UN ECA Public Information Officer (Publishing Officer) Vacancy 2026 – Addis Ababa

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is inviting applications for a Public Information Officer (Publishing Officer), NOC position in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The position is based in the Publications and Conference Management Section (PCMS) of the Administration and Conference Management Division and focuses on publication production, graphic design, digital publishing, editorial production, data analysis, and dissemination of UN publications.

This is a National Professional Officer (NO-C) position and is a position-specific job opening.

Job Summary

The Public Information Officer (Publishing Officer) will support the production and dissemination of United Nations publications and knowledge products. The role covers end-to-end publication production, including publication planning, graphic design, page layout, typography, infographics, cover design, prepress preparation, accessibility, print production, digital publishing, and quality assurance.

The officer will also analyze publishing developments, support data-driven reporting, coordinate with authors, editors, translators, designers, printers, and vendors, and contribute to publishing and information programmes.

Position Details

• Organization: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)
• Department/Office: Economic Commission for Africa
• Job Title: Public Information Officer (Publishing Officer)
• Job Level: NOC / NO-C
• Job Network: Public Information and Conference Management
• Job Family: Public Information
• Recruitment Type: Position Specific Job Opening
• Duty Station: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Job Opening ID: 280814
• Date Posted: 17 September 2026
• Application Deadline: 16 October 2026

Organizational Setting

The position is located within the Administration and Conference Management Division (ACMD), Publications and Conference Management Section (PCMS), of UNECA in Addis Ababa.

The incumbent works under the overall guidance of the Chief of PCMS and the direct supervision of the Chief of the Production Services Unit (PSU).

UNECA's mission is to deliver ideas and actions for an empowered and transformed Africa, informed by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063.

Key Responsibilities

Publishing and Information Programmes

• Support the implementation of publishing and information programmes for priority issues and major events.
• Draft publishing strategies and coordinate production activities.
• Monitor publishing projects and report on progress.
• Take appropriate follow-up action and analyze programme outcomes.
• Monitor current developments and trends in publishing, design, and digital distribution.
• Advise management on relevant publishing developments and potential responses.

Publication Dissemination

• Support the dissemination of UN publications in print, electronic, and multimedia formats.
• Develop outreach and distribution plans.
• Engage proactively with relevant partners and stakeholders.
• Consult clients regarding publication design and production requirements.
• Coordinate information requests and consult with press regarding approaches and story angles.
• Monitor and report on the reach and impact of publications.

Publication Production and Digital Publishing

• Produce or oversee the end-to-end production of United Nations publications.
• Support publication planning, graphic design, page layout, typography, and infographic development.
• Work on cover design, prepress preparation, colour management, accessibility compliance, and print production.
• Support digital publishing and quality assurance.
• Prepare initial publication content based on official UN documentation and other appropriate sources.

Coordination and Stakeholder Relations

• Establish and maintain professional relationships with authors, editors, translators, designers, printers, and vendors.
• Serve as a focal point for specific publishing issues.
• Monitor and report on developments and respond to related inquiries.
• Participate in selecting information and materials for publication and dissemination.
• Provide guidance to junior staff where required.
• Contribute directly to design assignments and mentor staff on publishing workflows, design assignments, and production activities.

Data Analysis and Reporting

• Collect and analyze publishing-related data to identify trends and patterns.
• Present findings through graphs, charts, tables, and reports.
• Apply data visualization methods to support planning, decision-making, presentation, and reporting.
• Ensure that requirements and background information used in data analysis are properly documented.

Required Qualifications

Education

An advanced university degree (Master's degree or equivalent) in one of the following fields or a related field is required:

• Publishing
• Graphic Design
• Visual Communication Design
• Print and Media Technology
• Digital Publishing
• Desktop Publishing
• Industrial Design
• Multimedia Design, with an emphasis on publication design

A first-level university degree combined with qualifying experience may be accepted instead of an advanced university degree.

