The Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN) is a leading provider of multimedia humanitarian news and analysis (www.IRINnews.org). IRIN is presently seeking applications for the following positions:
| PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER / SUB-EDITOR (P-3) |
| Vacancy Notice number: | OCHA/G/14/2012 |
Office/Section: | OCHA IRIN |
| Date of issue: | 20 March 2012 | Duty station: | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Duration: | Six months | Deadline for applications: | 03 April 2012 |
| Entry on Duty: | As soon as possible | | |
ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING AND REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This Public Information Officer / Sub-Editor position is located in the Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN) Nairobi of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA). Within the delegated authority, the Public Information Officer / Sub-Editor reports to the Editor-in-Chief and will be responsible for the following duties:
Ensures implementation of high quality information services to publicize priority humanitarian issues and/or major events in Africa, Asia and the Middle East, to include critically assessing and editing English language news and feature articles, coordinating fact-checking efforts, selecting appropriate and engaging links, headings, photos and other enhancements for online publication, monitoring and reporting on accuracy, balance and consistency in style and language, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analyzing the impact of services; Monitors and analyzes humanitarian events, public opinion and press, identifies issues and trends, and advises management on appropriate editorial action/responses; Undertakes activities to promote quality coverage of humanitarian issues and/or major events, to include development of house style and editorial quality standards, initiating pro-active outreach efforts, proposing ideas for coverage, disseminating materials and consulting with editorial colleagues on approach/story angle and information presentation issues, undertaking appropriate follow-up action and analyzing and reporting on the impact of coverage; Produces or oversees production of collaborative reporting products (e.g. in-depth reports, compendiums, booklets, brochures, backgrounders, audio-visual materials, news stories, features and analysis) for public dissemination through the web, email and other channels; proposing topics, undertaking research, determining appropriate medium and target audience, preparing production plans, writing drafts, editing copy, and coordinating design, printing procedures and distribution; Prepares, on the basis of official UN documentation, best practices in journalism and other sources, initial recommendations for inclusion in the IRIN house style, editorial guidelines and training materials; Initiates and sustains professional relationships with key constituencies; Acts as focal point on editorial standards, house style, online publishing practices, conventions and related technical issues; monitoring and reporting on developments, responding to inquiries, etc.; Participates in selecting the information transmitted to key constituencies; Provides guidance to, and may supervise, more junior staff.
Competences
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of the full range of editorial standards and conventions, online publishing practices, communications approaches, tools, and methodologies essential to executing effective reporting on humanitarian issues and developments, e.g. copy editing and fact-checking practices, media operations, marketing and promotion, online audience outreach, and message targeting; Ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources;
Ability to identify humanitarian issues, opportunities and risks in an international environment; Ability to diplomatically handle sensitive language issues with target audiences and cultivate productive professional relationships; Knowledge of relevant internal editorial policies and business activities/issues; Ability to produce a variety of written communications products in a clear, concise style; Ability to deliver oral presentations to various audiences; Shows pride in work and in achievements; Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; 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; Remains calm in stressful situations; Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
COMMUNICATION: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately; Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; Tailors language, tone, style and format to match the audience; Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
CREATIVITY: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services; Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs; Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas; Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks "outside the box"; Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things; Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
JUDGEMENT/DECISION MAKING: Identifies the key issues in a complex situation, and comes to the heart of the problem quickly; Gathers relevant information before making a decision;
Considers positive and negative impacts of decisions prior to making them; Takes decisions with an eye to the impact on others and on the Organization; Proposes a course of action or makes a recommendation based on all available information; Checks assumptions against facts; Determines that the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; Makes tough decisions when necessary.
Qualifications & Experience
EDUCATION: Advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, or related area is required; A first-level university degree (Bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in combination with qualifying relevant professional experience may be accepted in lieu of advanced university degree.
WORKING EXPERIENCE: A minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in copy-editing, content curation, editorial production, journalism, or related area; Desirable is a familiarity with the technical practices and skills required by a copy-editor working in a modern newsroom environment, and experience in the curation and enhancement of content intended for online publication.
LANGUAGE: For this position fluency in English (both oral and written) is required; Knowledge of French is desirable.
***SPECIAL NOTICE ***
Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be accepted. All posts are subject to availability of funds.
Applicants will be contacted only if they are under serious consideration. This vacancy announcement may be used to fill similar positions at the same level in other field duty stations.
Upon selection candidates will be subject to satisfactory reference checks to be completed by the recruiting department/office which shall include verification of the highest required academic qualification(s) and record with the last employer.
Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her. In this context all staff members are expected to move periodically to new functions in their careers in accordance with established rules and procedures.
Applications from qualified female candidates and from nationals of non- and under-represented countries are particularly encouraged.
How to apply:
All applicants are requested to email the following documents to
vacancies@irinnews.org with a copy to ochavacancies@un.org
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Please state your full name and the OCHA vacancy notice number (OCHA/G/14/2011) as the subject in your e-mail application and send one email application for every vacancy announcement.
Documents titles should be formatted as follows:
DOCUMENT_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME
For example:
COVERLETTER_GREEN_JOSEPH.doc
PHP_GREEN_JOSPEH.doc
SUPP_ GREEN_JOSEPH.doc
SPIF_GREEN_JOSEPH.doc
PAS_ GREEN_JOSEPH.doc
Note that an applicants’ eligibility cannot be fully assessed if the standard United Nations recruitment documents are not submitted or properly completed i.e. Personal History profile and Supplementary Sheet.
All Application Forms can be found by clicking on the following link:
http://ocha.unog.ch/OCHAvacancies/
Applications received after the deadline will not be accepted.
"The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, processing, training or any other fees). Also, the United Nations does not concern itself with information on bank accounts".
INTERNS:
The Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), a global news and analysis service on humanitarian issues, is inviting internship applications for minimum two months maximum 6 months placements for its Nairobi Office.
Qualifications: Applicants must be pursuing a first or advanced degree in Journalism, Mass Communication, International Relations or related fields.
Language: Fluency in English is required. Another language will be an added advantage, especially French, Arabic or Spanish.
Application procedure: Interested and qualified candidates should apply online through the UN Office at Nairobi (
UNON) website specifying their area of assignment as UNOCHA. Send a copy of the application to Further eligibility requirements are detailed on the website. An official letter in PDF format from applicants' educational institution is a requirement without which applications cannot be reviewed.
The roles, in brief:
Research, write, edit, update or revise articles and multimedia reports on events and issues affecting the humanitarian agenda worldwide. Work closely with IRIN journalists, editors and local correspondents. Interact with newsmakers and analysts, IRIN users and the humanitarian community. Assist managers in the marketing of IRIN services, operations support, organization of events and special projects. In addition to an ability to write clearly and succinctly in English, skills in video, photography or other multimedia would be a plus.
FREELANCE JOURNALISTS:
IRIN is interested in hearing from experienced journalists with excellent writing skills and creative ideas who are interested in contributing to IRIN.
In order to be considered, please send us your CV with a covering note, which must include some story ideas suitable for IRIN's specialist humanitarian subject area. Mail us at
Expressions of interest from Francophone countries may be sent in French. We'll get back in touch only if we feel there's a good fit.
Currently, we are particularly looking for stringers in the current locations:
Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Botswana, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Geneva, Guinea, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New York, Niger, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Sudan (Khartoum and South Sudan), The Gambia, Timor-Leste, Togo, Thailand, UK, Vietnam, Washington DC, Western Sahara, Yemen and Zanzibar.