Spokesperson for the Secretary-General

Job Posting Organization:
The Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General is part of the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG) of the United Nations. This office is responsible for providing information to the media about the activities of the UN system as a whole. It engages in daily briefings, responds to media inquiries, and organizes press conferences and interviews with senior UN officials. The office aims to ensure that the Secretary-General is informed about major breaking news stories globally and works to align the UN family with the Secretary-General's vision and policies. The EOSG emphasizes efficiency, competence, integrity, and gender and regional balance among its staff, operating as a cohesive team to support the Secretary-General's priorities.

Job Overview:
The Spokesperson for the Secretary-General plays a crucial role in managing communications and media relations for the United Nations. The incumbent will be responsible for in-depth coverage of specific regions and thematic issues related to the UN's work, particularly in peacekeeping and peacebuilding. This position requires monitoring political, social, economic, and humanitarian developments, responding to media inquiries, and drafting communications for the Spokesperson's daily press briefings. The role also involves establishing contacts with various UN departments and agencies to gather information and provide media advice. The Spokesperson must anticipate questions and prepare responses for press encounters, and may travel with the Secretary-General as needed. The position demands a high level of professionalism, communication skills, and the ability to work under pressure while maintaining a clear focus on the UN's mission and values.

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

• Conduct in-depth and daily coverage of a specific region or thematic issue related to the UN's program of work, acting as a focal point for monitoring and reporting on developments.
• Select stories for inclusion in the 'Spokesperson's alert and daily headlines' distributed to senior UN officials.
• Draft notes for the Spokesperson's daily press briefing and maintain the website with daily summaries.
• Create the 'Week ahead' product to inform journalists about noteworthy upcoming events at the UN.
• Establish and maintain contacts with desk officers in various UN departments to gather relevant information and provide media advice.
• Follow security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Security Council deliberations related to the incumbent's area of responsibility.
• Conduct on and off-the-record interviews in English and/or Spanish as required.
• Anticipate questions and draft corresponding answers for press encounters.
• Be available to travel with the Secretary-General and participate in the roster of late duty officers in the Office.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a refined news sense and a broad knowledge of current affairs and UN policies. They should have the ability to identify public affairs issues in a politically sensitive environment and handle sensitive situations diplomatically. The role requires the ability to produce various written communications quickly and clearly, work under pressure, and maintain maturity and political judgment when representing the Secretary-General. Candidates should also demonstrate the ability to build trust with the media and anticipate their needs, ensuring gender perspectives are incorporated into all areas of work.

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

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, or media relations at the national or international level is required. Candidates should have experience in a news environment, such as a wire service or newspaper, and experience dealing with the press is desirable. Experience working in an international organization or government, particularly in a UN communications environment, is also preferred. Additionally, experience in political analysis and generating content for social media platforms is beneficial.

Languages:
Fluency in English is required, as well as proficiency in Spanish. Knowledge of one of the other UN official languages is desirable. The working languages of the United Nations Secretariat are English and French, making proficiency in these languages advantageous for candidates.

Additional Notes:
This position is temporarily available for 364 days, with the possibility of renewal subject to the availability of the post or funds. The selection process will be administered as a temporary assignment for current UN staff members. The United Nations is committed to achieving gender balance and encourages female candidates to apply. The organization emphasizes diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all employment decisions are made based on qualifications and organizational needs. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for applicants with disabilities during the recruitment process.