Org. Setting and ReportingThis position is located in the Information Integrity Unit of the Policy and Best Practices Service (PBPS) in the Division of Policy, Evaluation and Training (DPET) of the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). The incumbent reports to the Team Leader of the Information Integrity Unit. The Information Integrity Unit supports the strengthening of information integrity in peacekeeping settings. The Associate Communications Officer will support the development and implementation of strategies to strengthen and promote information integrity. Specifically, the incumbent will be responsible for monitoring, analysing, and detecting information risks in the online and offline environments, in coordination with field missions and other entities, as relevant. Adhering to ethical research practices, this role involves investigating and assessing the online information environments in relation to UN missions, using various open-source investigation techniques and producing analytical documentation. The incumbent will also conduct broader research, develop policy, and support partnerships related to information integrity in peace operations settings. Additionally, the incumbent will contribute to supporting prevention, mitigation, and response strategies, contributing to crisis communications, strategic planning, and support developing UN policies and guidance materials to strengthen information integrity and address risks. ResponsibilitiesWithin delegated authority, the Associate Communications Officer will be responsible for the following duties: • Contribute 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. • Assist in the identification and cataloguing of incidents and patterns of information threats. • Contribute to the conduct of fact-checking and research using open-source collection and analysis techniques. • Contribute to gathering qualitative and quantitative information from various digital platforms (website, social media, surveys, etc.) and prepare them for analysis and reporting activities. • Assist in preparing reports, written briefs, and presentations on analytical findings for internal stakeholders to inform prevention, mitigation and responses to risks to information integrity, utilizing data visualization and other techniques, in liaison with relevant teams. • Assist in selecting, managing, and integrating relevant digital media analytics tools and platforms. • Assist in identifying trends and patterns in media engagement and content performance through strategic analytics. • Monitor, analyse and report on communications approaches, activities and strategies to assess their performance and effectiveness. • Contribute to the development and management of information tools and resources, including for capacity building, for use by external stakeholders in efforts to strengthen information integrity. • Contribute to the development guidance materials for internal stakeholders to strengthen information integrity, through immediate and long-term actions tailored to the specific context and/or mandate of the entity. • Conduct ongoing analysis and assessment of relevant academic research and policy development related to information integrity. • Participate in information integrity related coordination groups and communities of practice. • Participate in public events with external stakeholders on information integrity. • Keep abreast of the latest trends in communications and maintain expertise in relevant and emerging technologies. • Maintain confidentiality, integrity, and discreet handling of sensitive information in compliance with the UN data privacy, security requirements, and standards. CompetenciesProfessionalism: Critical thinking skills; knowledge of data analysis concepts, methodologies, and tools; skills to communicate complex and technical matters to diverse audiences; ability to identify trends and provide insights. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work. 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. 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 the audience. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed. Creativity: Actively seeks to improve programmes or services. Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs. Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas. Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas; thinks \"outside the box.\" Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things. Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches. EducationAdvanced university degree (Master's degree, equivalent) in communication, journalism, international relations, digital communications, or related field. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree. A first-level university degree and no experience will be accepted for candidates who have passed the Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations National Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the General Service to Professional Examination (G to P). Job - Specific QualificationNot available. Work ExperienceA minimum of two years of progressively responsible experience in communications, international relations, journalism or other relevant area. No experience is required for candidates who have passed the United Nations Young Professionals Programme Examination (YPP), the United Nations Competitive Recruitment Examination (NCRE) or the G to P Examination. Experience identifying and assessing risks to information integrity – threats in fragile, post conflict, and crisis environments – is required. Experience in conducting research such as systematic data collection and analysis of information from various sources is required. Experience in using digital analytics tools is required. Experience in projects requiring knowledge of current and emerging digital media platforms, their principles and technologies, is desirable. Experience in using fact-checking and open-source collection techniques is desirable. LanguagesEnglish and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For the position advertised, fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is desirable. 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 Notice• This position is temporarily available until 31 Dec 2025. If the selected candidate is a staff member from the United Nations Secretariat, the selection will be administered as a temporary assignment. The position advertised is funded through Extra-budgetary funds. • While this temporary assignment may provide the successful applicant with an opportunity to gain new work experience, the selection for this position is for a limited period and has no bearing on the future incumbency of the post. • Pursuant to section 7.11 of ST/AI/2012/2/Rev.1, candidates recruited through the young professionals programme who have not served for a minimum of two years in the position of their initial assignment are not eligible to apply to this position • Subject to the funding source of the position, the eligibility for this temporary job opening may be limited to candidates based at the duty station. • This temporary job opening may be limited to “internal candidates,” who have been recruited through a competitive examination administered according to staff rule 4.16 or staff selection process including the review of a central review body established according to staff rule 4.15. • Staff members of the United Nations common system organizations who will reach the mandatory age of separation or retirement within the duration of the current temporary need period are not eligible to apply. Submitting an application or selection for the current temporary job opening does not delay or increase the mandatory age of separation. • Retirees above the mandatory age of separation who wish to be considered for the current temporary job opening must indicate the reason for their last separation as \"retirement.\" Such retirees shall not be employed by the Organization, unless (a) the operational requirements of the Organization cannot be met by staff members who are qualified and available to perform the required functions; and (b) the proposed employment would not adversely affect the career development or redeployment opportunities of other staff members and represents both a cost-effective and operationally sound solution to meet the needs of the service. • 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. • At the United Nations, the paramount consideration in the recruitment and employment of staff is the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity, with due regard to geographic diversity. All employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications and organizational needs. The United Nations is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment of mutual respect. The United Nations recruits and employs staff regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, religious, cultural and ethnic backgrounds or disabilities. Reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities may be provided to support participation in the recruitment process when requested and indicated in the application 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.