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GSFS Haiti-Spokesperson/Public Information Officer-P4-Port au Prince, Haiti
Port au Prince, HaitiPosition Title: Spokesperson/Public Information Officer in the Office of the Special Representative
Receiving Agency: Gang Suppression Force Secretariat Haiti
P Level: P4
Location: Port au Prince, Haiti
Duration: 18 months (Until Sep, 2027)
Language: English and French fluency required. Fluency is Haitian Creole is an advantage.
Background
On 30 September 2025, the United Nations Security Council authorized, in resolution 2793 (UNSCR 2793), Member States to transition the deployed Multinational Security Support (MSS) in Haiti to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), in close cooperation and coordination with the Government of Haiti, for an initial period of twelve months. The GSF mandate includes multiple tasks, including to conduct intelligence-led targeted, counter-gang operations to neutralize, isolate, and deter gangs that continue to threaten the civilian population, abuse human rights and undermine Haitian institutions.
The United Nations Secretary-General is authorized to establish a UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) to provide comprehensive logistical and operational support to the GSF and to the Haitian National police (HNP) and the Haitian armed forces on any joint operations with the GSF. UNSOH will also provide technical support, through voluntary funding contributions, to the Organization of American States (OAS) SECURE-Haiti project and will provide standard United Nations mission support services to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).
The Standing Group of Partners (SGP) has the role of providing, in consultation with the Government of Haiti, high-level strategic direction, oversight, and relevant political decision-making for the GSF as appropriate. The SGP is overall responsible for (a) securing voluntary financial contributions for GSF personnel costs reimbursements; (b) facilitating force (military and police) generation; and (c) providing high level strategic representation and coordination for the GSF.
The SGP shall appoint a Special Representative (SR) who, as in-country head of the GSF, will report to the SGP and provide strategic oversight, representation and coordination for the GSF. The SGP appointed GSF Force Commander shall report to the SR and is responsible for operational command and day-to-day operational decision-making for the uniformed components of the GSF.
The SR is supported by an Office of the SR (the civilian component of the GSF)
Career Experience
The Spokesperson / Public Information Officer (PIO) shall have: a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public information, journalism, external relations and outreach or related area. A minimum of three years in-country field experience in conflict, post-conflict, or transition countries on issues relevant to media relations, digital media, radio, outreach and/or public relations is required. Experience as a spokesperson and/or senior media relations officer is desirable. Knowledge of the media landscape in the Caribbean region and specifically Haiti is desirable. Experience working in strategic communications within the United Nations system, or a comparable international organization is desirable. An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in journalism, communications, international relations, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Languages
Fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required. Fluency in Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen) is an advantage.
Responsibilities of the Spokesperson/PIO
The Spokesperson/PIO is based in Port-au-Prince and shall report to the Chief Strategic Communications. The Spokesperson/PIO serves as the GSF’s main public-facing spokesperson and manager of media relations; and to this end provides authoritative, timely, and accurate information to Haitian and international audiences, ensuring that public communications reinforce the strategic effects defined by the Chief Strategic Communications and are synchronized with operational requirements. In particular:
• Serve as lead spokesperson for the GSF; provide technical and policy advice on media and communications issues; develop and disseminate messages, press lines and press releases on specific occasions, events, crises, and all other opportunities identified by GSF leadership to express its views and share its opinions; represent the mission in public forums, conferences and events on behalf of GSF senior leadership, as may be required;
• Draft and issue GSF press statements, press releases, information notes and other material for the media, setting quality and production standards for information dissemination; draft and provide communications materials (op-ed, briefings, speeches, media analysis/guidance, talking points, questions and answers) for use by GSF senior officials in their relations with the media;
• Manage media relations, giving on record and background press briefings and interviews on behalf of the GSF to national, regional and international media; prepare and present GSF weekly press briefing and oversee transcript of material and verbatim preparation and dissemination; establish and maintain a cooperative relationship with local, regional and international journalists; arrange interviews and/or background briefings with senior GSF officials and facilitate the daily work of journalists covering the mission, including media visits and embeds to the mission as may be required.
• Develop, implement and assess a GSF media strategy and work plan, including utilizing digital and multimedia platforms as part of the strategy; in consultation with the Chief Strategic Communications, advise the SR and senior GSF leadership on media strategy and approach; develop and implement a system of daily media monitoring and regular media trends analyses for GSF leadership;
• Build and maintain relationships with Haitian and international media, Government of Haiti public information office, local authorities, the BINUH spokesperson, the OAS spokesperson, civil society, media associations, diaspora channels, and other key constituencies to ensure key messages are conveyed and support communications campaigns.
