Public Information Officer (Public Information and External Relations), Turin

Org. Setting and ReportingThe position is located in the United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI). The incumbent reports to the Director of UNICRI. For more information on UNICRI, please visit the website: ResponsibilitiesWithin assigned authority, the Public Information Officer (Public Information and External Relations) will be responsible for the following specific duties: • Coordinate and guide the research, writing and editing of press releases and other strategic communications products for target audiences in English and in the language of the Host Country (Italy), when required. • Plan, coordinate and provide strategic oversight for the substantive preparation, implementation and follow-up of a wide range of departmental activities across the Institute, including conferences and meetings, institutional and programmatic documents, media relations, web and social media content management, presentations, strategic resource mobilization and fundraising actions, ensuring coherence, quality control and alignment with UNICRI priorities in all internal and external communication materials. • Coordinate, strategically develop, and ensure editorial authority over the content of the UNICRI website, including setting priorities, defining messaging and supervising updates in line with institutional objectives. • Review and, on behalf of the Director, approve UNICRI’s publications; advise colleagues and partners on critical issues related to content and publication processes; supervise the graphic design process to ensure coherence with UNICRI’s visual identity. • Drive the strategic expansion of UNICRI’s social media presence (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, Flickr, Issuu, and YouTube), ensuring that the Institute’s vision, activities, and achievements are effectively communicated to global audiences. • Advise senior management by proactively monitoring the main issues facing UNICRI and identifying strategic reputational and policy-related matters requiring the Director's attention. • Guide the analysis, synthesis and validation of information in support of milestone activities, providing strategic inputs for decision-making and institutional positioning. • Collect and analyze data to identify trends or patterns and provide insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Provide media guidance, acting as a focal point for media relations, organizing press conferences and interviews, and guiding institutional messaging. • Together with senior management, deliver high-level briefings and presentations on UNICRI-related topics to audiences, including media, academic groups, diplomats, professional associations, NGOs and students. Serve as a key institutional interlocutor, responding to a wide range of general and substantive queries for information from governmental and non-governmental partners. • Strategically coordinate the exchange and dissemination of institutional information with experts, academic entities and governmental institutions. • Identify and establish partnerships to implement UNICRI's activities, including creating collaboration frameworks with United Nations entities, governmental institutions, academic entities and private foundations, with a particular focus on the Host Country. • Expand strategic relationships with donors, institutions and private foundations for project funding opportunities and keep donors updated on projects status and results achieved. • After obtaining prior clearances from substantive programme officers on all thematic areas, prepare substantive and strategic materials for new proposals to be discussed with donors. Provide substantive and strategic support to the Director in conceptualization, design, development, implementation and backstopping of new initiatives, in particular those focusing on knowledge sharing and awareness-raising. • Design, coordinate and oversee the implementation of UNICRI visibility programme, ensuring strategic positioning and coherence. • Provide support to high-level initiatives promoting UN goals and objectives in Italy. • Supervise a team of public information staff and affiliate personnel, including performance management, delegation and oversight of responsibilities; contribute to the recruitment and contracting processes of public information personnel; support the financial expenditures and budget of the Unit. • Coordinate the substantive delivery of the Unit. • Perform other work-related duties as assigned. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Has significant knowledge and understanding of functional work and demonstrated professional competency in relation to the position objectives. Is able to identify issues, analyse and participate in the resolution of issues/problems. Is able to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Has excellent problem-solving skills. Has ability to rapidly analyze and integrate diverse information from varied sources. The ability to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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. Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be \"clients\" and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client. Communication: Has excellent writing and editing skills, is able to write journalistic texts and to edit the work of others. Is able to speak in public. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. 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 the actions proposed will satisfy the expressed and underlying needs for the decision; makes tough decisions when necessary. EducationAn advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, literature, international relations or related field is required. A first-level university degree in similar fields in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible professional work experience in public information, external relations or fund-raising is required. Work experience in developing communication materials (e.g., communication campaigns, speeches, press releases, articles, audio-visual materials, or similar) is required. Work experience in editing and coordinating the production of publications, including substantive review, layout coordination and quality assurance, is required. Work experience in coordinating social media and content management systems (e.g. Drupal) is required. Work experience within the United Nations system or similar international organizations is desirable. Work experience in the fields of crime prevention, criminal justice, security issues, or related areas is desirable. Experience in analysis of data or evidence or related areas is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English is required. Italian is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult for details).