Vacancy Notice No. 2008/500
Position and Grade: Press and Public Information Officer - Writer (P-3)
Organizational Unit: Media and Outreach Section
Division of Public Information
Department of Management
Duty Station: Vienna, Austria
Issue Date: 18 April 2008
Application Deadline: 2 June 2008
Type/Duration of Appointment: Fixed term temporary assistance, 2 years (subject to a probationary period of 1 year)

Organizational Setting
The Division of Public Information has two Sections, the Media and Outreach Section and the News and Information Section. The Media and Outreach Section, in which this post is located, serves as the point of entry for news media inquiries about the IAEA and works to generate news stories about IAEA activities.

The operating environment is dynamic, participative and interactive, dealing with longer-term promotion campaigns as well as crisis communications on issues of global importance. The environment often demands a willingness to work long or unusual hours.

Main purpose
The Press and Public Information Officer - Writer is an active member of a small media communications team that manages all relations with and provision of information to the media. It advises senior management on press policy and alerts them to important news stories and investigations. The team identifies newsworthy IAEA activities and pitches them to reporters.

Role
The role of the Press and Public Information Officer - Writer is to help meet the daily and often unexpected demands of the media, seeking internal guidance on inquiries and responding, arranging interviews and accompanying visiting journalists. The incumbent is also expected to provide briefings on the work and role of the IAEA to journalists and visiting groups. The Officer writes topical press releases, media advisories and background briefing papers and makes efforts to promote the lesser known areas of the IAEA to targeted media groups. He/she also researches and writes for media campaigns.

Partnerships
The Press and Public Information Officer has excellent relations with local and international media. He/she also develops in-house policy and technical contacts to be called upon for guidance. The incumbent works in close cooperation with the two more senior Press and Public Information Officers and supports the Spokesperson.

Functions / Key Results Expected
  • Carry out proactive press work, including answering media queries, organizing media visits, interviews and press briefings/conferences, as well as briefing visiting groups;
  • Draft press releases and background briefing papers;
  • Research and write for media campaigns.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
  • Strong journalistic background and understanding of international media.
  • Strong analytical skills.
  • Strong communication skills.
  • Ability to speak articulately, dynamically and in a convincing manner and to make effective presentations.
  • Excellent writing skills.
  • Very good interpersonal skills to deal effectively with external and internal counterparts and to work effectively in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
  • Knowledge of nuclear issues and/or the IAEA would be an advantage.

Education, Experience and Language Skills
  • University (or equivalent) degree in journalism, public relations, international relations or political sciences.
  • At least five years' journalism, media relations/public information experience.
  • Additional experience as a press officer preferred.
  • Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English. Knowledge of other official IAEA languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian or Spanish), as well as of German, an asset.

NOTE: This is not an established Agency post. It is fixed term temporary assistance post, subject to the availability of funds.

Remuneration
The IAEA offers an attractive remuneration package including a tax-free annual net base salary starting at US $52 408 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance), a variable post adjustment which currently amounts to US $40 511*, dependency benefits, rental subsidy, education grant, relocation and repatriation expenses; 6 weeks' annual vacation, home leave, pension plan and health insurance.

How to apply to the IAEA

* Subject to change without notice

Applications from qualified women and candidates from developing countries are encouraged

Applicants should be aware that IAEA staff members are international civil servants and may not accept instructions from any other authority. Staff members may be assigned to any location. The IAEA retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower grade or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for shorter duration than indicated above. Testing may be part of the recruitment process.