COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

Org. Setting and Reporting

The mission of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa; informed by the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063. The mission is guided by ECA's five new strategic directions, which are advancing ECA's position as a premier knowledge institution that builds on its unique position and privilege to bring global solutions to the continent's problems and take the local solution to the continent; developing macroeconomic and structural policy options to accelerate economic diversification and job creation; designing and implementing innovative financing models for infrastructure and for human, physical and social assets for a transforming Africa; contributing solutions to regional and transboundary challenges, with a focus on peace security and social inclusion as an important development nexus; advocating Africa's position at the global level and developing regional responses as a contribution to global governance issues. African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (AIDEP), a subsidiary and training arm of ECA, is headed by a director and is accountable to the deputy executive secretary (programme support). It is responsible for strengthening African countries' development planning and improving their capacity to formulate and manage effective public sector policies for structural transformation and sustainable development. The core functions of AIDEP are as follows: a) Deliver training on sectoral, national, and regional development and medium to long-term planning to address the socioeconomic impact of emerging crises, based on updated content on risk-informed economic and social policy formulation and management b) Promote peer learning and collaboration among African development planners through communities of practice, and broaden access to the digitized knowledge repository of the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning c) enhance countries’ capacity to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and Agenda 2063, and national development agendas d) Foster knowledge generation, cross-fertilization, and knowledge-sharing through research products, fellowship programmes, development seminars, and high-level policy dialogues, as well as research networks spanning multiple African countries, consisting of universities, think tanks, Member States, United Nations country teams, and regional stakeholders e) Support the integration of a gender perspective and youth-related issues in all relevant public policies through capacity-building programmes that also consider social inclusion, entrepreneurship, employment, and green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication, innovation, and digital transformation This position is located in the eLearning and Knowledge Management Section of the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (AIDEP) at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) in Dakar, Senegal. The Communication Officer reports to the Senior Programme Officer.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Communication Officer will be responsible for the following duties • Enhances AIDEP's digital presence by developing and implementing comprehensive digital communication strategies, including social media campaigns and online content management. • Promotes AIDEP's training programs and capacity-building initiatives, focusing on development planning, policy formulation, and sustainable development. • Disseminates research findings and policy recommendations through various communication channels, including digital platforms, to support AIDEP's knowledge-sharing objectives and its role as the custodian of the Economic Commission for Africa's (ECA) School of Thought and Practice • Ensures implementation of information programs to publicize priority issues and/or major events, including drafting information strategies, coordinating efforts, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analyzing the outcome. • Monitors and analyzes current events, public opinion, and press, identifies issues and trends, and advises management on appropriate action/responses. • Undertakes activities to promote media coverage (e.g. press conferences, interviews, press seminars, and other special activities) of priority issues and/or major events, including the development of a media strategy and action plan, initiating proactive media outreach efforts, proposing and arranging press conferences/media coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with the 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 a specific type or types (e.g. print, broadcast, etc.) of information communications products (e.g. press kits, press releases, feature articles, speeches, booklets, brochures, backgrounders, audio-visual materials, radio spot program, etc.), to include proposing topics, undertaking research, determining appropriate medium and target audience, preparing production plans, writing drafts, obtaining clearances and finalizing texts, editing copy, and coordinating design approval, printing procedures, and distribution. • Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies, including member states, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, expert-level focal points at ECA headquarters and its sub-regional offices, journalists, media networks, and other strategic partners and institutions. This involves proactive outreach, collaboration, and information sharing to foster effective partnerships and support AIDEP's objectives. • Acts as a focal point on specific issues, monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc. • Develop and manage crisis communication strategies to address and mitigate potential reputational risks, ensuring timely and effective responses to emerging issues. • Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies. • Provides guidance to, and may supervise more junior staff. • Collects and analyzes data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables, and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting. • Ensures that requirements, and background information used for data analysis are documented.

Competencies

Professionalism: Knowledge of the full range of communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to planning and executing effective campaign strategies and programmes, e.g. campaign management, media operations, marketing and promotion, audience outreach, and message targeting. Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. Ability to identify public affairs issues, opportunities, and risks in an international environment. Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive situations with target audiences and cultivate productive relationships. Knowledge of relevant internal policies and business activities/issues. Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style. Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences. 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. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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.

Education

Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with additional two years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Successful completion of both degree and non-degree programs in data analytics, business analytics, or data science programs is an advantage.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related areas is required. At least two years of experience in developing and executing strategic communication plans is required. Demonstrated experience in managing digital communication platforms and tools, including content management systems and social media analytics is required. Experience in designing and implementing advocacy campaigns that align with IDEP's mission of sustainable development and policy transformation is desirable. 2 years or more of experience in data analytics or related areas is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in both English and French is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

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. An appointment or assignment against this position is for an initial period of one year. The appointment or assignment and renewal, therefore subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval, or extension of the mandate. This position is subject to local recruitment under staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Regulations and Rules. All staff in the General Services and related categories shall be recruited in the country or within commuting distance of each office, irrespective of their nationality and of the length of time they may have been in the country. A staff member subject to local recruitment shall not be eligible for the allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. Internal Applicants – When completing the Candidate Profile form, ensure ALL fields, ALL professional experience, and contact information are completed and up to date. This information is the basis for the hiring manager to assess your eligibility and suitability for the position and to contact you. 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. All applicants are strongly encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the job opening has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the job opening. Online applications will be acknowledged where an email address has been provided. If you do not receive an e-mail acknowledgment within 24 hours of submission, your application may not have been received. If the problem persists, please seek technical assistance through the Inspira "Contact Us" link.

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. 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.