Org. Setting and Reporting
The News Section produces daily news and feature stories, programmes, special series and creates audio content using live and recorded audio from meetings and events, and multimedia pieces for the UN News digital platform, incorporating audio and video elements, as well as social media content. Through these products UN News provide daily and weekly content in nine (9) languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, Russian and Urdu). This position is located in the News and Content Branch, News and Media Division (NMD) of the Department of Global Communications (DGC). The Public Information Officer reports to the Chief of the Unit.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority and depending on location, the Public Information Officer under the direct supervision of the Chief/Officer-in-Charge of UN News, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties:
Monitors, and analyzes current events, public opinion and press, identifies issues and trends and advises management on appropriate action/responses; writes, produces multimedia feature stories for posting on the UN News websites covering the global activities of the United Nations system.
Carries out and undertakes activities (photos, videos and audio) to promote media coverage (e.g. major conferences, events, campaigns, interviews, press seminars and other special activities) of priority issues and/or major events, to include development of a media strategy and action plan, initiating pro-active media outreach efforts, proposing and arranging press conferences/media coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage.
Produces or oversees production of multimedia feature stories that incorporate original video clips embedded video from the wider UN system, and other visuals for the story a specific type or types (e.g. print, broadcast, etc.) of information communications products (news stories, multimedia feature materials on UN activities system wide for posting on the UN News websites in relevant language, covering the global activities of the United Nations, in keeping with editorial guidelines
conducts interviews, gathering audio and video material, undertaking digital editing and programming, podcasts and feature stories, ensures timely and accurate coverage of key United Nations developments at Headquarters and around the world, including through regular weekend duty shifts and evenings as needed, prepares content for sharing across news platforms, and that it is social media friendly for social media dissemination and helps implement strategies to build audiences across diverse demographics to include proposing topics, undertaking research, determining appropriate medium and target audience, writing drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, editing copy, and posting on UN News websites and related social media websites for distribution.
Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, initial drafts of articles for inclusion in UN News websites.
Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies.
Acts as focal point and as media contact person on selected stories, identifies spokespeople at UNHQ and in the field, on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc.
Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies.
Provides guidance to, serves as Officer-in-Charge, in absence of Chief/OIC and may supervise, more junior staff.
Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Skills in digital journalism for audio, video and online news production purposes, political awareness, judgment and solid knowledge of international current affairs. Possesses research and analytical skills. Ability to make effective on-air presentations. Shows pride in work and in achievements. Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in observing deadlines and achieving results. Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.
Remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
PLANNING & ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public relations or related area is required. Journalistic experience working in Urdu in a global news environment with a wire service, online news or broadcast news outlet, international multilingual news organization handling digital news is required. Experience writing news and feature stories in Urdu to multiple daily deadlines, conceptualizing and producing multimedia feature materials is required.
Experience in the technical aspects of multimedia production, such as creating audio clips and creating short news video pieces, is required. Experience managing social media platforms and compiling website and social media analytics is desirable. Experience in identifying or creating infographics and appropriate visual content (photos and videos) related to UN News coverage, or the news service of a comparable international multilingual news organization is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Urdu is required. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).
Required Languages
Language | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking
English | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III
Urdu | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III | UN Level III
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
This temporary position is available until 31 December 2026 with a possibility of extension. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary General and to assignment by him or her. In this context, all staff are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff.
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position.
Individual contractors and consultants (Non-Staff Personnel) who have worked within the UN Secretariat in the last six months, irrespective of the administering entity, are ineligible to apply for professional and higher temporary or fixed-term positions and their applications will not be considered. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity.
All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
NOTE: While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
This temporary job opening may be limited to "internal candidates," who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply.
(a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and
(b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service.
United Nations Considerations
According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.
The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions.
The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment.
Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process.
By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised.
This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening.
No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2
(a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2.
(c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.