Log In
Sign Up
United Nations Hiring for CHIEF OF UNIT, PUBLIC INFORMATION Job at New York, NY Full Time
This position is located primarily in the Television Broadcast and Facilities Unit (UNTV) of Audiovisual Services Section, Coverage & Media Services Branch, News and Media Division in the Department of Global Communications (DGC). UNTV provides live feed to broadcasters of major events taking place at UN Headquarters, and major UN conferences taking place around the world. The incumbent of the post reports to the Chief of the Audiovisual Services Section.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority the Chief of Unit is responsible for the following duties:
- Overseeing all television coverage of meetings and events at UN Headquarters as well as major conferences away from Headquarters, ensuring live transmissions to broadcasters and the resulting products are stored in the Media Asset Management System;
- Overseeing all activities in the television studios including recording of messages by the Secretary-General;
- Providing advice and expertise on special television shows originating from UN Headquarters, and coordinating the planning and operations of the SDG studio;
- Liaising with television stations and network personnel in providing daily information regarding the television coverage of United Nations meetings and events;
- Coordinating production requirements with contractors in line with budget, and participating in/contributing to procurement of potential vendors and contract negotiations;
- Planning production for all studio and special events coverage including placement and number of cameras, set design, and the overall format;
- Planning with representatives of UN Offices, Permanent Missions and other partners regarding coverage of special events such as visits of Heads of State and Government;
- Directing live television coverage of meetings, press briefings and other newsworthy events at Headquarters, keeping in mind political sensitivities;
- Keeping abreast of technological developments; evaluating the needs of UNTV; and advising, planning and initiating procurement and maintenance of facilities and equipment;
- Advising visiting crews on coverage at Headquarters, editing and transmission facilities, facilities available at the UN as well as New York commercial establishments;
- Supervising the work of the unit and managing allocation of funds and reporting activities. Manages performance of the staff by discussing individual work plans and evaluating job performance;
- Conducting administrative work necessary for the smooth functioning of the unit, including recruitment, procurement, and financial monitoring and reporting;
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge of the work of the UN and its specialized agencies. Expertise in the broadcasting industry; ability to direct television programmes including live transmissions; understanding of video broadcast systems; attention to efficient use of available resources. Ability to work under pressure and to meet deadlines and achieving results. Demonstrates political sensitivity. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges. Shows pride in work and in achievement; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; 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.
Client orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect. Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions. Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems. Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects. Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Technological awareness: Keeps abreast of available technology. Understands applicability and limitations of technology to the work of the office. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Shows willingness to learn new technology.
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
Advanced University Degree (Master’s or equivalent) in communications, journalism, video, film and television or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with qualifying years of experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in public information, journalism, or related area is required.
Experience in planning and managing live television coverage and studio production is required.
Experience working in the broadcasting industry, directing live television programmes is required.
Experience in an international television production environment is desirable.
Experience in a news operations is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language is desirable.
Assessment
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special Notice
• The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity 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 31 October 2022, are strongly encouraged to apply: Afghanistan, Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahrain, Belize, Brunei Darussalam, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Cuba, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Djibouti, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Israel, Japan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Malta, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Monaco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Vanuatu.
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.
Report