Communication Officer

INTERPOL is the world’s largest international police organization, with 192
Member States. Created in 1923, it facilitates cross-border police co-operation, and supports and assists all organizations, authorities, and services whose mission is to prevent or combat international crime. INTERPOL is now looking for a qualified candidate as Communication Officer the Communication Office in Lyon, France.

INTERPOL embraces diversity and is committed to achieving diversity and inclusion within its workforce. Applicants from the underrepresented Member States and qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

*This position is financed by funds external to the Organization and carries, in principle, no expectation of renewal. Any potential subsequent extension will be subject to the terms of the Organization’s Staff Manual, to satisfactory performance and to availability of funds.

Interviews in connection to this selection procedure will take place approximately two weeks after the deadline for applications. Applicants are kindly requested to plan their availability during this period accordingly, in case they are short-listed.

Selected candidates will be expected to report for duty approximately 1 month after receiving an offer of employment.

This selection exercise will be used to generate a roster of suitable candidates that will be used to address Organization's staffing needs in the future.

INTERPOL is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of INTERPOL member countries, irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

INTERPOL places no restrictions on the eligibility of candidates, without distinction as to race or ethnic origin, religion, opinions, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. However, the national policy and laws in force in INTERPOL host countries may mean that staff members’ spouses or partners, while legally recognized by the Organization, are not given the same recognition when they reside in certain duty stations. When this is the case, the Organization will inform the candidates accordingly to ensure that they are aware of the situation and allow them to make an informed decision.

INTRODUCTION OF POST

Supporting the activities of INTERPOL’s Content Generation and Operations Support (COS) group and of the Communications Office (COM), the incumbent will promote to the press the range, value and impact of INTERPOL’s activities across its digital and print platforms.

In addition to writing, editing and proofreading content for INTERPOL’s established series of products, s/he will promote INTERPOL’s priorities and objectives by also proactively suggesting and creating original content in line with the communications strategy.

As the post is funded by the INTERPOL Foundation, whilst the incumbent will be based in the COS/COM unit and will work across a broad range of press-related activities for the Organization, s/he will prioritize Foundation-related projects.

PRIMARY DUTIES

Reporting to the Head, Content Generation and Operations Support, and under his/her supervision, the incumbent is, according to organizational priorities expected to carry out the following specialized duties:

Mission 1: Write, create and edit text content for all platforms

•    Write and edit high-quality and engaging editorial content for digital and print platforms, in line with INTERPOL’s strategic objectives, adapting editorial copy to the appropriate style, format and press audience.

•    Ensure consistency of messages, language and voice across the range of products, making sure that content conforms to INTERPOL’s house style, writing guidelines and brand values. Establish best practice guidelines (especially for website content) and ensure they are met.

•    Work collaboratively with colleagues in the Content Generation and other COM teams to make sure that digital content is optimized for search engines and conforms to best practice standards in accessibility and usability. Monitor new and emerging online trends and technologies and advise on new opportunities for digital content, as appropriate.

•    Use analytics and insights to monitor performance, gain an understanding of audience needs and motivations, and build these findings into future digital projects.

•    Conceive, draft and produce from start to finish packages of press materials and activities, both online and offline.

•    Directly publish content to INTERPOL’s websites and other platforms according to editorial guidelines and best practices, and ensure that language versions are requested and uploaded, where necessary.

Mission 2: Generate content targeting media outlets and news audiences

•    Write and edit high-quality and engaging news content for digital and print publications, in line with INTERPOL’s strategic objectives and communications strategy, adapting editorial copy to the appropriate style, format and audience.

•    Research open sources and propose ideas for delivering news content across different online and offline platforms. Research ideas and contribute new creative and innovative editorial content across all platforms to enhance storytelling activities, and help ensure INTERPOL’s voice and work is accessible and understandable to audiences.

•    Work collaboratively and pro-actively with colleagues in COS and across COM to deliver broadcast standard multimedia content packages around a designated theme and/or event aimed at media outlets.

•    Leverage social media in close coordination with COS colleagues to reach targeted news audiences, on a range of topical activities including operations and initiatives.

