responsible for travel and relocation costs. The UN is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The recruitment process is free of charge, and the UN does not require any fees at any stage.