Chief of Service, Public Information and Strategic Communication

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) within the Public Information and Strategic Communication Division with duty station, Kinshasa. The Chief of Service, Public Information and Strategic Communication reports directly to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG). ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Chief of Service, Public Information and Strategic Communications Division (SCPID), will be responsible for the following duties: Lead the substantive work program of the SCPID of the Mission • As a member of the Mission Leadership Team, serve as principle strategic communications adviser to the Mission and to the SRSG and report to him/her on issues related to communication activities and programs and media strategy and policy. • Formulate, implement and manage the Mission's integrated public information and communication strategy, covering the Mission's internal and external strategic communications activities; develop, integrate and manage all SCPID units, encompassing all media including multimedia (including radio, television, web and social media, photo, print and media relations); lead on effective tracking and response to mis and disinformation aimed at the harming the credibility of the Mission, oversee effective public outreach to key audiences; develop external communications partnerships; ensure a proactive and integrated approach to Mission communications; highlight the positive work of the Mission through character-led, data- driven stories which promote a positive but realistic image; • Lead the Mission's digital media strategy, including strategies to respond to mis and disinformation; oversee all digital channels; promote a multidisciplinary, story-telling approach to communications work; • Ensure a strategic communication approach by directing the work of all SCPID components with other Mission components, UN agencies, funds and programmes and external partners; oversee monitoring and evaluation of all communications strategies; • Mitigate reputational risk by identifying strategic issues, opportunities and risks and promote an engagement-driven and proactive general approach to communications; ensure on-record and background briefing of local, regional and international journalists from traditional and new media outlets; • Supervise the Chief of Radio Okapi, the radio's transition strategy post MONUSCO, and donor relations. Resources and Administrative Management • Ensure oversight and administration of SCPID, including planning and managing the budget, preparing annual cost estimates and monitoring and adjusting budget allocations and expenditures as required; apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines and prepare reports or rationales on key administrative decisions; • Supervise recruitment for the Division, including the recruitment of staff, services and consultants to ensure delivery of objectives, while seeking a diverse blend of skills and experience that match the strategic direction of the Organization; manage, guide, develop and train staff; foster teamwork and communication among staff and across the Mission; • Supervise procurement of public information equipment, supplies and services; ensure fair and open competition processes to gain best possible price while meeting quality, quantity and time requirements and adhering to relevant UN rules and procedures; • Lead the planning of the Mission's public information and communications activities, including the allocation of financial and human resources; regularly assess and review programs and activities to ensure alignment with public information strategy; monitor and adjust planning and activities as necessary to meet the desired goals; • Drive the strategic development, execution and measurement of the Mission's public information and communications activities by identifying opportunities and mitigating risks by defining and enforcing clear direction and policy for the Mission; build the Mission's brand by devising a growth and engagement strategy; stay up to date on new developments in digital and social media platforms and promote a technology-friendly environment that is innovation-focused encouraging public information team and Mission as a whole to make use of relevant platforms, social media and mobile and digital technology. Media Relations, Partnerships, and Advocacy • Build new partnerships with media outlets, the host country, Government, civil society, UN agencies, funds and programmes, and INGOs and NGOs as well as the diplomatic community in order to generate support for Mission objectives; • Develop strategic partnerships with international, national and local peers to raise visibility and understanding of the Mission's work; • Represent the Mission in diverse public fora; organize and participate in events including symposiums and seminars to advocate for the Organization's priorities and issues; • Supervise the organization of media and press events including field visits, conferences and high-level official visits; • Ensure regular interaction with partners and grow network of media contacts to influence and improve relationships and build on long-term strategic partnerships with media organizations. Advise Mission leadership and other Mission personnel on strategic communication matters • Draft Mission's public information and strategic communication plan and policy documents; provide advice and inputs for Mission leadership interactions with key stakeholders and ensure regular and timely sharing of information; • Oversee Mission interaction with local, regional and international media; guide the Mission's crisis communication activities; • Represent and serve on Mission Leadership Team. • Provide inputs to interagency communication campaigns and ensure all public information products and outputs meet high-quality standards and are in accordance with UN policy objectives, rules and regulations; provide UN Headquarters communication entities with regular updates on Mission activities and in crisis situations. Lead the development of institutional public relations and communication policies • Ensure representation in internal and external communication bodies, committees and meetings including the UNCG and ensure that the Mission communications strategy and public information campaigns are harmonized with overall goals and objectives of the UN and the Departments of Peace Operations and Operational Support; • Liaise with counterparts in the Government and diplomatic community, local authorities, civil society, media associations and other key constituencies to ensure support for communications campaigns and Mission objectives; • Develop and maintain strong relationships with key policy makers and partners, including senior-level officials of host government and representatives of civil society organizations, think-tanks and the academic community, private corporations and the media to promote the work of the Mission. CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the digital media environment and communications, with a focus on innovation using digital media, social media, emerging media technologies and optimization of content. Ability to produce reports and papers on technical issues and to review and edit the work of others. Knowledge of web optimization and analytics. Ability to manage change with large digital media teams. Ability to apply UN rules, regulations, policies and guidelines in work situations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, 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. TECHNOLOGICAL AWARENESS: Keeps abreast of available technology; Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office; Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks; Shows willingness to learn new technology. CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be \"clients\" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. JUDGEMENT AND DECISION/MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; gathers relevant information before making a decision; considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; checks assumptions against facts; determines the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. LEADERSHIP: Serves as a role model that other people want to follow: empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in one or more of the following: strategic communications, communications, public relations, international relations, broadcasting, new media or other relevant disciplines such as social sciences, political sciences, business administration or management. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceAt least 15 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public information, or media, including management, in large multicultural institutions is required. At least five years of experience with implementing crisis communications techniques and strategies is required. Demonstrated experience in managing digital and social media techniques and tools is required. Experience working in responding to mis and disinformation with a range of social media tools is desirable. Experience in partnerships, donor relations and securing funding for proposals is desirable. Experience in programme planning and related management practices, as well as familiarity with UN administrative procedures, rules and regulations, specifically human resources, budgetary and procurement matters is desirable. Experience providing services in the field of strategic communications, public information, or media to or in a field operation of the United Nations Common System or a comparable international organization is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and French are 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).