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Posting Title: PUBLIC INFORMATION ASSISTANT (TJO), G5 (Temporary Job Opening)
Job Code Title: PUBLIC INFORMATION ASSISTANT
Department/Office: Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Duty Station: GENEVA
Posting Period: 07 July 2023 – 28 July 2023
Job Opening Number: 23-Public Information-OHCHR-213494-J-Geneva (O)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Organisational Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), within the Meetings, Documents and Publications Unit (MDPU) of the External Outreach and Partnerships Service (EOPS). The incumbent will report to the Public Information Officer (First Reporting Officer) and Head of MDPU (Second Reporting Officer).
Responsibilities
Under the overall supervision of the Head of the Unit and the direct supervision of the Public Information Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for the following duties:
- Dispatches OHCHR publications and other materials worldwide, entailing the following: – Provides timely and accurate responses to requests from a wide variety of OHCHR clients, including governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, libraries, UN agencies and missions, OHCHR offices, national human rights institutions, expert members of human rights bodies, staff members, students, visitors, and other interested parties seeking OHCHR publications and other materials – Prepares materials for dispatching to requesting parties, liaising with the UN Diplomatic Pouch, UNOG Distribution, Registry and customs clearance agents, as required – Seeks distribution plans from originating sections for all language editions and carries out worldwide distribution to identified target audiences – Prepares comprehensive and accurate computerized records on the details of outgoing orders in the OHCHR Distribution Database, for statistical and impact assessment purposes – Ensures that all orders and inter-building transfers are accurately recorded in MailTrace, MailOps and other databases, as required, that they are official and in compliance with UN rules – Informs clients about progress on orders, of delays or related concerns, and resolves distribution/shipping problems;
- Manages the publications desk/visitors’ centre, entailing the following: – Displays OHCHR publications and other print material in various official UN languages, showcasing popular and new titles and replenishing materials, as required – Receives clients in a courteous, respectful and professional manner, responds to enquiries about OHCHR publications and public information material, and provides copies of requested titles – Identifies and recommends selective titles that might interest clients and refers them to appropriate language versions and formats to best meet their needs – Provides clients with information on placing orders for OHCHR publications and print materials, including via the publications list and order form (in all official UN languages) in hard copy and on the OHCHR website – Provides updates on the availability of language versions, and new and in-progress editions – Supplies colleagues with copies of selective titles for meetings, training courses, conferences and other events taking place in Palais Wilson, the Motta building and Palais des Nations – When required for annual forums, conferences, special events, or in support of OHCHR and/or UN campaigns, organizes and sets up an OHCHR publications stand, prepares publications and other print materials for display, facilitates their distribution, re-stocks materials as needed, responds to questions from the public, including advising on ordering procedures and titles of interest on a specific human rights subject, and dismantles materials thereafter – Assists in monitoring customer feedback and bringing issues of concern to the attention of management – Provides monthly inputs on distribution- and client liaison-related activities for inclusion in Unit/Division bulletins – Provides assistance in support of planning and implementation of publications programme activities – Drafts correspondence and/or provides inputs related to the publications programme, including work plans, mid-year and annual reports, as required – Updates the publications list, develops new guidance and/or makes recommendations to improve the user-friendliness of existing guidelines for ordering, distributing and receiving deliveries of OHCHR publications and other printed materials;
- Manages OHCHR storage facilities and stock levels, entailing the following: – Ensures well managed and organized stock of OHCHR publications and print materials in storage facilities located at Palais des Nations, the Motta building and Palais Wilson, as required – Maintains inventory records, monitors stock levels and provides regular information on soon-to-be depleted titles requiring reprinting – Identifies under- or undistributed printed material and makes the necessary follow up with originating sections to reduce stock numbers or to introduce other stock reduction measures, in compliance with the OHCHR Publications Policy – Receives, inspects for damages and discrepancies, and registers deliveries of printed materials from UNOG’s publishing service and external printers – Sorts and classifies materials in accordance with UN safety and security regulations and ease of retrieval – Prepares comprehensive and accurate computerized records on the details of incoming deliveries in the OHCHR Distribution Database, for statistical and impact assessment purposes – Ensures that the weight of all incoming orders is accurately recorded for incorporation in OHCHR carbon footprint reports;
- Provides back-up to the other Public Information Assistant in the Unit, as required
- Carries out any other functions that may be required to meet the objectives of the Meetings, Documents and Publications Unit (MDPU).
CompetenciesPROFESSIONALISM: Basic knowledge of the OHCHR and/or United Nations publications programme; Knowledge of distribution, shipping, storage, inventory and record-keeping procedures; Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.) and Internet; Shows pride in work and in achievements; 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; 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 ORGANISING: 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 on-going 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.
EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent.
Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of experience in public communication, international broadcasting or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to 3 for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. At least three (3) years of experience working in pouch operations, publications, distribution, stock management and/or related fields, is required. At least two (2) years of experience within the United Nations common system, or a similar international organization is desirable. Experience in data entry and maintenance using SharePoint databases is desirable. Experience in client liaison work in an international context is desirable.
LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is required. Knowledge of another United Nations official language is an advantage.
AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise, which may be followed by competency-based interview.
Special NoticeTHIS POSITION IS TEMPORARILY AVAILABLE UNTIL 25 SEPTEMBER 2023, WITH POSSIBILITY OF EXTENSION – SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS. For this position, the work being physically demanding will require the incumbent to lift, move, mount and/or store printed materials of 20kg, including display materials for public information stands (e.g., banners, stand parts, etc.).The work will also require the incumbent to make regular visits to and carry out physical work at storage facilities in various locations at Palais des Nations (and possibly other areas in future), away from OHCHR offices in Palais Wilson and the Motta building. 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. 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, maybe accepted in lieu of the GGST.
- If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment.
- While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post.
- Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station.
- This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15.
- Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation.
- Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as “retirement.” Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application.
United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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.
No FeeTHE 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.