Public Information Officer, Tjo

UN Secretariat; Wien; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

UN Secretariat in Vienna seeks a Public Information Officer to lead strategic communications campaigns and advocacy for the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. You will advise management, build partnerships with media and governmental bodies, and represent the Commission at meetings and events.

The role requires seven years in public information or related fields, an advanced degree, and fluency in English with additional language skills desired.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in communications, journalism, international relations, public administration, or related field.
• Seven years of progressive experience in public information, journalism, international relations, or public administration.
• Experience providing media advice to intergovernmental or expert bodies desirable.
• English required; Russian/Ukrainian/French desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy, planning, and implementation of large-scale communications campaigns.
• Identify funding sources and secure support for major campaigns.
• Provide expert advice on public affairs and communication strategies to management.
• Cultivate strategic partnerships with media, government bodies, and organizations.
• Oversee creation of information products, including materials for UN publications.
• Evaluate effectiveness, report on trends, represent the institution at meetings and events.
• Develop outreach activities, information networks, and publication programs.
• Assist in daily operations, coordination, policy dissemination, and staff mentoring.

Skills

Strategic planning

Media relations

Public affairs

Campaign development

Public speaking

Content creation

Partnership building

Team coordination

Networking

Planning and organizing

Public information

Reporting

Education

Master’s degree or equivalent in communications/public admin

Job description

Organizational context: This position is based within the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine in Vienna, Austria, established by the Human Rights Council. The role operates under the overall supervision of the Coordinator of the Secretariat for the Commission, contributing to its mandate and scope.

Job purpose: The Public Information Officer will lead the strategy, planning, development, and implementation of complex communications campaigns for the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. This involves advising management, building strategic partnerships with diverse stakeholders including media and governmental bodies, and serving as a key liaison. The role requires creating and overseeing a range of communication products, managing publications, and representing the institution at meetings and events. Additionally, the officer will build information networks, develop outreach activities, and contribute to the unit's operational and administrative functions, potentially coordinating and mentoring junior staff to ensure effective communication and advocacy for the Commission's objectives.

Responsibilities: Lead the strategy, planning, development, and implementation of large-scale communications campaigns, ensuring alignment with departmental and agency-wide objectives. Identify funding sources and secure support for major campaigns. Provide expert advice and guidance on public affairs, communication strategies, and issue resolution to management and staff. Cultivate strategic partnerships with key constituencies to enhance promotional impact and serve as a primary liaison with media, governmental bodies, and other organizations. Oversee the creation of diverse information and communication products, including drafting complex materials for UN publications and editing content. Evaluate the effectiveness of communication activities, report on trends, and represent the institution at meetings, conferences, and public events. Develop and manage outreach activities, information networks, and publication programs, producing materials for various media formats. Assist in the unit's daily operations, including coordination, policy dissemination, and administrative support, potentially leading and mentoring public information staff.

Education: An advanced university degree (Master’s or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration, or a related field is required. A first-level university degree combined with relevant qualifying experience may be accepted as an alternative.

Work experience: A minimum of seven years of progressive experience in public information, journalism, international relations, or public administration is required. Experience in providing media advice to intergovernmental or expert bodies is desirable, as is experience within or concerning the region.

Skills: Professionalism, Communication, Teamwork, Planning and Organizing, strategic planning, campaign development and implementation, media relations, public affairs, partnership building, content creation, reporting, public speaking, network building, outreach activities, publications management, team coordination, mentoring.

Required languages: English

Desired languages: Russian, Ukrainian, French