Job Description

The position is located in the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna, Strategic Communications Division (SCD), Department of Global Communications (DGC). The incumbent will work under the direct supervision of the Director of the Service.

Responsibilities

Within assigned authority, the incumbent will be responsible for the following specific duties:

•  Independently provide full range of front office assistance to the Director and the Service. Review and appraise incoming communications from the United Nations (UN) headquarters, Permanent Missions, external audiences and other departments/offices, identify problems/issues, respond independently and/or make recommendations to the Director, or delegate to other staff within the Service for action. Manage the agenda of the Director; draft and prepare correspondence for the Director.
•  Independently respond, both verbally and in writing, in English and German, to a broad range of enquiries and information requests on the UN and UN activities from the media, academic institutions, permanent missions and other parties. Respond to incoming correspondence and enquiries, and draft responses for the Director. Assist in providing media accreditations and the provision of services to accredited media.
•  Serve as first line focal point for information and data management. Provide guidance to the team, coordinate information and data management practices of the Service, keeping abreast of relevant developments in this area, including tools and products, data protection and data security matters, and UN Secretariat policies. Act as focal point for liaising with the Information Technology Service (ITS).
•  Provide support and guidance on administrative policies and procedures, including planning and reporting, human resources, budget, finance and procurement, keeping abreast of relevant developments in these areas. Follow up on administrative actions, coordinating with service units and other in-house offices, at UNOV, DGC headquarters and other locations.
•  Write texts and edit and proofread texts prepared by other colleagues or interns in English and German, and translate communication texts such as press releases, op-eds, social media posts and web stories from English into German. Research, compile and present information from a variety of sources; which includes reviewing current events worldwide and identifying items of interest. Clear the final German-language product before publishing.
•  Hold presentations on UN-related topics to audiences, including students, academic groups, diplomats, professional associations, NGOs and others.
•  Perform other work-related duties as assigned.

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.

Job - Specific Qualification

• Passing the Global General Service Test (GGST) is a prerequisite, i.e. is required, 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.
• The GGST is a proctored entry-level examination at the duty station. Any travel expenses incurred in order to take the examination are the responsibility of the candidate and will not be reimbursed by the Organization.
• 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.

Work Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of extensive experience in public information or communications is required.
• Experience running or working in a front office, or a related area, is desirable.

Languages

• English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in English and German is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language and/or one of the languages of UNIS Vienna client countries (Hungarian, Slovak and Slovene) is an advantage.