National Information Officer, NOB

Org. Setting and Reporting

This position is located in the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Tokyo, within the Information Centres Service (ICS), Outreach Division (OD), Department of Global Communications (DGC). The UNIC Tokyo is the principal source of information about the United Nations system in Japan and is responsible for promoting public understanding and support for the aims and activities of the United Nations by disseminating UN information materials; engaging local and regional partners; and, overall, bringing the United Nations closer to the people it serves. The incumbent is under the direct supervision of the Director of UNIC Tokyo and the overall supervision of the regional UNIC Director.

Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties: • Develops and implements a communications strategy for Japan by adapting the global UN message for local audiences, in consultation with partners including the UNCG Japan. To this aim, the incumbent will produce/oversee production of various contents in Japanese for local audience including for digital communications and platforms; propose topics, undertakes research, determine the appropriate medium and target audience, prepare production plans, write drafts, obtain necessary clearances and finalize texts, edit, copy, and coordinate design approval, printing procedures and distribution. He or she will also ensure the implementation of a communications strategy on the local level to publicise United Nations priority issues and/or major events, including coordination with partners, monitoring and reporting on progress, taking appropriate follow-up action, and analysing the outcome. • Takes a leading role on communications issues within the United Nations Information Centre in Tokyo by coordinating and overseeing the various tasks conducted by the Centre’s Communications team, under the guidance of the Director. Monitors programme output of the UNIC Tokyo and regularly reports to the ICS as needed. • Monitors and analyses current events, public opinion and press coverage, and social media analytics identifying issues and trends, and advises the Director of UNIC Tokyo and the UNCG Japan on appropriate action/responses including adjustment of content strategy as needed. • Conducts media outreach, including development of media strategies and action plans, initiating pro-active media outreach efforts; maintains contacts with national and regional media in Japan, disseminates information materials to the media, places op-eds and arranges interviews, organizes press conferences and briefings, monitors press coverage of UN issues; consults with press on approach/story angle and other information requests, undertakes appropriate follow-up action and analyses and reports on the impact of coverage. • Maintains and further enhances web sites and social media accounts in Japanese and if required in English. Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks. Monitors programme output of the UNIC Tokyo and regularly reports to the ICS as needed. • Liaises with internal and external stakeholders to develop and deliver joint outreach and advocacy activities to advance UN priorities, including media engagement and coverage. The incumbent contributes to the development of campaign strategies to raise awareness among target audiences, mobilize support and resources in line with the organisation’s policies and regulations, and drive action in support of the UN’s objectives and initiatives. The incumbent also assists in the development of creative campaign concepts, content, and materials, including digital and print assets, social media posts, email communications, and multimedia content, managing all aspects of campaign implementation, including timeline development, budgeting, resource planning, and coordination with external vendors or partners. • Assists in monitoring and evaluating campaign performance, providing regular reports and insights to inform future strategies and initiatives. • Identifies key contacts/constituencies and opportunities for strategic partnerships to facilitate communication efforts and maintains working relationships with the same. • Contributes to the development and execution of research methodologies - quantitative and qualitative – to monitor, collect, analyse, and report on risks to information integrity across various online and/or offline information sources. The incumbent assists in the identification and cataloguing of incidents and patterns of information threats and in the use of analytics software that provides data collection, analysis, and summary reporting of information integrity risks. • Maintains contacts with key partners including the Government of Japan, civil society, business community, creative community and academic partners at the national and local level and undertakes joint initiatives with them; initiates and sustains proactive professional relationships with key constituencies in Japan. • Takes a leading role on communications issues within UN system present in Japan by convening and/or serving as the secretariat for the United Nations Communications Group at the country level in consultation with the Director of UNIC Tokyo. • Contributes to the collection and analysis of data as well as identification of trends or patterns and provides draft insights through graphs, charts, tables and reports using data visualization methods for data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting. • Performs other functions and special duties, including as required by senior managers and their Japan visits.

