CLOSED: Programme officer – web management, P-3

Vacancy Number: ISDR/G/33/2009

Background

The International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) is a multi-disciplinary and multi-stakeholder platform to enable societies to increase their resilience to natural, technological and environmental disasters and to reduce associated environmental, human, economic and social risk and losses. A range of United Nations organizations and international partners participate in cooperation with Governments and civil society organizations.

The implementation of the ISDR is supported by a secretariat lead by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction. The secretariat’s main functions are policy coordination, advocacy and information management, at the international and regional levels, to ensure synergy between disaster reduction strategies and those in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields.

In January 2005, the World Conference on Disaster Reduction adopted the Hyogo Declaration and the Hyogo Framework for Action 2005-2015: Building the Resilience of Nations and Communities to Disasters.

The Hyogo Framework constitutes the essential guide for implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction and represents the key policy framework for reducing risk and to strengthen community resilience. The Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, established by the UN General Assembly in 2006, is the main global policy forum for disaster risk reduction, and is complemented by a system of regional, thematic and national platforms, which bring together all relevant stakeholders.

Duties and responsibilities

Reporting to the Head of Unit – communications and external relations and working with the wider UNISDR senior management team as requested, the incumbent will manage the UNISDR website contents and develop new web information materials in the area of disaster risk reduction in line with its four main strategic objectives:

Strategic objective

-Disaster risk reduction accepted and applied for climate change adaptation
-Measurable increases in investments in DRR
-Resilient cities, schools and hospitals
-Strengthened international system for disaster risk reduction

The Programme Officer- Web Management, within delegated authority, will:

-Contribute to the day-to-day running of the websites: updating, maintaining, preparing, creating, editing, managing and publishing web contents
-Research, analyze and select information materials to develop new UNISDR Web contents to promote the three main strategic objectives of the UNISDR
-Ensure editorial and web quality, timeliness and accuracy.
-Revamp existing and develop new web pages for the campaign and focus areas, including UNISDR regional websites
-Liaise with UNISDR units and in particular with the Information Management Unit and UNISR regional offices to promote DRR activities
-Generate and implement innovative web ideas to promote DRR
-Create new web tools to integrate multi media products
-Develop a social media strategy and create social media tools
-Keep up-to-date with best practices and propose solutions as required. Support the general advancement and strategic development of the websites.
-Take an active role in web quality control and site management.
-Monitor and analyze web traffic and search logs. Propose changes based on this data.
-Undertake additional communications and related tasks as may be reasonably requested by the head of communication.
-Perform other duties as required.

Organizational setting and reporting relationships:

The position is located in the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction secretariat (UNISDR), in Geneva, Switzerland reporting to the Head of Unit – Communications and External Relations.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

-Staff at all levels, within UNISDR partners and counterparts in the field and the disaster risk reduction community as well as national counterparts.
-Representatives of other UN agencies and other UN specialized agencies with responsibility for disaster risk reduction and communcations; non-governmental organization representatives; and representatives and officials in national governments, international and regional organizations, IFIs, and research institutes.

Results expected

-Contents for UNISDR Web in place and regularly updated.
-Metadata for complex information materials in the area of disaster risk reduction developed.
-Social media strategy developed and implemented.
-Web traffic monitored.

Competencies

The United Nations has a set of core values (integrity, professionalism, and respect for diversity) and competencies (skills, attributes and behaviours which are considered important for all staff and for staff with managerial and supervisory responsibilities). The core competencies of the United Nations include communication; teamwork; planning and organizing; accountability; creativity; client orientation; commitment to continuous learning; and technological awareness. Managerial competencies include leadership; vision; empowering others; building trust; managing performance; and judgement/decision making.

Specific competencies for the position include:

Professionalism
-Strong background and substantial experience in information
management, particularly in writing for the web.

Managing
-Effective project management skills and ability to lead a project to completion; ability to provide technical guidance to new/junior staff.

Client Orientation
-Ability to identify and analyze clients' needs and develop appropriate technology to meet business requirements.

Commitment to continuous learning
-Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in the field information management. Judgment - Demonstrated sound judgment in applying expertise to resolve a range of issues/problems.

Communications
-Strong communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to advise and train users in the use of complex information management systems and related matters and effectively prepare specifications and other written reports documentation in a clear, concise style.

Planning & organizing
-Ability to organize, plan and implement work assignments, juggle competing demands and work under pressure of frequent and tight deadlines.

Teamwork
-Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations with people in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Qualifications

Education:
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in communications, journalism, public relations or other related field or an equivalent combination of academic qualifications, other training and experienced in a related area may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Experience:
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience and practical experience in the areas associated with this post.

Language:
-Fluency in English and one other UN language is required.
-Knowledge of other UN languages an asset.

Other skills/experience:
-Proven ability to communicate institutional messages to the public and staff, while upholding and promoting best web practices.
-Excellent spoken and written English. Ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts and recommendations to non-technical staff.
-Advanced and applied knowledge of web usability and information architecture standards, including user interface, metadata and controlled vocabularies.
-Proficiency in HTML, CMSs, web metric systems, email alert systems, RSS, CSS, Excel, Photoshop, Acrobat writer and other internet-related applications.