Director, Information Centre

Org. Setting and Reporting
- This position is located in the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Rio de Janeiro, within the Information Centres Service (ICS) of the Campaigns and Country Operations Division (CCOD) of the Department of Global Communications (DGC). The UNIC is part of the global network of United Nations Information Centres (UNICs), and UNIC Rio de Janeiro is the principal source of information about the United Nations system in Brazil. It is responsible for promoting public understanding and support for the aims and activities of the United Nations by communicating the work of the UN to a local audience in local languages; engaging local and regional partners; and, overall, bringing the United Nations closer to the peoples it serves. The incumbent is under the general supervision of the Director of CCOD and reports directly to the Chief of ICS.
- Responsibilities
- Within delegated authority, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties: - Lead, supervise and carry out the work programme of the centre; undertake or oversee the programmatic and/or administrative tasks necessary for the functioning of a medium size information centre, including preparation of budgets, reporting on budget/programme performance, recruitment of staff and evaluation of staff performance. - Manage, guide, develop and train staff under his or her supervision in Brazil and the work region; foster teamwork and communication among staff in the information centre and across organizational boundaries. - In line with the Global Communications Strategy for the United Nations, conceptualize, design and execute the programmes and activities in Brazil; lead and supervise the development and implementation of high profile multimedia strategic communications campaigns as well as oversee digital and social media content and activities in multiple languages and in coordination with DGC UNHQ teams as needed; develop a network of effective digital influencers and opportunities for cross promotion on issues of common interest; develop outreach to key target audiences, including youth; set quality and production standards for information dissemination; approve the preparation, from research to publication, of UN newsletters, periodicals, reports and books; supervise the creation and maintenance of networks of high level communications contacts with members of the media, governmental agencies, international organizations, civil society, educational institutions, and members of the creative community in the work region; and lead and supervise the assessment of the overall effectiveness of the communications strategy and programmes. - Provide support to the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team (UNCT) in adapting and localizing UN global communications and thematic advocacy priorities, in designing, implementing and monitoring the UN joint communications strategy, promoting the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). - Serve as UN spokesperson in Brazil in coordination with the Resident Coordinator; liaise with national and international media on UN activities and programmes related to Brazil as well as on global UN issues and campaigns; organize and chair press briefings and media stakeouts; issue press releases and media statements; assist the Resident Coordinator and UN Country Team members with their media engagements. - Plan and facilitate the development and coordinate the implementation of a digital content strategy for UNCT websites and social media and contribute to the development of key UNCT digital communication strategy and advocacy products. Lead the management of the UNCT Portuguese language digital communications platforms such as the website, official social media accounts and other official channels and suggest and/or implement any other digital means of communication, as well as the UNIC website. - Provide diverse materials (briefings, speeches, questions and answers, etc.), technical and policy advice on highly complex communications issues related to the operation of the centre and/or related to the work region to the Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications and other UN senior officials; provide UN Headquarters with media reports regarding highly complex conditions and public attitudes towards the UN in the work region; ensure that the policies and activities of the UN are communicated accurately and promptly, within highly complex political, substantive and/or operational situations, to the national authorities. - In close coordination with the Resident Coordinator, may liaise with government authorities in Brazil and the work region; lead and supervise activities to promote and coordinate the communications aspect of visits by the Secretary-General, UN senior officials, and/or UN delegations to Brazil and the work region. - Ensure that the outputs produced by the centre maintain high-quality standards and comply with the relevant mandates of DGC and that reports are