• Develop and implement a GSF crisis media strategy, and ensure timely media communications in reaction to crisis situations; respond in a timely fashion to disinformation that could impact negatively on the public perception of the GSF and/or the mission’s leadership.
• Produce and share key messaging, press activities and guidance with other sections of the Strategic Communications and Public Information Unit as part of daily functions as well as to fulfill strategic objectives and implement the GSF overall strategic communications plan.
• Serve as Officer-in-Charge of the Strategic Communications and Public Information Unit in the Chief Strategic Communications absence.
The Spokesperson/PIO shall during GSF start-up and thereafter be responsible for the following tasks:
Media Management & Monitoring
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.
Receiving Agency: Gang Suppression Force Secretariat Haiti
P Level: P4
Location: Port au Prince, Haiti
Duration: 18 months (Until Sep, 2027)
Language: English and French fluency required. Fluency is Haitian Creole is an advantage.
Background
On 30 September 2025, the United Nations Security Council authorized, in resolution 2793 (UNSCR 2793), Member States to transition the deployed Multinational Security Support (MSS) in Haiti to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), in close cooperation and coordination with the Government of Haiti, for an initial period of twelve months. The GSF mandate includes multiple tasks, including to conduct intelligence-led targeted, counter-gang operations to neutralize, isolate, and deter gangs that continue to threaten the civilian population, abuse human rights and undermine Haitian institutions.
The United Nations Secretary-General is authorized to establish a UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) to provide comprehensive logistical and operational support to the GSF and to the Haitian National police (HNP) and the Haitian armed forces on any joint operations with the GSF. UNSOH will also provide technical support, through voluntary funding contributions, to the Organization of American States (OAS) SECURE-Haiti project and will provide standard United Nations mission support services to the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).
The Standing Group of Partners (SGP) has the role of providing, in consultation with the Government of Haiti, high-level strategic direction, oversight, and relevant political decision-making for the GSF as appropriate. The SGP is overall responsible for (a) securing voluntary financial contributions for GSF personnel costs reimbursements; (b) facilitating force (military and police) generation; and (c) providing high level strategic representation and coordination for the GSF.
The SGP shall appoint a Special Representative (SR) who, as in-country head of the GSF, will report to the SGP and provide strategic oversight, representation and coordination for the GSF. The SGP appointed GSF Force Commander shall report to the SR and is responsible for operational command and day-to-day operational decision-making for the uniformed components of the GSF.
The SR is supported by an Office of the SR (the civilian component of the GSF)
Career Experience
The Spokesperson / Public Information Officer (PIO) shall have: a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public information, journalism, external relations and outreach or related area. A minimum of three years in-country field experience in conflict, post-conflict, or transition countries on issues relevant to media relations, digital media, radio, outreach and/or public relations is required. Experience as a spokesperson and/or senior media relations officer is desirable. Knowledge of the media landscape in the Caribbean region and specifically Haiti is desirable. Experience working in strategic communications within the United Nations system, or a comparable international organization is desirable. An advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in journalism, communications, international relations, or related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two (2) additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Languages
Fluency in English and French (both oral and written) is required. Fluency in Haitian Creole (Kreyòl Ayisyen) is an advantage.
Responsibilities of the Spokesperson/PIO
The Spokesperson/PIO is based in Port-au-Prince and shall report to the Chief Strategic Communications. The Spokesperson/PIO serves as the GSF’s main public-facing spokesperson and manager of media relations; and to this end provides authoritative, timely, and accurate information to Haitian and international audiences, ensuring that public communications reinforce the strategic effects defined by the Chief Strategic Communications and are synchronized with operational requirements. In particular:
• Serve as lead spokesperson for the GSF; provide technical and policy advice on media and communications issues; develop and disseminate messages, press lines and press releases on specific occasions, events, crises, and all other opportunities identified by GSF leadership to express its views and share its opinions; represent the mission in public forums, conferences and events on behalf of GSF senior leadership, as may be required;
• Draft and issue GSF press statements, press releases, information notes and other material for the media, setting quality and production standards for information dissemination; draft and provide communications materials (op-ed, briefings, speeches, media analysis/guidance, talking points, questions and answers) for use by GSF senior officials in their relations with the media;
• Manage media relations, giving on record and background press briefings and interviews on behalf of the GSF to national, regional and international media; prepare and present GSF weekly press briefing and oversee transcript of material and verbatim preparation and dissemination; establish and maintain a cooperative relationship with local, regional and international journalists; arrange interviews and/or background briefings with senior GSF officials and facilitate the daily work of journalists covering the mission, including media visits and embeds to the mission as may be required.
