Public information careers in the United Nations

Public information work at the United Nations ranges from daily news production to crisis communications, campaigns, media relations and public outreach. The job family appears across headquarters departments, field missions, information centres, Resident Coordinator Offices and specialised entities.

“Communications” in a working title does not always mean the Public Information job family. A partnership or advocacy post can be classified elsewhere. Search by both title and job family, then read the organisational setting.

Common titles and workplaces

Professional titles include Public Information Officer, Communications Officer, Press Officer, Information Officer, Digital Communications Officer and Public Information Officer/Spokesperson. More senior posts may be Chief of Section, Head of Communications or Director.

General Service titles include Communications Assistant, Public Information Assistant, Editorial Assistant and Media Accreditation Assistant. National Professional Officer posts are common in country-facing communications, where local media knowledge and language skills are essential. Field missions can use P, NO, General Service and occasionally Field Service categories for communications-related functions.

The Department of Global Communications is the largest Secretariat home for this work. Its official overview covers multilingual news and media, campaigns, outreach and a network of UN information centres. OCHA, OHCHR, peace operations, special political missions, regional commissions, UNODC and the Resident Coordinator system also recruit public information specialists. Funds and agencies such as UNICEF and UNHCR have their own recruitment systems even when the title looks identical.

Grades and recruitment basis

International Professional posts use P grades; senior management uses D grades. National Professional posts use NO grades and require nationality of the country of service. General Service posts use local G grades. The grade indicates responsibility and recruitment basis, not the size of the organisation’s social-media audience.

A P-level officer may develop strategy, advise senior officials, manage media relations and supervise production. An NO officer can have similarly substantive duties with a national focus. G-level assistants may produce, schedule and publish content, manage media lists or support press conferences.

Consultants and individual contractors are often hired for videos, design, campaigns, writing or digital products. They are non-staff personnel and do not receive a P or G grade. The deliverables and fee in the notice define the assignment.

Education, experience and languages

There is no single degree required across the family. Vacancy notices commonly accept communications, journalism, international relations, public information or related fields, but the exact wording controls. A video producer, speechwriter and media-relations officer will not have the same technical profile.

Experience requirements vary by grade and function. Recruiters may look for newsroom work, strategic communications, crisis response, social media analytics, campaign management, multilingual content or communications in sensitive political settings. Supervisory experience matters only where the notice asks for it.

English or French is often required in the Secretariat. Country roles can require a local language, while multilingual media positions may specify another UN official language. “Knowledge of” and “fluency in” are different requirements; reproduce your level accurately.

Evidence that strengthens an application

A communications application should show published work, editorial decisions and the scope of your responsibility. Useful evidence includes the audience, channel and result of a campaign; examples of handling fast-moving or sensitive information; editorial products produced under deadline; and analytics used to change a content plan.

For a press role, explain which media you worked with and how you prepared principals for interviews or briefings. For digital work, name the platforms, formats and accessibility practices. For strategic posts, show how communications supported a mandate or operational result.

Do not attach an unsolicited portfolio if the platform does not request one. The UN assessment guidance notes that candidates may be asked for work samples, including a photographer or designer portfolio. Prepare a clean portfolio and source files in advance, but follow the vacancy instructions.

Assessment and application

Assessments can include a timed writing exercise, editing, a press line, a communications plan, content production, analysis of a reputational risk or a presentation. A polished public campaign is poor preparation if you cannot write a clear internal recommendation under time pressure.

Staff vacancies are posted on UN Careers under the Public Information and Conference Management network and Public Information job family. Search related titles too, because some entities classify communications under programme management or external relations.

In the application, match examples to the exact criteria. Record languages, software, platforms and supervisory scope in the relevant fields. Distinguish products you personally created from campaigns you merely supported. Public information recruitment rewards judgement and accuracy as much as reach.