DIRECTOR, INFORMATION CENTRE

This position is located in the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in
Cairo, within the Information Centres Service (ICS) of the Strategic
Communications Division (SCD) of the Department of Global Communications
(DGC).

The UNIC is part of the global network of United Nations Information Centres
(UNICs), and UNIC Cairo is the principal source of information about the
United Nations system in Egypt; it provides strategic communications services
to Saudi Arabia. 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 UNIC Cairo is integrated with the Resident Coordinator
Office (RCO) in Egypt since the operationalization of the United Nations
development system reform on ‎1 January ‎2019.

The incumbent is under the general supervision of the Chief of ICS and reports
directly to the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Egypt.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the incumbent is responsible for the following
duties:

• Lead, supervise and carry out the work programme of the centre; undertake or oversee the programmatic and/or administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of a large multi-country information centre, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, recruitment of staff and evaluation of staff performance;


• Manage, guide, develop and train staff under his or her supervision in Egypt and the work region; foster teamwork and communication among staff in the information centre and across organizational boundaries.


• In line with the Global Communications Strategy for the United Nations, conceptualize, design and execute the programmes and activities in Egypt, based on strategic documents provided by the UN Country Team (UNCT), Department of Global Communications and Development Coordination Office; lead and supervise the development and implementation of high profile multimedia strategic communications campaigns as well as oversee digital and social media content and activities in multiple languages and in coordination with DGC UNHQ teams as needed; develop a network of effective digital influencers and opportunities for cross-promotion on issues of common interest; develop outreach to key target audiences, including youth; set quality and production standards for information dissemination; approve the preparation, from research to publication, of UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books; supervise the creation and maintenance of networks of high level communications contacts with members of the media, governmental agencies, international organizations, civil society, educational institutions, and members of the creative community in the work region; and lead and supervise the assessment of the overall effectiveness of the communications strategy and programmes.


• Provide substantive support to the Resident Coordinator in adapting and localizing UN global communications and thematic advocacy priorities.


• Provide substantive support to the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team (UNCT) in designing, implementing and monitoring the UN joint communications strategy, promoting the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF) as a key instrument for planning and implementing UN development activities, in support of the implementation of the ‎2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.


• May serve as UN spokesperson in Egypt on highly complex communications issues in coordination with the Resident Coordinator; liaise with national and international media on UN activities and programmes related to Egypt as well as on global UN issues and campaigns; organize and chair press briefings and media stakeouts; issue press releases and media statements; assist the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team members with their media engagements.


• Plan and facilitate the development and implementation of a digital content strategy for UNCT websites and social media and contribute to the development of key UNCT communications and advocacy products. Manage the UNCT Egypt digital communications platforms such as the website, official social media accounts, intranet and online collaboration platforms.


• May oversee the drafting and review of a wide range of communications products - such as speeches, statements, articles, op-eds, and other major written contributions in support of national and regional outreach, including by the Resident Coordinator in Egypt.


• Provide diverse communications materials and technical and policy advice on highly complex communications issues related to the operation of the centre and/or related to the work region to the Resident Coordinator and the Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications and other UN senior officials; provide UN Headquarters with media reports regarding highly complex conditions and public attitudes towards the UN in the work region; ensure that the policies and activities of the UN are communicated accurately and promptly, within highly complex political, substantive and/or operational situations, to the national authorities.


• In close coordination with the Resident Coordinator, may conduct highly sensitive political liaison in Egypt and the work region; lead and supervise activities to promote and coordinate the communications aspect of visits by the Secretary-General, UN senior officials, and/or UN delegations to Egypt and the work region.


• Ensure that the outputs produced by the centre maintain high-quality standards and comply with the relevant mandates of DGC and that reports are clearly written, timely, objective and based on comprehensive data; report to intergovernmental bodies on programmatic and/or substantive issues, as appropriate, particularly those presented in biannual and/or annual reports; and present position papers and reports to intergovernmental bodies, as appropriate.


• Lead and manage the coordination of the work of the UN Communications Group (UNCG) by serving as Chair of the UNCG; build and maintain information networks with UNCG members; provide feedback from the UNCT to the UNCG for strategic alignment and fine-tuning of the work of the UNCG; manage the promotion of joint communications activities between DGC and UN System entities in Egypt and the work region; and conceptualize a strategy for strengthening the communications impact of the UN in Egypt.


