information specialist New York, NY
Job description
This position is located in the UN Webcast Unit, Audio Visual Services Section, Coverage and Media Services Branch, News and Media Division in the Department of Global Communications (DGC). The UN Webcast broadcasts daily live and on-demand streaming coverage of United Nations meetings and events held virtually, hybrid and/or onsite at Headquarters. It also provides streaming coverage for selected United Nations conferences held at other locations worldwide. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the UN Webcast Unit.
Responsibilities- Provides specialized assistance in the production of multilingual (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish, and Russian) live, and on-demand streaming coverage, on UN Web TV (webtv.un.org), of United Nations meetings and events, and delivery of information communications products and services. Researches a broad scope of information sources, printed and electronic; compile and present information for use in the preparation and production of communications products/services for external audiences.
- Assists with the maintenance of multilingual content on the UN Web TV. Writes and/or translates appropriate language metadata, including title and description, as well as captioning of UN Secretary-General’s video messages.
- Enters language metadata and categorization into the UN Web TV video platform, monitors live coverage, edits video clips through the video cloud and other video editing systems.
- Organizes and executes special events, coordinating with diverse partners and the media to highlight and publicize key events.
- Assists with the live streaming coverage and publishing of curated multilingual content to Social Media platforms, including to the global United Nations Channel on YouTube and the @UNWebTV Facebook and Twitter accounts.
- Handles administrative coordination in support of special training and other programmes.
- Assist in the good management of the film/video archives, and the proper safekeeping/preservation of historical audio/visual materials.
- Manages updates and further develops internal databases; update website; generates a variety of standard and non-standard statistical and other reports from various databases.
- Assists in the electronic dissemination of programmes; prepares, maintains and updates web page, to include drafting and editing content; uploads/downloads audio files and maintains file structure.
- Provides guidance and training to junior staff.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Professionalism: Knowledge of internal policies, processes and procedures related to the communication, production and dissemination of public information, including Streaming Media. Ability to research and gather information from a variety of sources. 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. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
Planning and organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies. Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required. Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work. Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning. Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary. Uses time efficiently.
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.
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Work ExperienceA minimum of seven (7) years of combined experience in public communication, internet broadcasting, social media production, website content maintenance, information systems or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to five (5) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher.
Experience with streaming media technology is required.
Experience in webcast video editing and publishing is required.
Experience in website maintenance for multimedia content is required.
Experience in video Content Management Systems and platforms is desirable.
Experience in live and on-demand Social Media production is desirable.
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in both English and Arabic is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.
AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special NoticeAppointment against this position is for an initial period of one year.
Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite for recruitment consideration in the General Services and related categories in the United Nations Secretariat. Applicants who have not passed the GGST at the time of application may be invited for the test after submitting an application. Having passed the Administrative Support Assessment Test [in English] at the United Nations headquarters, Economic Commission for Africa, Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, United Nations Office at Geneva, United Nations Office at Vienna, International criminal tribunal for Rwanda or International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia may be accepted in lieu of the GGST.
This position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment.
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.
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.
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.
