Public Information Officer (Reporting and Communications)

About the role

OCHA, the United Nations office that coordinates humanitarian responses, is advertising a temporary Public Information Officer (Reporting and Communications) position in Nairobi, Kenya. The post sits in the Crisis Response Division and reports to the Head of Communication, under the supervision of the Head of Office of the OCHA Regional Office for Southern and Eastern Africa.

Key responsibilities

• Set up and maintain a reporting system in the country, draft and distribute regular reports on the humanitarian situation, track trends and share analysis with headquarters and partners.
• Implement information programmes on priority issues and major events, including drafting strategies, monitoring progress and analysing outcomes.
• Monitor current events, public opinion and the press, and advise management on appropriate responses.
• Produce or oversee information products such as press releases, press kits, speeches, brochures and radio spots, and coordinate design, printing and distribution.
• Promote media coverage of priority issues, develop media strategies, arrange press conferences and report on the impact of coverage.
• Maintain web and social media outreach and prepare drafts of articles for UN newsletters, periodicals and reports.
• Build relationships with key constituencies, act as focal point on specific issues and coordinate communications for implementing partners in Kenya, Mozambique and Uganda, including branding and donor communications standards.
• Develop communications for the regional humanitarian pooled fund and guide partners, possibly supervising junior staff.

Required profile

• Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or a related field, or a first-level degree plus two years of qualifying experience.
• At least five years of progressively responsible experience in communication, journalism, international relations, public administration or a related field.
• Experience with crisis communications and with current and emerging digital media platforms and technologies.
• Humanitarian field experience in emergencies and experience in Southern and Eastern Africa are desirable.
• English at UN Level III (reading, writing, listening and speaking); French is the other working language of the Secretariat.