Job: Communications Officer

Location: Cairo 
Deadline: Saturday, 19 October 2013 

Description

UNAIDS is an innovative United Nations partnership that leads and inspires the world in achieving universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support.

UNAIDS' Cosponsors include UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP, UNDP, UNFPA, UNODC, UN Women, ILO, UNESCO, WHO and the World Bank. Visit the UNAIDS Web site at www.unaids.org

Vacancy No.: UNAIDS/13/FT67

Title:

Communications Officer, Cairo

Grade:

P4

Contract type:

Fixed-Term Appointment

Duration of contract:

2-year-appointment

Date:

19 September 2013

Application Deadline:

19 October 2013

( )

Organization unit:

AI/PRG Programmes (AI/PRG), AI/RSC Regional Support Team, Middle East and North Africa (AI/RSC)

Regional Support Team, Middle East and North Africa, Cairo, Egypt

Duty station: Cairo Egypt

MANDATE OF THE DEPARTMENT:

The mandate of the Regional Support Team is to provide leadership and coordinate support for an expanded UN System response to AIDS at regional and country levels. Promote, support and provide guidance to the UN System in the region on the 2011 Political Declaration; Targets and Commitments, Universal Access to HIV prevention, treatment care and support implementing the Global Task Team recommendations. Coordinate the development of strategic information and document the trends on the epidemic and the response. Provide intellectual leadership on the status of AIDS response in the region. Provide managerial support and technical advice and guidance to UNAIDS country offices. The position reports directly to the MENA Regional Director.

Main tasks and Responsibilities of the Position:

Under the overall supervision and the guidance of the RST Director, the incumbent will:

• Coordinate, develop and implement a communications strategy at the regional level. Provide guidance and support for country communication strategies and activities focused on creating a higher profile for UNAIDS issues and UNAIDS within the region.
• Provide guidance and support to Country offices for a communication assessment and analysis leading to the development of a national communications strategic plan to promote, mobilize and empower the population on HIV prevention. This should address key issues namely stigma, discrimination and gender inequality; drivers of the epidemic.
• Lead and manage press conferences and line up interviews with UNAIDS officials. Develop press and other background materials including Q&A's, key messages and talking points. Organize briefings with UNAIDS officials, advising them on key issues. This includes media management and crisis communication.
• In collaboration with the Communications team at UNAIDS HQ, manage media outreach for UNAIDS on a regular basis, including maintaining contacts with journalists, lining up interviews for senior UNAIDS staff and proposing story ideas at international, country and regional level.
• Develop and pitch different news stories in mainstream media on UNAIDS covering at least each of the countries within the region/sub-region (UNAIDS does not pay for story placement in the media).
• Undertake a range of writing assignments including key messages, talking points for national and international press events and interviews.
• Manage communications for high level, high profile trips to the region including planning media visits and management of production of multimedia materials.
• Provide strategic guidance to Country and Regional offices in the implementation of their communications strategy. Plan, through training of communications staff, production and sharing of information materials and support for special events. Source external professional assistance (consultants) as and when needed.
• Profile documents and write feature stories, press releases, statements, briefings and case studies for the UNAIDS web site and key publications on issues concerning the region.
• Develop media partnerships with mainstream media in the region, including developing networks, programme partnerships and media related policies around AIDS related issues.
• Develop and capitalize on a MENA web page, social media and networking opportunities to showcase HIV issues within the region.
• Work with the HQ Communications department on showcasing UNAIDS work at country level with global audiences.
• Any other related duties as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential:

• Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, or public relations or an advanced degree in similar fields above.

Competencies:

UNAIDS Values:

• Commitment to the AIDS response
• Integrity
• Respect for diversity

Core competencies:

• Working in teams
• Communicating with impact
• Applying expertise
• Delivering results
• Driving change and innovation
• Being accountable

Managerial competencies

• Vision and strategic thinking
• Managing performance and resources. Ability to work independently and report regularly.
• Developing and empowering others. Ability to work well within a team.
• Exercising sound judgement. Ability to work with tight deadlines and under pressure.
• Building relationships and Networks. Able to collaborate with professional and high profile opinion makers from varying cultures and countries.

Experience:

Essential:

• At least 7 years progressive experience in public relations, media relations, event management or journalist writing including experience in media placement.
• Previous experience in managingmedia trips, organizing press conferences and briefings.
• Extensive experience in writing op-eds, message development and media materials. Good familiarity with current social media tools (Web, Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.)

Desirable:

• Ability to coach and train others in effective communications.
• Experience in coordination of working groups, multi-level projects at the national and international level.
• Experience with governmental/international institutions and/or the UN system.
• Previous, on the ground communication experience, while working in a developing country.

Languages:

Essential:

• Excellent knowledge of English, French and Arabic; written, reading and spoken.

Desirable:

• Working knowledge of another UN official language.

Additional Information:

Positions at the international professional category within UNAIDS will be subject to the Organization's Mobility Policy. The above-mentioned position is a rotational position and its standard duration of assignment is linked to the ICSC hardship classification of the duty station.

Other similar positions at the same level may be filled from this vacancy notice.

Annual salary: (Net of tax)

67483 USD at single rate

72467 USD with primary dependants

Post Adjustment: 39.4 % of the figure(s) on the left side. This percentage is to be considered as indicative since variations may occur each month either upwards or downwards due to currency exchange rate fluctuations or inflation.

Applicants will be required to take a test. Applicants will be contacted directly if selected for an interview.

Applications from people living with HIV are particularly welcome.

Applications from women and from nationals of non- and under-represented member states are particularly encouraged. Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations and Rules.

Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.

Note: The paramount consideration in the appointment, transfer or promotion of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. The medical criterion for recruitment is fitness to work in the particular post. The United Nations HIV/AIDS Personnel Policy clearly stipulates that no staff and/or potential candidates shall be discriminated against on the basis of real or perceived HIV status. HIV infection, in itself, does not constitute lack of fitness to work. There is no obligation to disclose HIV-related personal information.

Online applications are strongly encouraged to enable UNAIDS to store your profile in a permanent database. Please visit UNAIDS's e-Recruitment website at: https://erecruit.unaids.org . The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

All applicants are encouraged to apply online as soon as possible after the vacancy has been posted and well before the deadline stated in the vacancy announcement.

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