UN News Stringer (Kiswahili)

Job Advertisement

Position Title: UN News Stringer (Kiswahili)
Location: New York City
Country: United States
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The United Nations (UN) is an international organization founded in 1945, currently comprising 193 member states. Its mission is to promote peace, security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security, and cooperation among nations, addressing global challenges such as human rights, climate change, and sustainable development. The UN operates in various countries around the world, employing thousands of individuals across diverse fields, including communications, humanitarian aid, and development. The UN News Section is part of the Department of Global Communications, which aims to inform and engage the public on UN activities and initiatives through various media channels.

Job Overview:
The UN News Stringer (Kiswahili) position is designed to enhance the storytelling capabilities of the UN News Language Units by producing and submitting multimedia content in the Kiswahili language. The role involves creating a maximum of five approved multimedia packages that reflect local voices and field-based narratives related to UN activities, particularly focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), human rights, and climate issues. The stringer will work closely with the relevant Unit Chief to discuss and plan the production of quality content, ensuring that it aligns with UN priorities and resonates with the target audience. This position is expected to last for a maximum of six months and will require the stringer to be based in Uganda, where they will gather stories and produce content that can be disseminated through various UN platforms.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Individual Contractor shall: • Liaise with the relevant Unit Chief to discuss and plan producing quality multimedia (text, audio, and video) content on various issues in order to provide field-based narratives in relation to UN priorities, campaigns and news developments in the target audience region, with the possibility for other languages to version the regional story; • Pitch story ideas and agree with commissioning office on timelines and content to be produced, incorporating a range of storytelling approaches appropriate for both news and social media platforms. May produce content on UN conferences or campaigns, as commissioned by UN News; • Research content from verifiable sources, write stories and scripts, edit, and create multimedia (audio/video/photo/text) stories for UN News language platforms, consistent with global priorities, featuring local angles, and with special attention to beneficiaries and target audiences; • Coordinate technical arrangements and organize interviews in the countries of assignment, as required; • Follow UN News guidelines, ensuring basic editorial clarity and sound political judgment, due diligence regarding permissions and copyright, including written approvals for photos and video content, especially where minors are concerned; • Possess well-rounded experience in broadcast/digital journalism and multimedia production, in the assigned languages. Skills in video production will be highly desirable. Ability to produce material in English or other UN News languages will also be desirable. • References are required and work samples may be requested. • If registration or accreditation of journalists is required by national/local authorities, proof of registration/accreditation should be provided.

Required Qualifications:
High school diploma or equivalent is required. A first-level university degree in communication, journalism, video production or related field is desirable. A minimum of two (2) years experience in broadcast/digital journalism in the assigned language(s) is required. Experience in full range of production of multimedia features is required. Experience in video production, filming and editing video material, is desirable. Experience in recording and editing audio material is desirable. Experience in digital content publishing, and incorporation of photos and graphics is desirable.

Educational Background:
The position requires a high school diploma or equivalent as a minimum educational qualification. However, a first-level university degree in communication, journalism, video production, or a related field is considered desirable. This educational background is essential as it provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for effective communication and multimedia production, which are critical for the role of a UN News Stringer.

Experience:
Candidates must have a minimum of two (2) years of experience in broadcast or digital journalism, specifically in the assigned language(s). This experience should encompass a full range of multimedia production, including the creation of text, audio, and video content. Additionally, experience in video production, filming, and editing video material is highly desirable, as is experience in recording and editing audio material. Familiarity with digital content publishing and the integration of photos and graphics into multimedia features is also beneficial for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in Kiswahili is required for this position, as it is the primary language of content production. Additionally, knowledge of English and other UN official languages is desirable, as the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat include English and French. Proficiency in these languages will enhance the stringer's ability to produce content that meets the diverse needs of the UN's global audience.

Additional Notes:
This position is located within the UN News Section of the News and Content Branch, part of the News and Media Division (NMD) in the Department of Global Communications (DGC). The agreement for this role is for a maximum duration of six months. It is important to note that due to the high volume of applications received, only successful candidates will be contacted. Furthermore, the United Nations does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, or training. Applicants should be aware that the UN does not request information regarding bank accounts.