Senior Communication and Public Information Officer

Grade: P4 

Vacancy no.: RAPS/1/2024/DCOMM/01
Publication date: 29th February 2024
Application deadline (midnight Geneva time):  2nd April 2024

Job ID: 11691 
Department: DCOMM 
Organization Unit: NEWS 
Location: Geneva   
Contract type: Fixed Term 

The following are eligible to apply:

• ILO Internal candidates in accordance with paragraphs 31 and 32 of Annex I of the ILO Staff Regulations.
• External candidates.

Staff members with at least five years of continuous service with the Office are encouraged to apply.

Applications from candidates who have already separated from ILO service upon retirement or early retirement, will not be considered.

The ILO values diversity among its staff and welcomes applications from qualified female candidates. We also encourage applicants with disabilities. If you are unable to complete our online application form due to a disability, please send an email to ilojobs@ilo.org.

The ILO welcomes applicants with experience in working within ILO constituents (governments, employers’ and business membership organizations, and workers’ organizations).

Applicants from non- or under-represented member States, or from those member States which staffing forecasts indicate will become non- or under-represented in the near future would be particularly welcome. A list of these countries can be found here: ILO Jobs: Non- and under-represented Member States

In addition to the interviews and tests that any candidate may be required to take, successful completion of the ILO Assessment Centre is required for all external candidates and any internal candidate applying to a higher category.

Notwithstanding the general considerations set out in the ILO Staff Regulations, this vacancy announcement is the only authoritative document pertaining to the qualifications required for this position. The minimum required qualifications were determined in view of the specific duties and responsibilities of this position.

The specific language requirements for this position are detailed hereunder. However, candidates applying for the professional category vacancies who have not already successfully completed their probationary period within the ILO and whose mother tongue is not one of the working languages of the Office (English, French and Spanish), shall be required to possess a fully satisfactory working knowledge of at least one of the ILO working languages. If appointed they may be required to acquire a knowledge of a second working language of the Office during their initial years of service.

The position is located in the News and Media Unit (NEWS) of the Department of Communication and Public Information (DCOMM). The position will be part of a team of communication and public information officers whose duties are divided into the following four main categories: leading the ILO’s networking with the international media, including proactive relationship building, pitching, and story placement; proactively identifying newsworthy key moments to communicate about the ILO and its work and / or include the ILO’s voice in relevant current affairs and international issues; drafting and / or editing high quality multi-media products, including but not limited to press releases, talking points, news items, speeches, digital news items, and video scripts; supporting with the development and implementation of media training for ILO staff.

 
The position will report to the Chief of the News and Media Unit and will also work closely with other units in DCOMM and with regional communication officers.

1. Implement the ILO’s global communication strategy, in line with the ILO’s programmatic needs, with a focus on news and current affairs, and content creation.
2. Write, edit, and revise materials for distribution, including news stories, press releases, speeches, digital news items, human interest stories, and media pitches, in line with the ILO’s guidelines and global journalistic standards of accuracy, balance and objectivity.
3. Under the guidance of the chief of unit, lead in the production of the ILO’s multi-media products, such as podcasts, live productions, and multi-media content.
4. Proactively look for and identify opportunities to insert messages on gender equality and other key ILO messages in the global media calendar, and in coordination with technical departments and the regions propose ILO experts for interviews.
5. Organize media coverage and interviews for the Director-General and other ILO officials, and co-lead on the record and off-the-record media briefings at the UN Palais and internationally.
6. Provide technical expertise and advice to senior officials and/or communication staff on public information, interviewing techniques, and media relations.
7. Perform other relevant duties as assigned.

