COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER COMMUNICATIONS UNIT




Closing Date: June 4, 2022

Type of Vacancy: /

Details of the Post

Applications are invited from interested and suitably qualified nationals of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Member States and Associate Members of the Caribbean Community to fill the abovementioned position in the Caribbean Community Secretariat with assigned duty station in Guyana.

2.         FUNCTIONS OF THE POST

The Communications Officer is responsible for supporting the Communications Unit in spearheading, coordinating and implementing the CARICOM Secretariat’s public information/education/relation strategies and programmes. The Communications Officer is also responsible for the promotion of a better understanding by the Regional Public and staff of the Secretariat of the goals, objectives and benefits of the Community. The Communications Officer is expected to research, collect, prepare and disseminate information about CARICOM.

3.         QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

A Bachelor’s Degree in Communication or equivalent, plus at least three (3) years of relevant and equivalent level experience as a Public Relations representation, a Journalist or a Public Relations Practitioner working in one of the following institutions:

  • A national or regional media organisation
  • A government information service
  • A regional institution
  • A multinational corporation
  • A public relations firm
  • Large regional or international group/organisation

In addition, the candidate should possess specialized training and good working knowledge in:

  • IT applications for communication including use of social media
  • Audio-visual production skills with expertise in broadcasting
  • French, Dutch or Spanish as a second language
  • Diplomacy

Candidate should also be an independent worker and a self-starter with good communication, writing and conceptual skills. A good understanding of the functioning of the Community is essential.

4.         DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Key Result 1: Assists in the preparation of information to inform the regional public on matters of the Community.

Activities

1.1       ASSISTS in planning and executing programmes to inform the Regional Public on matters related to the programmes, accomplishments and point of views of the Secretariat/Caribbean Community;

1.2       COLLABORATES in the scheduling and preparation of publications and multi-media and audiovisual programming;

1.3       ASSISTS in managing Secretariat’s social media interactions;

1.4       CONDUCTS interviews, UNDERTAKES research, WRITES scripts and PRESENTS programmes;

1.5       ASSISTS in the editing and production of material for publication;

1.6       PREPARES and DISTRIBUTES fact sheets, news releases, scripts and other material to media personnel and stakeholders to publicise the Secretariat’s/Community activities;

1.7       ASSISTS in the planning and conduct of public education and public information programmes designed to meet the Secretariat’s/Community’s objectives;

Key Result 2: Manage the Secretariat’s internal communication programme to inform staff of  various activities

Activities

2.1       ASSISTS in the conduct of the Secretariat’s internal communication programme to inform staff of the various activities of the Secretariat/Community and in the conduct of media-related training;

2.2       CONTACTS media personnel for publicity arrangements;

2.3       ASSISTS in promoting goodwill through such publicity efforts as exhibits, films, tours and question and answer sessions;

2.4       PLANS and SPEARHEADS the evaluation of programmes in a timely manner; and

2.5       CONTRIBUTES to a positive and professional image of the CARICOM Secretariat at all times, in keeping with its Core Values.

In addition to the Activities outlined above, the incumbent is expected to perform other related duties as assigned.

5.         EMOLUMENTS AND BENEFITS

An attractive remuneration package will be offered.

6.         EDUCATION GRANT

The Officer shall be eligible for the payment of an education grant in respect of children (including step-children and legally-adopted children) who require reasonable education facilities that are not available at the assigned duty station or whose education the Officer would not want to disrupt in relocating to take up this appointment.

The grant shall apply to children under the age of twenty-three (23) years and shall not exceed seventy-five per cent (75%) of the cost of tuition (including textbooks), room and board up to a maximum total of EC$16,200.00 per year per child for a maximum of two (2) children at any one time. The grant is payable for a maximum of five (5) years.

7.         SETTLEMENT GRANT

On assumption of duty in Guyana, the Officer shall be paid a settlement grant in respect of the staff member, his or her spouse and each eligible child or other approved dependent. The number of dependents eligible for Settlement Grant shall not exceed six (6) persons.

8.         RECRUITMENT AND APPOINTMENT

Appointment may be on permanent establishment or on secondment from a Public Service or a statutory body of a Member State or approved regional organisation. It will be subject to such regulations, rules, orders and instructions as exist and as may be introduced from time to time in respect of service with the Secretariat.

An Officer recruited from outside the assigned duty station, on first appointment, will be provided economy class air passages by the most direct route for the Officer, spouse and children (provided they are below the age of eighteen (18) years, unmarried and dependent on the Officer) and for such other dependents not exceeding two (2) as may be approved by the    Secretary-General, provided that the number of children and other dependents does not exceed six (6) in all.

In addition to passages, the Officer will be granted the following transportation allowances:

(i)         ocean freight charges, including insurance, for shipping personal and household effects to Guyana, not exceeding 45.3 cubic meters, plus a motor car (if the Officer already owns one);

(ii)        the cost of transporting baggage, personal and household effects from the home of the Officer to the place of embarkation and from the port of disembarkation to the place of residence in Guyana; and the cost of packing and crating personal and household effects.

9.         LEAVE

The Officer will be eligible for the grant of vacation leave at the rate of twenty (20) working days a year and a leave grant after every twelve (12) months of service in respect of the Officer, spouse and up to two dependent children.

10.       PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES

The Officer will be granted the privileges and immunities extended to officials of the Caribbean Community in accordance with Article 8 of the Community’s Headquarters Agreement with the Government of Guyana.

11.       GROUP HEALTH AND LIFE AND ACCIDENT INSURANCE

Subject to your acceptance by the Secretariat’s insurance carrier, Sagicor Life Inc., the Officer will be required to participate in the Secretariat’s group health, life and accident insurance schemes. With respect to the health insurance, the Officer will contribute fifty per cent (50%) of the premium.  The life and accident insurance scheme is non-contributory.

12.       SUPERANNUATION

An Officer appointed to this post will be required to participate in the Secretariat’s Defined Contribution Pension Plan and contribute 7 per cent of basic salary per month, while the Secretariat will contribute 13 percent of the Officer’s basic salary to the pension plan. Where the appointment is on secondment, the Secretariat will pay to the Officer’s substantive employer, over the period of secondment, a contribution not exceeding twenty-five per cent (25%) of the pensionable salary normally payable to the Officer by that employer so as to maintain the pensionable status of the Officer in the substantive employment.

13.       APPLICATIONS

Interested candidates must create a job profile and apply for the position via the CARICOM Secretariat’s Employment Portal. The link can be accessed at – https://caricom.org/opportunities_category/caricom-secretariat-vacancies/ .

14.       The deadline for the submission of applications is 4 June 2022.

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