Back SALES AND MARKETING ASSISTANT

Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Sales and Marketing Section, Outreach Division, Department of Global Communications. The Sales and Marketing Assistant reports to the Publishing Officer, Operations and Technology Unit, Sales and Marketing Section. The Sales and Marketing Section (United Nations Publications) works to promote United Nations' knowledge, communication, and outreach objectives by publishing, selling, distributing, and licensing print and electronic publications, periodicals and databases that disseminate United Nations' knowledge, studies, and data. It publishes titles aimed at a broad public, as well as provides electronic products and services for individual customers and institutions. The Section designs and implements the overall marketing strategy for United Nations Publications; promotes the United Nations brand; drives demand for UN publications; fosters strategic relationships with co-publishers, book and e-book sellers, and providers of technology services to the publishing industry; participates in industry conferences and exhibits at major book fairs worldwide. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority and depending on location, the Sales/Marketing Assistant may be responsible for the following duties: PROMOTION/MARKETING: • Conceptualizes and drafts promotional copy for use in different marketing channels, including advertising, direct mail, Internet, and e-mail. • Conceptualizes and creates graphic material for varied print and electronic media projects such as brochures, catalogues, flyers, posters, and online newsletters. • Prepares and coordinates inclusion of new material in the website; converts documents into HTML; prepares and incorporates graphics as needed using Photoshop or other graphic design software; uploads new promotional material to appropriate directories using FTP. • Assists in the development of questionnaire surveys and the analysis of the results and coordinates market research mailings and related activities. • Coordinates elements of twice annual publications catalog and marketing plan in such areas as direct mail, advertising, exhibit, book review and other related programmes; provides schedule and cost estimates, liaises with vendors, prepares periodic reports. • Maintains in-house databases by entering and updating bibliographical, sales and other data; provides periodic reports. • Coordinates the Section’s activities with other UN Departments, Agencies and Programmes involved in the sales of publications. • Performs other duties as required. SALES/ORDER FULFILLMENT: • Handles shipping and distribution of publications and merchandise globally; coordinates logistics; researches inquiries and prepares/signs off on relevant communications; monitors status of accounts, and orders, investigates discrepancies and initiates action of correcting inconsistencies, identifies issues and recommends actions to supervisor on problem accounts. • Accepts, processes, and monitors orders (including electronic and print subscriptions and standing orders) for assigned customers; receives and reviews and code orders; communicates delivery schedule; coordinates and follows-up with relevant units to ensure timely delivery and shipping or provision of on-line access, etc.; sends renewals notices/invoices, reminders; responds to questions on status of orders. • Monitors customer feedback; liaises with acquisitions and marketing units; identifies and recommends selective titles for promotion to customers including standing orders/on-line customers; and generates regular reporting (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and as needed). • Investigates claims on orders, handles returns, and ensures appropriate disposition, adjustments, exchange, or refunds; gathers supporting documentation, reconciles discrepancies and submits to supervisor for appropriate action. • Coordinates specific order fulfillment functions. Other • Provides administrative support; verifies invoices for payment; processes, drafts and finalizes correspondence and other communications; sets up and maintains files/records; monitors deadlines. • Carries out requisite reporting functions (e.g., standing orders/subscription figures etc.). • Provides guidance/training to junior staff, as required; may undertake supervisory functions in an acting capacity. • Performs other duties as assigned. Competencies• PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of principles and practices pertaining to the promotion, sale and distribution of publications. Proven applied technical knowledge or specialized skills related to functional areas such as sales, shipping, order fulfillment, logistics and the related field. 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. • TEAMWORK: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda; supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings. • 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. EducationHigh school diploma or equivalent is required. Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of five (5) years of experience in book sales and/or marketing, publishing, inventory, customer service or related area is required. The minimum years of relevant experience is reduced to three (3) for candidates who possess a first-level university degree or higher. Experience in coordinating shipping and logistics is desirable. Experience in providing regular reporting and administrative support is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the post advertised, fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of another official United Nations language is an advantage. AssessmentEvaluation of qualified candidates may include an assessment exercise which may be followed by competency-based interview. Special NoticeThis position is subject to local recruitment pursuant to staff rule 4.4 of the United Nations Staff Rules. Applicants for positions in the General Service and related categories must be authorized to work for the United Nations in the duty station where the position is located. Eligible applicants selected from outside the duty station are responsible for any expenses in connection with their relocation to the duty station. Staff members subject to local recruitment are not eligible for allowances or benefits exclusively applicable to international recruitment. The appointment or assignment and renewal is therefore subject to the availability of the post or funds, budgetary approval or extension of the mandate. The United Nations Secretariat is committed to achieving 50/50 gender balance and geographical diversity in its staff. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. United Nations ConsiderationsAccording 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. Job openings advertised on the Careers Portal will be removed at 11:59 p.m. (New York time) on the deadline date. No FeeTHE 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.