Senior Editor – 31403
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Dakar (Senegal)
Grade: P4, Mid-level Professional
Occupations: Language and Writing Services
Close on 23 Nov 2021
JOB DESCRIPTION
PROCEDURES AND ELIGIBILITY
Before submitting an application, UNHCR staff members intending to apply to this Job Opening are requested to consult the Recruitment and Assignments Policy (RAP, UNHCR/HCP/2017/2 and the Recruitment and Assignments Administrative Instruction (RAAI), UNHCR/AI/2017/7 OF 15 August 2017.
DUTIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
Senior Editor
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In line with its Global Communications Strategy, UNHCR requires the services of highly skilled editors capable of conceiving, commissioning, editing, translating, packaging, publishing and promoting written and multimedia content for publication on its core websites in Arabic, English, French and Spanish and for distribution to media partners. This body of work may include editing press releases and briefing notes, writing explanatory text, drafting op-eds, and producing timely, accurate and compelling news and feature stories that help us lead the narrative on forced displacement, generate empathy and mobilize action.
To do their jobs well, UNHCR¿s editors need to cultivate a keen understanding of our target audiences ¿ including the themes and formats that resonate deeply, convey messages effectively and spark quality engagement. They must be vigilant about editorial and journalistic standards, attentive to protection concerns and political sensitivities, and focused on communicating successfully with key demographics. The growing prevalence of digital platforms and mobile devices, and the increasingly visual orientation of our contemporary culture, means that web editors must know how to combine text effectively with photos, videos, graphics and interactive elements and must anticipate how people will experience our website content through social media, on smartphones, etc.
The editors¿ functions, working relationships and skills specializations vary depending on language, location, grade, and whether they sit within a country operation, a regional bureau or the Global Communications Service. Some will focus more on commissioning of original content, for example, while others will focus more on translation.
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCR¿s core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
– Develop strategic work plan for production and/or translation of content for UNHCR¿s global website, seeking to convey and amplify UNHCR¿s key messages on priority situations and themes in ways that resonate with target audiences.
– Oversee translation and placement of content that first appears English, including prioritization of which content to translate into other language and adjusting tone of voice to suit audiences and platforms.
– Ensure timely publication of content on global website while maintaining high journalistic and editorial standards, including accuracy and consistency.
– Ensure that the global website and associated translation services necessary for its success are effectively managed year-round.
– Pursue opportunities to partner with language media companies on placement and co-production of content.
– Liaise with relevant colleagues in country operations, bureaux and divisions to clarify factual questions, address protection concerns, weigh political sensitivities and optimize messaging, especially when generating original content.
– Ensure that text is enhanced by video, photos, maps or graphics where appropriate, liaising with relevant colleagues in the Multimedia Content Section.
– Advise colleagues managing UNHCR¿s social media accounts when requested on different language usage and wording in social media content.
– Play an active role in the ongoing development of the website, liaising with the Digital Engagement Section to improve user journeys, add new content, remove outdated content, and develop new features.
– Commission, write, re-write, edit and/or translate articles and other web content.
– Undertake reporting and interviewing assignments as required.
– Assist with other editing and writing assignments as requested.
– Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4 – 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
*Journalism; *Communications; Language and Literature;
International Relations; Human Rights; Political Science;
or other relevant field.
(Field(s) of Education marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Minimum 9 years of progressively relevant experience in journalism and editing in an international environment, working with networks of writers and commissioning articles. Exceptional writing, translating and editing skills¿ not only attentiveness to grammar, syntax, style and narrative structure, but also a proven aptitude for writing and editing for the digital age. Experience publishing multimedia content with a content management system.
Desirable:
Experience working in communications for a multilingual, international organization. Experience working with designers and developers in a news environment (for example, to build timelines, interactive maps or data visualizations). Familiarity with HTML, search optimization and web analytics. Experience working in a developing country or field location. Good knowledge of the UN, UNHCR, refugees, human rights and humanitarian issues. Working proficiency in other UN languages an asset.
Functional Skills
*CO-Reporting, writing, editing for magazines, newspapers and websites;
*CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics);
*CO-Editing;
CO-Strategic Communication;
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
POSITION COMPETENCIES
C001L3 – Accountability Level 3
C002L3 – Teamwork & Collaboration Level 3
C003L3 – Communication Level 3
C004L3 – Commitment to Continuous Learning Level 3
C005L3 – Client & Result Orientation Level 3
C006L3 – Organizational Awareness Level 3
M001L3 – Empowering and Building Trust Level 3
M006L3 – Managing Resources Level 3
M005L3 – Leadership Level 3
M003L3 – Judgement and Decision Making Level 3
M004L3 – Strategic Planning and Vision Level 3
X003L3 – Technological Awareness Level 3
X002L3 – Innovation and Creativity Level 3
X007L3 – Political Awareness Level 3
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please note that UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of its recruitment process (application, interview, meeting, travelling, processing, training or any other fees).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The UNHCR workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages and opinions. UNHCR seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. Applications are encouraged from all qualified candidates without distinction on grounds of race, colour, sex, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
CLOSING DATE
Please note that the closing date for positions advertised in the Addendum 1 to September 2021 Compendium is Tuesday 23 November 2021 (midnight Geneva time).