Mission 3: Nurture media relationships

•    In liaison with colleagues in COS, and COM liaison officers, and in line with the communications strategy, help build and maintain a network of media and other strategic communications contacts with external entities, to develop privileged access and relationships and deliver targeted news coverage on a range of INTERPOL activities, including meetings, events and operations.

•    Support operations communications led by COS by collaboratively and pro-actively researching, proposing and undertaking media outreach to deliver communications exclusives tied to operations, projects and activities.

Mission 4: Other duties

•    Under the supervision of the Head of COS, handle urgent and assigned press enquiries received by COM, and provide week-end cover on rotation.

•    Pro-actively deliver communications/media plans tied to operations and other activities.

•    Act in an advisory media role to other units and officials, recommending and explaining options and recommendations.

•    Undertake photographic and video tasks     

•    Carry out any other related activities according to the evolving needs of COM and of the Organization, and as requested by the Head, Content Generation and Operations Support, Head of COM and other hierarchy.

•    As any COM staff member in COM structure, the incumbent can be assigned to also manage on ad hoc basis identified/assigned projects transversal within COM.

REQUIREMENTS

Only professional experience for which candidates can provide official proof of employment will be considered. Candidates are informed that prior to interviews/test they will be asked to provide copies of such official documents.

All candidates will be assessed on the under mentioned requirements.

Training / Education required

• Three-to-four years of education at a University or other specialized higher education establishment required, preferably related to the area in which the incumbent performs his/her duties.

Experience required

• At least 3 years of experience in the areas in which the incumbent performs his/her duties.
• Additional relevant work experience in publishing web content and/or broadcast journalism is desirable.10 years’ experience in the areas is required if the post holder does not have the required level of education.
• Familiarity with the wide range of INTERPOL’s communications activities and knowledge of its communications policies, strategies and practices is desirable.

Specific skills required

• Competent use of MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
• Photoshop and Final Cut Pro X skills desirable.
• Conceptual understanding of writing for web platforms is especially desirable.
• Photographic and video skills would be an advantage    

Languages

• Professional fluency in English.
• Working knowledge of any additional official language of the Organization (Arabic, French and Spanish) would represent an additional asset.

Special aptitudes required

• Personal maturity.
• Ability to maintain objectivity and apply logical, specifically inductive, reasoning
• Ability to synthesize
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to work individually as well as in teams
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels in a multicultural environment
• Strong communications skills, both written and verbal
• Ability to work persistently and under pressure, with discipline and high degree of self-motivation
• Good social  and multicultural skills
• Highly developed initiative, creativity (original thinking) and curiosity
• Ability to develop and maintain professional networks
• Listening skills
• Willingness to learn

WORKING CONDITIONS

•     Remuneration for appointment on contract:
The starting salary for GRADE 5 is EUR 3602 per month for a step 1.
•    The successful candidate may be offered appointment on a higher step depending on professional background and experience. For more information regarding conditions of service, see Employment conditions for contracted officials available on the website (www.interpol.int).
•    The incumbent may occasionally be required to go on missions and work overtime based on workload.

In compliance with INTERPOL’s Confidentiality regime the successful candidate will have to undergo a security screening according to the clearance level attached to the function.

INTERPOL is committed to achieving diversity and inclusion within its workforce. INTERPOL is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes the applications of all qualified candidates who are nationals of INTERPOL member states irrespective of their racial or ethnic origin, opinions or beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, health or disabilities.

INTERPOL places no restrictions on the eligibility of candidates, without distinction as to race or ethnic origin, religion, opinions, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. However, the national policy and laws in force in INTERPOL host states may mean that, staff members’ spouses or partners, while legally recognized by the Organization, are not given the same recognition when they reside in certain duty stations. When this is the case, the Organization will inform the candidates accordingly to ensure that they are aware of the situation and allow them to make an informed decision.

INTERPOL has four official languages: English, French, Spanish and Arabic.

INTERPOL retains the right not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a lower or upper grade or to make an appointment with a modified job description or for a shorter or longer duration than indicated above.

INTERPOL would like to inform candidates that their application may be considered for other similar positions.

INTERPOL operates a non-smoking policy.