Communication Officer
OVERVIEW
Parent Sector : Field Office
Duty Station: Hanoi
Job Family: Public Information
Type of contract : Non Staff
Level :
Duration of contract (with possibility of extension upon performance and fund availability): 1 year
Recruitment open to : Internal and external candidates
Application Deadline (Midnight Hanoi Time) : 02-Mar-2025
UNESCO Core Values: Commitment to the Organization, Integrity, Respect for Diversity, Professionalism
OVERVIEW OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE POST
Level of the post: SC-8.
Background:
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialised international agency that was founded in 1945. Through its activities within the fields of education, social and natural sciences, culture and communication and information, UNESCO is actively contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. UNESCO has been supporting Viet Nam since 1999, starting with the Education and Culture sectors and now expanding to contribute comprehensive assistance to the country in all areas of the organization's expertise.
Reporting directly to the Country Office Representative of UNESCO in Viet Nam, the Communications Officer will lead the implementation of the UNESCO Hanoi communications strategy. The Communications officer will provide communications support for all of the office's programmes and projects and develop communications campaigns for the office on key UNESCO priorities. In Viet Nam, UNESCO is an active member of the UN Country Team, and as a member of the UN Communications Team, the UNESCO Communications officer will contribute also to “Communicating as One” under the UN Viet Nam Communications Framework. The Communications officer will also support the fundraising effort of the Office including with the private sector.
Under the overall authority of Representative and Head of the Office of UNESCO in Viet Nam, and in collaboration with UNESCO communications officers in Bangkok and HQ, the communications officer will undertake the following tasks:
- Lead the planning and design of internal and external strategies for communications, advocacy and outreach
- Elaborate communication and partnership materials and other relevant UNESCO Hanoi documents
- Assist in finalizing UNESCO country strategy and develop related communications materials
Long Description
- Manage UNESCO Hanoi office’s communication work, inter alia:
- Develop and update content for the social media channels (website, social media)
- Manage media relations (interview coordination, media invitation, media tracking)
- Produce communication products (new stories with graphics, photos, videos whether appropriate), giving priority in help to draft in-depth human-centered stories related to UNESCO programmes in cooperation with program sector leads and ensure the regular input stories per sector in the Organization’s website
- Ensure proper UNESCO branding and positioning to the public
- Coordinate all communication aspects of office event
Long Description
- Support UNESCO programmes/ projects communications in close collaboration with programme/project officers
- Develop/ Review the programmes/ projects’ communications products and campaigns
- Support event organization/ communications-related activities
- Liaise with Bangkok, other field offices and HQ communications officers Act as focal person for Communication of UNESCO Hanoi in relevant fora (s.a UN Coms)
- Support fundraising efforts of the Office including with private sector
- Any Other tasks that may be requested by the supervisor.
COMPETENCIES (Core / Managerial)
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Masters’ degree in communications, public relations, journalism or relevant fields
- At least 2 years of professional experience in communication
- Excellent written and spoken Vietnamese and English
- Strong interpersonal and networking skills
- Demonstrated capacity to collaborate and positively engage with stakeholders in the media, as well as partners and beneficiaries, including national/local authorities
- Demonstrated ability to develop and tailor messages for communications and advocacy for different audiences
Long Description
Competencies and skills:
- Excellent writing skills, good knowledge/understanding of designing
- Excellent computing skills including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and related programmes
- Digital skills using media software including Adobe Creative Cloud Bundle such as Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro and InDesign is highly desirable
- Good and analytical skills
- Demonstrated personal sensitivity and commitment to the values and principles of equity, gender equality and cultural diversity
- Prior UN experience or related development experience is an asset.
LEARNING ELEMENTS
The programmes in which the Communication Officer will contribute to have an interdisciplinary character and include the following learning elements:
- General professional skills: Specific competencies and reflection on assignment-related abilities in a UN Organization; on-the-job skills such as time management, problem solving, team building; and career preparedness such as interview and communication skills, diplomacy, etc.
- Programming and institutional skills: Programme design and implementation of international development work; budget design and monitoring; knowledge of the UN system and Reform on the ground; abilities to engage and build partnership with the national and regional stakeholders including government and CSOs.
- Technical skills: Analytical skills in understanding the socioeconomic and cultural contexts of South-East Asia, participatory methods for the inclusion, training skills for capacity building of social policy officers in Members States, advisory skills on ethical standards in relation to scientific and technological development, and interdisciplinary skills and collaboration with different agencies and sectors;
- Inter-personal skills: communication, presentation and listening skills; multi-cultural awareness and cultural competency; and conflict and stress management; leadership; civic responsibility; engagement and active participation.
BENEFITS AND ENTITLEMENTS
The position is for Vietnamese nationality and will work on a fulltime basis at UNESCO Country Office in Hanoi. The position is expected to be on board as soon as possible.
The post is SC-8 Level (Gross, included medical insurance and social benefits). UNESCO's salaries are paid in local currency (VND)
(Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for recruitment process).
SELECTION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Please note that all candidates must complete an on-line application and provide complete and accurate information. To apply, please visit the UNESCO careers website. No modifications can be made to the application submitted.
The evaluation of candidates is based on the criteria in the vacancy notice, and may include tests and/or assessments, as well as a competency-based interview.
UNESCO uses communication technologies such as video or teleconference, e-mail correspondence, etc. for the assessment and evaluation of candidates.
Please note that only selected candidates will be further contacted and candidates in the final selection step will be subject to reference checks based on the information provided.
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UNESCO recalls that paramount consideration in the appointment of staff members shall be the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, technical competence and integrity. UNESCO applies a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of harassment. UNESCO is committed to achieving and sustaining equitable and diverse geographical distribution, as well as gender parity among its staff members in all categories and at all grades. Furthermore, UNESCO is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Candidates from non- and under-represented Member States (last update here) are particularly welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. Individuals from minority groups and indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the highest level of confidentiality. Worldwide mobility is required for staff members appointed to international posts.
UNESCO does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Please note that UNESCO is a non-smoking Organization.