The United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Central Africa (UNCHRD) was created at the request of the countries of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) and by the decision of the General Assembly of the United Nations through its resolutions of December 5, 1998 (53/78) and December 1, 1999 (54/55). 

The UNCHRD is mandated to foster a culture of human rights and democracy as well as promote conflicts prevention and development in Central Africa. 

Responsibilities:

Within delegated authority and under the supervision of the Regional Representative, the National programme officer - Information, Communication and Documentation will be responsible for the following duties:

Information and communication:

• Supervise the preparation and issuance of press releases and media alerts;
• Supervise the preparation and dissemination of issuance of the periodic public information newsletter;
• Lead the production of press clippings information on human rights, democracy on the Centre’s activities in the sub-region and beyond to Centre's contacts and partners;
• Organize human rights specific days and special events;
• Prepare and issue regularly a human rights and democracy bulletin;
• Lead the designing of outreach materials (fact sheet, newsletter, etc.);
• Send regular messages to contacts.  

Documentation and information management:

• Improve the documentation center’s services by updating a record database on the Centre’s contacts including Government, national human rights institutions, UN agencies, NGOs and the press;
• Collect and analyze information and trends pertaining to the human rights situation ; 
• Carry out monitoring, reporting and protection activities as appropriate;  
• Search, compile and develop working documents for capacity building activities such as training of trainers, workshops, seminars, meetings and special events organized or supported by the Centre;
• Carry out research for internal and external users by searching collections, internal and external databases and using Internet;
• Review and identify materials for the development and maintenance of the collections of the documentation Centre;
• Lead the organization of the whole collection of the documentation Centre according to the established classification system for public access;
• Review, organize and maintain the shared drive of the Centre;
• Lead the issuance of access card to the documentation centre to users and deal with requests for materials/publications;
• Act as a repository and institutional memory for the office data;
• Supervise fellows in documentation.    

Update of the Centre’s website:

• Supervise the feeding of the Centre’s website with press releases, texts and documents;
• In consultation with the IT staff, ensure the creation of special pages and regular update;
• Inform the Centre contacts on updates, invite them to visit the website; monitor the website's weekly countdown.  

Management:

• Lead the Documentation, communication and advocacy cluster;
• Develop background documents and budgets relating to activities led;
• Ensure outreach of the Centre’s fundraising efforts and contribute to the development of projects as appropriate;
• Contribute to the writing of monthly reports.

Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by the Regional Representative

Competencies:

Professionalism - Advanced  knowledge  of  the  use  of information management to improve the awareness on human rights and democracy issues in the sub region; Familiarity with and experience in the use of various research sources, including electronic sources on the Internet, intranet and other databases; Demonstrate problem-solving skills and ability to use sound judgment to ensure the effective and timely completion of complex tasks; Ability to work under pressure; Very good  knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines pertaining to human rights and democracy and sound knowledge of the institutions of the UN system;

Planning and Organizing - Ability to establish priorities, to plan, coordinate and monitor own work plan; Demonstrated ability to apply good judgment in the context of assignments given;

Communication - Ability to speak and write in a clear and concise manner in English and French, including ability to draft a variety of reports, correspondences, and articulate ideas I a clear, concise style;

Technological Awareness - Fully proficient computer skills and use of relevant software and other applications, e.g. Word processing, spreadsheets, internal databases, internet, etc.

Teamwork – Good interpersonal skills; ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Qualifications and skills

Education:       Advanced University degree (Master’s degree or equivalent), preferably in communication, journalism, public relations, Information management and documentation, social science, international relations or other 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.

Experience:     At least five years of progressively professional experience in journalism, communications, public relations, information management, research library or documentation Centre is highly desirable; Ability to publish documents and studies in the field of human rights and/or Democracy; Working knowledge/experience of the UN system.

      Language:  Fluency in oral and written English and French is essential; knowledge of                                     Spanish is an asset.