National Information Officer

National Information Officer

Org. Setting and Reporting:
This position is located in the United Nations Information Centre in Canberra (UNIC Canberra), within the Information Centres Service (ICS), Campaigns and Country Operations Division (CCOD), Department of Global Communications (DGC). The UNIC is part of the global network of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs), and UNIC Canberra is the principal source of information about the United Nations system in Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. It is responsible for promoting public understanding and support for the aims and activities of the United Nations by communicating the work of the UN to a local audience in local languages; engaging local and regional partners; and, overall, bringing the United Nations closer to the peoples it serves. The incumbent reports directly to the UNIC Director under the overall supervision of the Chief of ICS

Responsibilities:
Within delegated authority, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties: - In line with the Global Communications Strategy of the United Nations and the UN and UN country team (UNCT) branding strategy, supports the development and implementation of country-wide communications campaigns and activities targeted to local audiences. - Supports the design, implementation and monitoring of the UN joint communications strategy, which is aligned to the Global UN Communications strategy and based on the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework. - Supports UNIC's leading role on communications issues within the UNCT by convening and/or serving as the secretariat for the United Nations Communications Group (UNCG) at the country level in consultation with the UNIC Director and CCOD senior managers at UNHQ. - Provides substantive support on potential issues, concerns and risks related to communications and advocacy, and suggests corrective actions. - Supports the creation and dissemination of multimedia communications products as well as digital and social media products and activities in multiple languages. - Maintains the integrated UNCT website and social media accounts in English in line with UN Secretariat governance mechanisms, including those related to information security and using up-to-date social media and website practices. - Identifies and uses innovative communications tools and methods and keeps pace with emerging technology to garner the largest possible outreach and effectiveness of UN communications. - Drafts, at a high-quality level, in English, various print and digital communication products; engages in public speaking opportunities with media, partners and local interlocutors; and conducts educational outreach activities, including Model UN conferences. - Conducts media outreach, including by maintaining contacts with national and regional media in Australia and New Zealand, placing op-eds and arranging interviews, organizing press conferences and briefings and monitoring press coverage of UN issues. - Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies and partners at the national and regional level and undertakes joint strategic activities with them; facilitates dialogues with partners to improve public engagement and increase understanding about the UN's work in Australia and New Zealand. - Supports the UNIC Director in the day-to-day running of UNIC Canberra, including in the administration of the UNIC, the planning and management of its overall activities and operational requirements, as well as in monitoring the UNIC's output and reporting to DGC on a regular basis; may serve as a direct supervisor for some UNIC staff. - Performs other functions and special duties, as required by the UNIC Director and DGC senior management.

Competencies:
Education:
An advanced university degree (Master's or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in communications, journalism, public information or a related field is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor's degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification:
Not available.

Work Experience:
A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience, including experience in managing contacts and networking with the media, non-governmental organizations, government officials, international and national organizations, business groups, civil society, etc. in Australia is required. Experience in developing and implementing communications strategies is required. Experience in speaking to diverse audiences (e.g. general public, Government officials, special interest groups) is desirable. Experience in graphic design, website design and management is desirable. Experience working across multimedia platforms with traditional and digital media is desirable. Experience working with the United Nations or a comparable internati