This position is located in the Communication and Media Relations Section (CRMS) of the Publications, Conference & Knowledge Management Division (PCKMD), Economic Commission for Africa (ECA). The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Communication Section.

Responsibilities:

Within delegated authority, the main responsibility of the incumbent is to lead, advise and support the development and integration of communications and public advocacy into ECA's work in a systematic, coherent and effective manner.

Within delegated authority, the Public Information Advocacy Officer may be responsible for the following duties:

• Advocacy: Takes the lead in policy advocacy strategies, including planning, development and implementation of related large or complex communication activities that could include rolling out initiatives at the Subregional level on critical ECA’s policy recommendations and analyses.
• Works in close collaboration with key Divisions, Subregional Offices and partners to implement system-wide advocacy activities and to incorporate the key messages and themes into major ECA’s events and products.
• Provides advice and expertise to managers, senior officers and other public information staff on a range of public policy issues, methods, and approaches; anticipates and resolves communications/public relations issues/problems.
• Develops strategic partnerships with key constituencies to elicit support for and maximize impact of public advocacy; and serves as liaison to media partners.
• Prepares or oversees preparation of a diverse range of information communications products, including well-crafted media pitches, social media messaging in support of major ECA’s initiatives.
• Drafts complex material for newsletters, periodicals and reports and edits drafts prepared by junior officers.
• Evaluates results and impact of communications and public advocacy activities as related to policy and reports on developments, trends (including Social Media) and policy influence regarding the ECA.
• May represent the institution in meetings and conferences; and makes presentations to groups on UN activities and advocate issues of concern; organizes media coverage and media briefings, interviews; organizes requisite seminars, lectures, and public events on major issues and events in relation to policy advocacy.
• Builds information networks; supports the maintenance of web content and social media platforms.
• Assists in the day-to-day operation of the section to include participating in coordination of substantive and administrative activities of the section, interpreting and disseminating policy, providing procedural advice, reporting systems, handling operational and administrative reporting and queries, preparing budget submissions, establishing and/or coordinating training programmes and monitoring and evaluating results.
• May coordinate and direct a team of public information staff and/or mentor and supervise the work of junior officers on specific projects.

Education:

• Advanced university degree (Master’s or Doctorate degree, or equivalent) in political communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or related field is required. A first-level degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in the specified fields of studies with two additional years of relevant work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Work Experience:

• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in communication and public advocacy, public information, journalism, political communication, or related social science area in an international organization is required.
• Experience with crafting and leading large-scale advocacy activities aimed at policy influence and adoption at the international level, especially on social and economic transformation issues is highly desirable.
• Experience working in an international context or multilateral institution 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 French is desirable.
• Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage.