Information Assistant, Panama

OCHA - INFORMATION ASSISTANT

Location :

Panama, PANAMA

Application Deadline :

10-Mar-14

Type of Contract :

FTA Local

Post Level :

GS-5

Languages Required :

English   Spanish  

Starting Date :
(date when the selected candidate is expected to start)

01-Apr-2014

Duration of Initial Contract :

One year

Expected Duration of Assignment :

One year

Background

This position is located in the OCHA Regional Office for the Latin America and the Caribbean (ROLAC) in Panama.

OCHA supports the coordination of the humanitarian activities in the region working in collaboration with government authorities, NGOs, international organizations, NGOs, UN agencies and others partners to promote international standards and best practices aiming to improve the quality of the humanitarian actions in benefit to population in need.

Read more on www.unocha.org/about-us/who-we-are.

Duties and Responsibilities

Within delegated authority, the Information Assistant will be responsible for the following duties; which include analysis, communication, advocacy and public relations:

• Assist in the research, tracking, analysis, publication and storage of information related to humanitarian activities and disasters in the region;
• draft information and/or communication products for target audiences such as press releases, briefings packets, situation reports, brochures, video clips, newsletters, presentations, specific content for websites, and relevant information for advocacy products;
• support the Information Unit in gathering different type of data such as contact details on relevant humanitarian agencies and/or personnel to maintain contact datasets updated in the WhoWhatWhere database and Lotus Notes application;
• identify and propose information opportunities, activities and approaches, taking into account the situation and target audience;
• identify key constituencies for strategic partnerships to facilitate media communication efforts and maintain good working relationships with them;
• participate in the organization of conferences, seminars, press briefings, interviews and other events under OCHA responsibility, preparing briefing materials and/or other information product request;
• respond to a variety of inquiries and information requests internally and externally, working with different sources and different formats of information;
• support the implementation of the office strategy on the use of social media channels; 
• assist in the maintenance of OCHA ROLAC website using existing editorial procedures and technical mechanisms;
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor or Head of the Office.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

The Information Assistant reports to the Information Unit Manager and will work in close collaboration with the Humanitarian Affairs Officers from the Emergency Preparedness Unit and the Redhum Representatives located in other countries.

The Information Assistant may also interact with staff members from other OCHA offices abroad; consultants, corporate partners, NGOs, donors, UN agencies and other key partner international organizations.

During emergency phases, the information assistant is expect to work under pressure to delivery information products within a reduced timeframe and is also expected to work longer hours depending on the requirements of the emergency.

Competencies

Creativity

• Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs.

Client Orientation

• Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
• Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects.

Communication 

• Strong communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to draft/compile a variety of written communications products and to articulate ideas in a clear, concise style;
• The ability to effectively communicate information to the public; and
• The ability to establish and maintain effective business connections.

Technological Awareness

• Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. word processing, PowerPoint or equivalent, graphics software, internal databases, Internet, etc.

Teamwork

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

Other skills

• Ability to work productively under pressure, cope with deadlines, and the technical ability to work with online forms and systems.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

• Secondary education. University degree in communications, journalism, public relations or other related fields is desirable, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

• 5 years of relevant experience in communications, public relations and administration;
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.). Experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Language Requirements:

• Fluency in oral and written Spanish and English;
• English to be tested through TOEFL (minimum 500 points);
• Working knowledge of French and Portuguese will be an advantage.

Additional Information:

• Qualified candidates who are interested in the above position are invited to submit their application to the following link:     http://www.undp.org/content/panama/es/home/operations/jobs;
• Applications should be submitted online and include UNDP Personal History Form (P11) duly signed not later than 10 March 2014.  Please attach your Curriculum Vitae (CV), along with your P11 form, in one pdf document;
• The electronic version of a UNDP Personal History Form can be downloaded from the vacancy announcement, which has been posted at http://www.undp.org/content/panama/es/home/operations/jobs/  and on www.redhum.org under respective vacancy sections;
• Please note that applications received after the deadline will not be considered;
• Only short-listed qualified candidates will receive an acknowledgement.

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.