• Develop, implement and assess a GSF media strategy and work plan, including utilizing digital and multimedia platforms as part of the strategy; in consultation with the Chief Strategic Communications, advise the SR and senior GSF leadership on media strategy and approach; develop and implement a system of daily media monitoring and regular media trends analyses for GSF leadership;
• Build and maintain relationships with Haitian and international media, Government of Haiti public information office, local authorities, the BINUH spokesperson, the OAS spokesperson, civil society, media associations, diaspora channels, and other key constituencies to ensure key messages are conveyed and support communications campaigns.
• Develop and implement a GSF crisis media strategy, and ensure timely media communications in reaction to crisis situations; respond in a timely fashion to disinformation that could impact negatively on the public perception of the GSF and/or the mission’s leadership.
• Produce and share key messaging, press activities and guidance with other sections of the Strategic Communications and Public Information Unit as part of daily functions as well as to fulfill strategic objectives and implement the GSF overall strategic communications plan.
• Serve as Officer-in-Charge of the Strategic Communications and Public Information Unit in the Chief Strategic Communications absence.
The Spokesperson/PIO shall during GSF start-up and thereafter be responsible for the following tasks:
- Produce a work plan for approval by the Chief Strategic Communications
- Provide activity data and function related information as requested to inform the GSF budget submission and review process.
- Ensure handover notes are produced to ensure institutional knowledge is passed to any replacement or incoming Spokesperson/PIO.
- Ensure effective reporting lines and public statements clearance processes are agreed to, either directly to the Chief of Staff (CoS) or SR, or through the Chief Strategic Communications.
- Maintain close contact with the SR, the Force Commander, the military, police and maritime component leadership and the Joint Operations Center (JOC) to have accurate and up-to-date information on GSF activities and priorities.
- Prepare, lead and anchor a regular GSF press conference from Port-au-Prince and elsewhere if needed, and oversee transcript of material and verbatim preparation and dissemination, to sustain legitimacy and reduce reliance on rumour networks.
- In addition to preparing and issuing official statements on behalf of the GSF, be prepared to provide information on the GSF to SGP members, the OAS, the government of Haiti or the United Nations system as required.
Media Management & Monitoring
- Arrange for media representatives to meet with senior GSF members and facilitate the daily work of journalists covering the GSF and facilitates visits by media within the GSF area.
- Coordinates and arranges the issuance of GSF press credentials as appropriate.
- Collect and analyze media data and GSF coverage to identify trends or patterns and provide insights using data visualization methods to enable data-driven planning, decision-making, presentation and reporting.
- In addition to traditional media sources, seek to utilize digital media, as appropriate, to disseminate information and engage in communications, including such platforms as website, Facebook, Instagram and other existing and emerging digital platforms.
- Conduct media monitoring to detect misreporting, narrative shifts, and early indicators of harmful rumours; coordinate with the Chief Strategic Communications to issue corrections and counter-narratives quickly.
- Ensure all public statements from the SR, the CoS, the GSF Force Commander and other senior uniformed component members are informed by and support the GSF Strategic Communications Synchronization plan.
- Provide internal thematic or subject specific briefing notes, question and answer (Q&As) briefing notes, and media guidance to assist authorized GSF members to engage with the media or issue public statements assist, assisting them to avoid issuing contradictory or harmful messages.
- Train selected GSF personnel on media engagement.
- Work closely with the Unit’s Content Officer to ensure timing, tone, and sequencing of crisis messaging fit the broader narrative.
- Approve release platforms (radio, social, community channels) according to audience and risk.
CANADEM and its partners have a no-tolerance policy for inaction to prevent, respond to and follow up on alleged cases of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). For this reason, we adhere to all policies, procedures and training of the United Nations on The Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH). CANADEM mandates all deployees successfully complete the PSEA online course. This e-learning course is composed of a set of lessons designed to raise awareness about SEAH, become familiar with a range of measures to combat SEAH, understand the impact on victims and the consequences for UN Personnel who commit Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment.