Special NoticeStaff 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.
Org. Setting and ReportingThis post is located in the French Unit, Meetings Coverage Section, Press Service of the News and Media Division. Overall guidance is provided by the Chief of Section, and direct supervision by a Senior Editor. The Meetings Coverage Section produces an array of essential materials for the media, delegations and the general public, in English and French, including comprehensive. Summaries of official meetings at Headquarters and at overseas conferences,as well as press releases and backgrounders on various issues and events and other information products. The Section disseminates speeches and statements of the Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General, and information on the Secretary-General's official activities. It issues English verbatim transcript and French summary of the daily briefings of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General. It produces press releases and backgrounders on behalf of the substantive departments of the Secretariat and United Nations system offices, issues biographies of new permanent representatives and senior officials, and produces the annual round-up of the work of the Security Council and of the main session of the General Assembly.
ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Press Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
- Covering meetings of the General Assembly and its Main Committees, as well as the Security Council and other major bodies of the United Nations, as a member of a two-person coverage team that produces a speaker-by-speaker account of the meeting topped by a lead that summarizes the proceedings and highlights the most newsworthy aspects.
- Covering such meetings alone, occasionally, when such single coverage is decided upon by an editor; the selected candidate must be able to take statements from the floor by listening to a speaker and summarizing what is being said while the meeting is in progress.
- Covering press conferences given by top United Nations officials, Member States and non-governmental organisations and summarizing them, highlighting the most newsworthy elements.
- Researching, summarizing and preparing, on the basis of official UN documentation and other sources, drafts of backgrounders on specific topics or themes related to major meetings or conferences.
- Travel to cover major UN conferences and meetings away from Headquarters.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
CompetenciesProfessionalism – Ability to cover meetings of the General Assembly, Security Council and other United Nations bodies, and produce a clear, concise, mistake free speaker-by-speaker account(s) of meetings; ability to create a lead, summarize the meeting and highlight the most newsworthy elements; possess sensitive understanding of a wide-range of political issues and how United Nations writing about such issues must be perceived by all sides as fair and objective; ability to research and analyze complex international issues and quickly grasp their essentials; ability to meet daily news deadlines and work well under stress. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas.
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.
Teamwork – Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent degree) in communication, journalism, international relations or related area. 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 ExperienceA minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public relations or a related area is required. Experience in an international organisations is desirable. Experience covering meetings and press conferences by following the proceedings, taking notes of the discussions and writing summaries is desirable.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position fluency in both French and English is required.
AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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, including but not limited to, respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to, whether they have committed or are alleged to have committed criminal offences or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
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.
Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants may refer to the At-a-Glance on "The Application Process" and the Instructional Manual for the Applicants, which can be accessed by clicking on “Manuals” hyper-link on the upper right side of the inspira account-holder homepage.
The screening and 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, including but not limited to, their education, work experience, and language skills, according to the instructions provided on inspira. Applicants will be disqualified from consideration if they do not demonstrate in their application that they meet the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations. Applicants are solely responsible for providing complete and accurate information at the time of application: 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 a reference-checking process to verify the information provided in the application.
Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at midnight (New York time) on the deadline date.
