Public Information/ Communications Assistant, United Nations, 2024.

Communications Assistant

June 4, 2024

5 minutes read

Public Information/ Communications Assistant, United Nations,2024.

Organizational Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the Multimedia Resources Unit of the Audiovisual Services Section, within the Coverage and Media Services Branch, News and Media Division, Department of Global Communications (DGC). The Unit provides audiovisual library and archival services and distributes multimedia content to internal and external professional clients. It also offers design, development, and technical support for multimedia websites. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Multimedia Resources Unit.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Public Information Assistant is responsible for the following duties:

Information Communications Products and Services:
- Provide specialized assistance in producing and delivering information communications products and services, including research, retrieval, referral, distribution, and other services, in response to clients’ requests for digital files, analog records, and related supporting documentation.
Technical Operations Support:
- Support technical operations related to audio-visual archiving of audio, video, photo, and other multimedia assets to ensure they are complete, up-to-date, and consistent with AV archives standards and procedures for access and preservation.
Research and Compilation:
- Research a broad scope of information sources, both printed and electronic.
- Compile and present information for use in the preparation and production of communications products/services for external audiences.
Audiovisual Library Functions:
- Perform junior photo and audiovisual librarian functions, including provision of public information and library research services to requesters of audiovisual and photographic materials, and cataloguing/indexing those multimedia assets.
Distribution and Management:
- Oversee the distribution of audio and video materials.
- Ensure the good management of the film/video archives and the proper safekeeping/preservation of historical audio/visual materials.
Digitization and Metadata Management:
- Participate in planning and preparing legacy audiovisual records for digitization.
- Manage the ingestion of these records into the media asset management system (MAMS) and perform archival and metadata quality control functions.
Electronic Dissemination and Web Content:
- Assist in the electronic dissemination of programmes.
- Prepare, maintain, and update web pages, including drafting and editing content, uploading/downloading audiovisual files, and maintaining file structure.
Database Management:
- Manage updates and further develop internal databases.
- Update multimedia websites and generate a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases.
Guidance and Training:
- Provide guidance and training to junior staff.
Other Duties:
- Perform other duties as assigned.

Competencies

Professionalism:
- Knowledge of multimedia asset management and relevant information systems and networks.
- Understanding of policies, processes, and procedures related to communication, production, and dissemination of public information.
- Ability to research and gather information from various sources.
- Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter.
- Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Client Orientation:
- Considers all those to whom services are provided as “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 to keep informed and anticipate problems.
- Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects.
Technological Awareness:
- Keeps abreast of available technology and understands its applicability and limitations.
- Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks.
- Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in public information communications, audiovisual library and archives, or related fields.
The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five years for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.
Experience in database management systems, maintenance of websites where audio, video, and photo are the primary content, and web-based distribution media.
Experience with digital asset management systems.
Experience in non-linear digital editing systems and workflows is desirable.
Experience working with digital audiovisual and multimedia archiving formats and standards, metadata management, quality assurance, and preservation methods is desirable.
Experience in photo caption writing or related editorial/writing functions is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat.
For the post advertised, fluency in English is required.
Knowledge of another official United Nations language is desirable.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise and a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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, international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts.
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 activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). 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.
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. Evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.