These specific duties are aligned with the relevant ILO generic job description, which includes the following generic duties:

1. Cover the work of a programme or group of programmes, identify public information needs and opportunities, and develop communication/public information strategies.
2. Identify the need for, prepare, and produce information such as brochures, press releases, contributions to audio/visual programmes and articles for the media, NGOs and other groups to promote greater understanding and support for the organization.
3. Coordinate and ensure the dissemination of publications and promotional materials. Contribute to multi-media and other promotional campaigns and special events.
4. Write, edit and revise material for distribution, ensuring conformance to approved information policies and standards as well as professional journalistic style, accuracy and objectivity.
5. Provide technical advice to senior officials and/or public information staff in the field on the most effective public information and communication methods and approaches.
6. Establish and maintain effective working relationships and communication channels with mass media representatives, news services, editors, etc. to encourage accurate and favorable reporting of the organization’s activities.
7. Organize media coverage and arrange for interviews and briefings. Respond to media enquiries, organize seminars and make presentations to a variety of groups on the activities of the organization.
8. Administer the computerized needs of the department, prepare materials for the internet and web-sites, and develop and maintain media and other contacts lists.
9. Act as spokesperson for the programme area(s) and the department at public information meetings, conferences and press briefings. Make presentations to various groups on the activities of the organization.

Advanced university degree in communications, journalism, international relations, liberal arts or other relevant field. A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s or equivalent) in one of the afore-mentioned fields or other relevant field, with an additional two years of relevant experience, in addition to the experience stated below, will be accepted in lieu of an advanced university degree.

At least seven years of professional experience including at the international level in journalism, public information or related fields of work. 
Experience working in an international news environment as a writer, producer, reporter, or equivalent role, is an advantage.

Excellent command of written and spoken English and of a second working language (French, Spanish) of the Organization.

In addition to the ILO core competencies, this position requires:
 

Technical
Strong understanding of global news, current affairs, and the world of work.
Excellent writing and editing skills in English and a track record of strong and impactful storytelling.
Knowledge of the ILO’s mandate and its programmes, and an ability to tailor messaging to the organisation’s diverse target audiences.

Behavioural 
Excellent analytical and negotiations skills, ability to multi-task and meet multiple deadlines. 
Good interpersonal skills, ability to work in a multicultural environment and to demonstrate gender-sensitive and inclusive behaviour.

Conditions of employment

• Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to ILO Staff Regulations and other relevant internal rules. Any offer of employment with the ILO is conditional upon certification by the ILO Medical Adviser that the person concerned is medically fit to perform the specific inherent requirements of the position offered. In order to confirm an offer from the ILO the successful candidate will be required to undergo a medical examination.
• The first contract will be issued for a twenty-four month period.
• A successful external candidate will be on probation for the first two years of assignment.
• Any extension of contract beyond the probation period is subject to satisfactory conduct and performance.

For more information on conditions of employment, please visit the ILO Jobs International Recruitment page.

Important Information

Any officials of the General Service category interested in applying to this position are hereby informed that, if selected, they will be offered the salary and allowances applicable to the grade of the position applied for, which may result in substantial changes in their take-home remuneration. In accordance with Article 3.4 of the Staff Regulations, the salary of an official, upon promotion, shall in no case be greater than the maximum salary of the grade to which he or she was promoted. For any questions or clarifications, please contact your HR partner at hrpartner@ilo.org

Recruitment process

Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application form. To apply, please visit the ILO Jobs website. The system provides instructions for online application procedures.

Evaluation (which may include one or several written tests and a pre-interview competency-based assessment centre) and the interviews will tentatively take place during the 3 to 4 months following the application deadline. Candidates are requested to ensure their availability should they be short listed for further consideration.

Depending on the location and availability of candidates, assessors and interview panel members, the ILO may use communication technologies such as Skype, Video or teleconference, e-mail, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates at the different stages of the recruitment process, including assessment centres, technical tests or interviews.

The ILO has zero tolerance for acts of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and is determined to ensure that all staff members and all beneficiaries of ILO assistance do not suffer, directly or indirectly, from sexual exploitation and abuse. 
To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organisation, the ILO may conduct a background verification of candidates under consideration.

Fraud warning

The ILO does not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process whether at the application, interview, processing or training stage. Messages originating from a non ILO e-mail account - @ilo.org - should be disregarded. In addition, the ILO does not require or need to know any information relating to the bank account details of applicants.