Career Opportunities: Head, Public Affairs Unit and Spokesperson (P-4) (24173)

Organisational Context

Under the direct supervision of the Director of the Division of External Operations, the Public Information and Outreach Section (PIOS) ensures that the proceedings are accessible to the public, raises awareness, and promotes an understanding about the Court’s mandate and activities with the ultimate goal of getting support. It does so in relation to a number of target audiences, including global audiences, mainly encompassing international press and media, victims and communities affected by crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court; and key stakeholders such as legal communities, academics and non-governmental organisations. PIOS achieves its objectives through the use of a variety of communication means including granting interviews to media, production of press releases and other publications and audio visual materials as well as through the website and new social media platforms. PIOS also organises campaigns and is responsible for the organisation of events and visits ranging from general groups to high profile visitors.

Public Affairs Unit

The Public Affairs Unit (PAU) aims at promoting the understanding of the ICC mandate and activities by providing accurate, meaningful and timely information to the general public and other target groups such as medias, civil society, academic and legal communities. In addition to providing messages and answers to the journalists and the general public directly and through its publications, the Unit makes use of new communication channels in order to strengthen the ICC digital online presence, reflecting the visual identity of a modern, just, strong and independent judicial institution. It aims also to engage with the different target groups in an inspiring way, to call them to action in support of the Court and to build specific joint awareness projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

Within this framework and under the direct supervision of the Chief of Section the incumbent shall be in charge of:

A. Vision and strategy-setting

• Drive the strategic vision of the Court’s Public Information in support of priorities derived from judicial developments of cases before the Court, as well as the Registrar’s programmatic objectives to help to ensure that the Court is a well-recognized institution worldwide.
• Ensure that proceedings, hearings and court records are publicised and accessible through the ICC Website and other channels.
• Ensure consistency of ICC public position by managing messaging delivered public information activities - including activities conducted by colleagues from other PIOS’ units - or published on the ICC Website or across traditional media and digital platforms such as X (Twitter), Facebook and other accounts and by closely integrating all related activities.

B. Advocacy and promotional efforts

• Serve as Spokesperson for the Court and principal liaison between the Court, local and international media organisations,
• Represent the ICC Public Information Section as required at international conferences and meetings on transitional justice issues.

• Develop media strategies and assist the Court Principals (President and Registrar) in explaining the Court's work to the local and international public, both directly and through the media,

• Handle the Court's media relations including arranging interviews and facilitating contact between the media, the President, the Registrar and ICC Senior Officials as required,

• Build new partnerships, expand and strengthen existing networks supporting the work of the ICC Public Information, in coordination with the Outreach Unit, including among members of Medias outlets and associations of journalists, researchers, legal communities, and educational organisations.
• Identify cutting edge and innovative communication tools and processes and mainstream their use in ICC.

C. Management and administration

• Participate in the Public Information and Outreach Section management team and ensure coherence of delivery within the scope of his/her responsibilities. Provide strategic leadership, vision and managerial direction to the staff allocated to the Public Affairs Unit.
• Establish clear priorities for the Unit and ensure section and individual goals and work plans are aligned. Promote greater collaboration and linkages between the PAU and the Outreach Unit and Audio-Visual Production Unit.
• Direct and manage the Public Affairs Unit’s financial resources.
• Foster a conducive working environment and provide clear strategic leadership and direction, ensuring a well-motivated team.
• Consolidate the budget of the Unit identifying requirements for financial resources and human resources, overseeing budgetary expenditures.

Essential Qualifications

Education

Advanced university degree in journalism, political science, international relations, law, education, communications or related field. A first level university degree in combination with two additional years of relevant experience is accepted in lieu of the advanced degree.

Experience

• A minimum of seven years (nine years with a first level university degree) of progressively responsible experience in public information, advocacy or outreach.
• Experience in working in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment and in managing diverse teams is required.
• Experience in public speaking is required.
• Experience in working in legal environments is an advantage.
• Experience at an international level with international organisations or non-governmental organisations are desirable.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Excellent oral communication, presentation and writing skills are required.
• Ability to engage with Medias, magistrates, lawyers, researchers and other stakeholders and forge productive working relationships.
• Ability to tackle problems systematically, for the purpose of working towards their solution and learning from this process.
• Ability to detect and prevent potential communication problems to design responses to them and contingency problems that typically involve resource planning and gaining the cooperation of others.
• Ability to share knowledge of lessons learned from professional practices, methodologies and techniques with team members and allies.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Knowledge of Languages

Proficiency in one of the working languages of the Court, French or English, is required. Working knowledge of the other is required. Knowledge of another official language of the Court (Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish) would be considered an asset.