• In coordination with the Resident Coordinator, lead and provide crisis communications support to the RCO, the UNCG and other UN system entities in Egypt.


• Supervise the organization of meetings, seminars, and other fora related to the communications aspects of thematic issues in the work region; in matters related to communications, lead international, regional or national meetings, supervising programmatic and/or substantive and organizational discussions with representatives of other institutions; represent the information centre at international, regional or national meetings and at UN interagency meetings, seminars on thematic issues.


• Ensure appropriate tools and methods are in place and used to measure and evaluate the impact of communications activities with timely reports to UN Headquarters.


• Lead or support and guide the work of the UNCG and provide oversight of digital and social media content, as well as guide and train communications staff. As required and in consultation and coordination with the Resident Coordinator, provide policy advice on highly complex communications issues, conduct highly sensitive political liaison, lead and provide crisis communications support and supervise activities to promote and coordinate the communications aspect of UN high-level visits.


• May provide the above services in support of communications activities in consultation and coordination with Resident Coordinators in the work region and specifically in respect to Saudi Arabia.


• Build and strengthen synergies with other DGC field offices, RCOs and UNCTs in the region/sub-region.


• Perform other duties and special functions, as required by UN Headquarters and the Resident Coordinator in Egypt.
  Competencies
  PROFESSIONALISM: Demonstrated knowledge of audience-focused strategic
  communications and crisis communications and public information techniques;
  proven ability to implement effective media campaigns and to develop
  traditional and digital media products and activities targeting the media;
  ability to identify communications opportunities and problems and to
  articulate these to clients. Ability to advise on communications challenges,
  assess communications environments, develop and execute communication
  strategies and thematic advocacy in the work region with various promotional
  techniques. Ability to make decisions with an eye to the impact on others and
  on the Organization and to apply 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.

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.

ACCOUNTABILITY: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours
commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within
prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with
organizational regulations and rules; supports subordinates, provides
oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments; takes personal
responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where
applicable.

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.

MANAGING PERFORMANCE: Delegates the appropriate responsibility, accountability
and decision-making authority; makes sure that roles, responsibilities and
reporting lines are clear to each staff member; accurately judges the amount
of time and resources needed to accomplish a task and matches task to skills;
monitors progress against milestones and deadlines; regularly discusses
performance and provides feedback and coaching to staff; encourages risk-
taking and supports creativity and initiative; actively supports the
development and career aspirations of staff; appraises performance fairly.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in journalism,
communications, public information, international relations or a related field
is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of
qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university
degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of ‎15 years of progressively responsible experience, including five
years at the international level, in communications, journalism, international
relations or related area is required.

Experience developing and executing strategic communications, including
multimedia campaigns and crisis communications, public speaking, and working
in and with traditional and digital media is required.

Experience in resource administration, including budget preparation, human
resources management and/or conflict management and resource mobilization is
required.

Experience supervising an office, unit or section (of at least ‎5 people)
within the United Nations common system or a comparable international
organization is desirable.

Experience with the political, social, and economic context of Egypt and the
sub-region of responsibility is desirable.

Experience working in communications in the United Nations common system or a
comparable international organization is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations
Secretariat. For this post, fluency in English and Arabic are required.
Knowledge of other UN official languages is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which
may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
Appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of
one year.

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.

For this position, applicants from the following Member States, which are
unrepresented or underrepresented in the UN Secretariat as of ‎30 April ‎2021,
are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and
Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, China,
Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Dominica, Equatorial
Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People's
Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg,
Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia,
Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Republic of Korea,
Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino,
Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Suriname,
Timor-Leste, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States
of America, Vanuatu, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.
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.

The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer, or promotion of
staff shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency,
competence, and integrity. By accepting an offer of appointment, United
Nations staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General
and assignment by him or her to any activities or offices of the United
Nations in accordance with staff regulation ‎1.2 (c). In this context, all
internationally recruited staff members shall be required to move periodically
to discharge new functions within or across duty stations under conditions
established by the Secretary-General.

Applicants are urged to follow carefully all instructions available in the
online recruitment platform, inspira. For more detailed guidance, applicants
may refer to the Manual for the Applicant, which can be accessed by clicking
on "Manuals" hyper-link on the upper right side 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.

Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at ‎11:59 p.m.
(New York time) on the deadline date.
No Fee
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT
PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED
NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS' BANK ACCOUNTS.