Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Public Information Officer Jobs in Ethiopia
Org. Setting and Reporting
The position is located in the Operations and Advocacy Division (OAD), Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is the part of the United Nations Secretariat responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies.
OCHA also ensures there is a framework within which each actor can contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA’s mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors in order to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention and facilitate sustainable solutions.
This position-specific job opening is being advertised for the position of Public Information Officer in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Under the overall supervision of the Head of Office, OCHA Ethiopia, the incumbent reports to the Deputy Head of Office.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Public Information Officer will be responsible for the following duties:
Manages reporting and analysis, by establishing and maintaining reporting system within the country; oversees drafting and distribution of regular reports on the humanitarian situation; ensures flow of information and analysis of humanitarian developments in the country/region, including tracking trends and sharing reports with senior humanitarian leadership, HQ, and key partners.
Takes the lead in strategy, strategic planning, development and implementation of large, complex communications campaigns (e.g. global advocacy initiatives, regional public information programmes, launch of HRP) and joint communications strategies in humanitarian contexts, leading common media and communications efforts, including common messaging and chairing a humanitarian communications group under the HCT/HC guidance and priorities. Identifies sources and seeks funding and other assistance for major campaigns.
Provides technical and policy advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of public affairs and humanitarian issues, methods, and approaches; on key media developments and appropriate approaches for media engagement to raise awareness of humanitarian needs and advocate timely and coordinated response; anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems.
Support resource mobilization efforts for the OCHA office for the humanitarian response in Ethiopia.
Assess the overall effectiveness of the public information strategy and programmes and make needed changes in approach and technique.
Develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of humanitarian advocacy objectives; serves as principal liaison to governmental bodies, national groups, private sector organizations, educational organizations, international organizations, etc.
Prepares or oversees preparation of a diverse range of information communications products in support of priority humanitarian initiatives. Drafts complex material for UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books and edits drafts prepared by junior officers. Evaluates results and impact of communications activities; reports on developments, trends and attitudes regarding the UN and the broader humanitarian community.
Represents the institution in meetings and conferences; fulfils speaking engagements and makes presentations to groups on humanitarian activities and advocate issues of concern; organizes media coverage and arranges or conducts briefings, interviews; organizes seminars, lectures, conferences, media trips, public events on major issues and events concerning the organization.
Builds information networks; plans and oversees maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on humanitarian issues and joint activities of the humanitarian community; plans and develops strategic outreach activities in collaboration with the communication groups in lines with the HCT priorities and guidance’s. Manages publications programme; produces materials for print/electronic/voice/visual and social media outreach.
Leads day-to-day country communications operations to include participating in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the unit, interpreting and disseminating policy, providing procedural advice, improving reporting systems, handling operational and administrative queries, preparing budget submissions, establishing and/or coordinating training programmes and monitoring and evaluating results. May coordinate and direct a team of public information staff and/or mentor and supervise the work of junior officers on specific projects.
Leads and manages a team of public information and reporting staff; plans and allocates work assignments; coaches, mentors and evaluates staff; participates in recruitment, selection and training of new staff and in the development of training programmes.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge and understanding of humanitarian, emergency relief assistance and related humanitarian issues. Ability to identify issues, analyze and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Ability to develop sources for data collection. Conceptual analytical and evaluative skills to conduct independent research and analysis, including familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the internet, intranet and other databases.
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.
Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks “outside the box”; takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Education
An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with an additional two (2) years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required.
Humanitarian experience in the field (actual setting where a mission and/or project is being implemented) in emergency situations (complex emergency or natural disaster) is desirable.
Experience with crisis communications is desirable.
Experience in a humanitarian context in the UN Common System or other comparable international organization is desirable.
Experience in the Southern and/or Eastern Africa region is desirable.
Languages
French and English are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another UN official language is desirable.
How to Apply
For more information and job application details, see; Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Public Information Officer Jobs in Ethiopia
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