SENIOR SPEECHWRITER

New York, NY

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

This position is located in the Strategic Communication and Speechwriting Unit in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General. The incumbent reports to the Chief of the Speechwriting Unit. The EOSG, under the guidance of the Secretary-General (SG), work as a team pursuing in a cohesive and coherent manner, the SG's vision, priorities and policies for his second mandate in office. It seeks alignment of the United Nations family with the SG's vision, priorities and policies. It is guided by the necessity of securing the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity and of achieving gender and regional balance among staff. All EOSG unit will support the EOSG senior officials, as appropriate, depending on the tasks at hand, regardless of which senior official they formally report to, and will work together through a matrix team approach, as necessary, to ensure EOSG leads by example on integration and cross-pillar work.

Responsibilities

• Write and edit a wide range of materials for the Secretary-General, Deputy Secretary-General and others, including speeches, remarks, op-ed articles, video messages, talking points, press statements, on issues that cover the full spectrum of the United Nations agenda.
• Consult with the Secretary-General and senior advisors on both the form and content of speeches and other materials, in line with the Secretary-General's vision and the Organization's communications strategy.
• Liaise with Secretariat departments, UN agencies, members of civil society, the private sector and others to produce speeches and other materials that are persuasive, politically sound and factually accurate.
• Develop and maintain relationships with a wide range of stakeholders throughout the United Nations system and beyond.
• Review and edit draft texts to ensure accuracy, clarity, and effectiveness.
• Support programmatic/administrative tasks necessary for the well-functioning of the Unit (Unit workplan, staffing and recruitment etc.).
• Manage the performance evaluation of staff of the Unit (E-PAS); provides guidance and training and mentoring of staff.
• Contribute as required to the formulation of policy and communications advice, and to strategic decision-making around the Secretary-General's communications.
• Liaise closely with the Department of Global Communications and the Office of the Spokesperson to ensure coordinated and relevant communications priorities.

Requirements

• Advanced university degree or equivalent degree in political sciences, international relations, journalism, public administration or related field is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in drafting high-quality materials, including speeches, in English is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in communications and public information or journalism is required.
• Knowledge of international political, economic and social affairs issues, including the work of the United Nations is desirable.
• Experience working with international organizations is desirable.
• Fluency in English is required, and a working knowledge of French is desirable.