Successful completion of degree and non-degree programmes in Data Analytics, Business Analytics, or Data Science is an advantage.

Work Experience

A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in one or more of the following areas is required:

• Publication production
• Graphic design
• Desktop publishing
• Editorial production
• Print production
• Digital publishing

Experience using professional desktop publishing software, including:

• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Photoshop

is required.

The following experience is desirable:

• Producing reports, books, or other publications from manuscript through final print-ready and digital formats.
• Page layout, typography, graphic design, prepress preparation, and quality assurance.
• Coordinating with editors, translators, designers, and printers.
• Producing accessible digital publications and interactive PDF publications.
• Working with international organizations or large publishing environments.
• Experience in data analytics or a related field.

Required Language

English is required.

The minimum required level under the UN Language Framework is:

Desirable Language

French is desirable.

Core Competencies

Professionalism

• Knowledge and proven ability to produce digital publications with interactive content.
• Creative approach to visual and multimedia presentation of information.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make recommendations, and provide expert advice and guidance.
• Professional competence and mastery of relevant subject matter.
• Ability to meet commitments, deadlines, and expected results.
• Ability to remain calm when facing difficult problems or challenging situations.
• Ability to analyze and interpret data to support decision-making and communicate findings to management.

Creativity

• Seeks ways to improve programmes and services.
• Develops new approaches to solving problems and meeting client needs.
• Encourages consideration of new ideas and approaches.
• Demonstrates an interest in new ways of working and solving problems.

Client Orientation

• Understands and responds to client needs.
• Builds productive relationships with clients and stakeholders.
• Identifies client requirements and matches them with appropriate solutions.
• Keeps clients informed about project progress and setbacks.
• Meets agreed timelines for products and services.

Managing Performance

• Delegates appropriate responsibility and decision-making authority.
• Ensures roles, responsibilities, and reporting lines are clear.
• Estimates required time and resources and matches tasks to appropriate skills.
• Monitors progress against milestones and deadlines.
• Provides feedback and coaching.
• Supports staff development, creativity, and initiative.
• Appraises performance fairly.

The role also includes a commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by supporting the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.

Assessment

Evaluation of qualified candidates may include a substantive assessment, which may be followed by a competency-based interview.

Special Notice

This position is funded through Regular Programme of Technical Cooperation (RPTC) funds.

The appointment will be on a fixed-term basis and does not carry an expectation, legal or otherwise, of renewal or conversion to another type of appointment. Any extension is subject to satisfactory performance, continuing need for the functions, and availability of funds or extension of the mandate.

The National Professional Officer category requires the candidate to be a national of the country where the position is located and normally recruited in that country or within commuting distance of the office. If no suitable local candidate is identified, Ethiopian nationals residing elsewhere may be considered. In such cases, the candidate would be responsible for travel and relocation costs to Ethiopia if an employment offer is made.

The United Nations states that employment decisions are based on qualifications and organizational needs and that it is committed to a diverse and inclusive working environment. Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants with disabilities to support participation in the recruitment process.

Application Information

Interested candidates should apply through the United Nations Inspira recruitment system.

Job Opening ID: 280814

Application Deadline: 16 October 2026

Apply Online:

Apply Here

Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible after the vacancy is posted and before the stated deadline.

The UN advises applicants to carefully follow the instructions provided through the Inspira recruitment platform and ensure that all information regarding their qualifications and experience is complete and accurate.

Important UN Recruitment Notice

The United Nations does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process, including application, interview, processing, or training. Applicants should disregard requests for payment and exercise caution when providing personal or financial information in response to employment offers.

The UN may conduct reference checks for candidates under serious consideration for selection to verify information provided in the application.

About UNECA

The United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) is the UN regional commission serving Africa. Its work supports economic and social development across the continent and contributes to regional responses to development and policy challenges.

This Public Information Officer position is based at UNECA's office in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and forms part of its Publications and Conference Management functions.

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