Competencies

PROFESSIONALISM: Ability to plan, execute and monitor public communication campaigns, e.g. campaign management, market research, message targeting, impact evaluation. Ability to research and analyze issues and topics related to current events. Ability to draft and compile a variety of written communication products in a clear, concise style. Ability to interact with the public to build and maintain effective business connections. 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. Able to analyze and interpret data in support of decision-making and convey resulting information to management. 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 audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in communication, journalism, public information or a related field, is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.

Job - Specific Qualification

Not available.

Work Experience

A minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience, including experience in managing contacts and networking with the media, non-governmental organizations, government officials, international and national organizations, business groups, civil society, etc. in Japan is required. Experience in strategic communications; in addressing a diverse public audience (e.g. general public, Government officials, special interest groups) is desirable. Experience in journalism is desirable. Experience working with the United Nations or a comparable international organization in Japan is desirable.

Languages

English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this job opening, English and Japanese are required. Either French or Spanish or Arabic or Chinese (Mandarin) or Russian is desirable. The table below shows the minimum required level for each skill in these languages, according to the UN Language Framework (please consult https://languages.un.org for details).

Required Languages

Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking

English UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III

Japanese UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III UN Level III

Desirable Languages

Language Reading Writing Listening Speaking

French UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Spanish UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Arabic UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Chinese (Mandarin) UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Russian UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I UN Level I

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview.

Special Notice

National Professional Officers (NPO) or National Officers (NO) are nationals of the country in which they are serving, and their functions must have a national context, i.e. functions that require national experience or knowledge of the national language, culture, institutions, and systems. This is an NPO/NO position located in Japan (Tokyo). Only candidates with Japanese nationality are eligible to apply for this position. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. Appointment against this post is on a LOCAL basis, with NO entitlement to travel or any other international benefits. Should there be a need for examination; the candidate will be responsible for any travel expenses incurred. Staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General and to assignment by him or her.

United Nations Considerations

According to article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter of the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the employment of the staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence, and integrity. Candidates will not be considered for employment with the United Nations if they have committed violations of international human rights law, violations of international humanitarian law, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment, or if there are reasonable grounds to believe that they have been involved in the commission of any of these acts. The term “sexual exploitation” means any actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust, for sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the sexual exploitation of another. The term “sexual abuse” means the actual or threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal or coercive conditions. The term “sexual harassment” means any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature that might reasonably be expected or be perceived to cause offence or humiliation, when such conduct interferes with work, is made a condition of employment or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, and when the gravity of the conduct warrants the termination of the perpetrator’s working relationship. Candidates who have committed crimes other than minor traffic offences may not be considered for employment. Due regard will be paid to the importance of recruiting the staff on as wide a geographical basis as possible. The United Nations places no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities upon request, to support their participation in the recruitment process. By accepting a letter of appointment, staff members are subject to the authority of the Secretary-General, who may assign them to any of the activities or offices of the United Nations in accordance with staff regulation 1.2 (c). Further, staff members in the Professional and higher category up to and including the D-2 level and the Field Service category are normally required to move periodically to discharge functions in different duty stations under conditions established in ST/AI/2023/3 on Mobility, as may be amended or revised. This condition of service applies to all position specific job openings and does not apply to temporary positions. Applicants are urged to carefully follow all instructions available in the online recruitment platform, inspira, and to refer to the Applicant Guide by clicking on “Manuals” in the “Help” tile of the inspira account-holder homepage. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted on the basis of the information submitted in the application according to the evaluation criteria of the job opening and the applicable internal legislations of the United Nations including the Charter of the United Nations, resolutions of the General Assembly, the Staff Regulations and Rules, administrative issuances and guidelines. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications according to the instructions provided in inspira to be considered for the current job opening. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. All external candidates recruited in accordance with section ‎2.2 (a) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment without limitation and all external candidates recruited in accordance with section 2.2. (c) of ST/AI/2025/3 for a fixed term appointment limited to the entity are subject to an initial probationary period of one year under a fixed-term appointment. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date.

No Fee

THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.