Hardship LevelB
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradePR2
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeProfessional
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Remote work acceptedNo
Target Start Date2024-01-01
Job Posting End DateNovember 28, 2023
Standard Job Description
Associate Communications Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In line with its Global Communications Strategy, UNHCR requires skilled communications professionals to conceive and execute a range of activities that help us lead the narrative on forced displacement, generate empathy and mobilize action. This body of work spans communications strategy and coordination, news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, Goodwill Ambassadors and other influencers, public outreach and campaigns, fundraising, analytics and brand.
UNHCRยฟs Associate Communications Officers need to cultivate a keen understanding of our target audiencesยฟincluding an up-to-the-minute grasp of the methods and tone of voice that resonate deeply, win trust and spark quality engagement. They must be vigilant about editorial and journalistic standards, attentive to protection concerns and political sensitivities, and focused on communicating successfully with key demographics. These audiences will vary by location, language and platform, among other factors, as well as whether the aim is to inform, advocate or raise funds.
The Associate Communications Officersยฟ functions, working relationships and skills specializations differ depending on language, location, grade, and whether they sit within a country operation, a regional bureau or the Global Communications Service. UNHCRยฟs primary target audiences include public, media and policymakers, while our main partners and influencers include peers and private sector, trusted figures and our own workforce. Some communicators will focus mainly on news and media relations, for example, while others will produce multimedia content, manage social media accounts or lead advocacy campaigns. Forging partnerships with media outlets that reach target audiences is a central role for all Associate Communications Officers.
All Associate Communications Officers are expected to work strategically in support of UNHCRยฟs operational and communications objectives for their geographic area of responsibility (AoR) as well as global priorities. Communications approaches should reflect our core values as an organization that is caring, trustworthy, proactive, outcome-focused and responsive. This will reinforce UNHCRยฟs role as the lead agency that protects refugees, internally displaced and stateless people and mobilizes action to provide solutions.ยฟ
All UNHCR staff members are accountable to perform their duties as reflected in their job description. They do so within their delegated authorities, in line with the regulatory framework of UNHCR which includes the UN Charter, UN Staff Regulations and Rules, UNHCR Policies and Administrative Instructions as well as relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, staff members are required to discharge their responsibilities in a manner consistent with the core, functional, cross-functional and managerial competencies and UNHCRยฟs core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.
Duties
- Support the implementation of communications strategies for countries, situations and special projects; identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCRยฟs global communications objectives.
- Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCRยฟs messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.
- Forge strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations who can help produce and promote UNHCR content, activities and messaging as well as provide research insights to improve communications; promote the work of engaged businesses and civil society actors.
- Contribute to the development of news-driven and authoritative content to lead the narrative on forced displacement and show UNHCRยฟs impact (e.g. interviews, press releases, flagship reports, speeches), create emotive storytelling to generate empathy (e.g. stories, multimedia content) and mobilize action by signposting concrete steps people can take to help refugees (e.g. digital diplomacy, action-driven campaigns, fundraising).
- Support the supervisor in ensuring content created reaches maximum impact by developing strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of our content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
- Closely monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly. Benchmark the results of communications projects against set success indicators; build on communications successes.
Additional duties for news and media roles:
- Implement communications strategies, campaigns, events and other initiatives in support of UNHCR's strategic objectives, including its need for leading share of voice on refugee and related matters, and ensure coverage of refugee situations in their country or region in global and domestic media.
- Research, prepare, fact-check, edit and produce professional media and communications materials for target audiences and ensure their timely dissemination via UNHCR's communications channels, ensuring highest quality standards.
- Draft media releases, statements and media briefing notes, and secure clearances, working in conjunction with relevant focal points and keeping sensitive to needs of both internal and external audiences.
- Act as a spokesperson for UNHCR, organizing press events, handling interviews requests and providing responses to requests from media relating to UNHCR and its work.
- Engage with journalists and public audiences via social media channels.
- Regularly provide ideas for communications initiatives and considered professional communications advice to senior staff of UNHCR.
- Undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work.
- Actively maintain media relations for UNHCR, ensuring that media (and other important external stakeholders, such as governments, embassies, NGOs etc.) are briefed regularly on issues of importance to UNHCR, and have access to information and UNHCR expertise.
- Prepare and manage communications budgets.
- Ensure alignment with UNHCRยฟs global branding and messaging.
- Continually maintain and upgrade communications skills, keeping abreast of emerging platforms and tools, and systematically reviewing media impact results and other measurement tools for learning purposes.
Additional duties for news and media roles within the Global Communications Service
- Oversee coordination of communications work for their designated regions and thematic issues, working closely with communications staff in bureaux and country offices and in collaboration with senior communications officers/advisers in that region.
- Manage a wide network of relationships at all levels across bureaux, divisions and offices (including the Executive Office) to ensure timely internal information sharing as a foundation for grounded communications, and to build consensus around communications proposals.
- Maintain close involvement in communications recruitment and training needs for assigned regions, keeping in mind UNHCRยฟs goals of employing and retaining the worldยฟs leading humanitarian communications expertise.
Additional duties for news and media roles within Country Offices
- Act as the primary interface on communications matters between the country office and the Global Communications Service.
- Support the supervisor in crisis communications work for the country within the AoR, alerting the GCS/News & Media Sectionยฟs crisis communications lead to risk issues and ensuring close coordination.
Additional duties for news and media roles within Regional Bureaux
- Regularly provide ideas for communications initiatives and considered professional communications advice to senior Bureau staff and Representatives of Country Operations overseen by the Bureau.
- Oversee data and information gathering and sharing of information with a view to ensuring the Bureauยฟs authority as a centre of up to date knowledge and expertise relating to its region.
- Ensure Bureau staff are aware of UNHCRยฟs global positioning needs.
-Support the identification and management of risks and seek to seize opportunities impacting objectives in the area of responsibility. Ensure decision making in risk based in the functional area of work. Raise risks, issues and concerns to a supervisor or to relevant functional colleague(s).
- Perform other related duties as required.ยฟ
Minimum Qualifications
Education & Professional Work Experience
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P2/NOB - 3 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 2 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 1 year relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Journalism; International Relations; Political Science;
Communications; Public Information; Media
Film / Video; or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Minimum 1 year of professional experience in journalism and/or communications, mainly at international level.
Desirable
Strong social media presence. Experience working on advocacy campaigns. Experience working with goodwill ambassadors and other high-profile influencers. Experience with brand management. Experience with measurement and evaluation, especially providing analysis of media coverage, social media engagement, web traffic, etc. Experience reporting, writing, editing for magazines, newspapers and websites. Experience using digital asset management systems. Experience with digital analytics and performance reporting.
Functional Skills
Required skills will vary according to the precise nature of the role, location, etc. but may include:
CO-Digital content production
CO-Editing
CO-International Media Contacts
CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)
CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches
CO-Public Speaking
CO-Spokesperson skills
CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
IT-Web Content Management
CO-Drafting and Documentation
(Functional Skills marked with an asterisk* are essential)
Language Requirements
For International Professional and Field Service jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English.
For National Professional jobs: Knowledge of English and UN working language of the duty station if not English and local language.
For General Service jobs: Knowledge of English and/or UN working language of the duty station if not English.
All UNHCR workforce members must individually and collectively, contribute towards a working environment where each person feels safe, and empowered to perform their duties. This includes by demonstrating no tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse, harassment including sexual harassment, sexism, gender inequality, discrimination and abuse of power.
As individuals and as managers, all must be proactive in preventing and responding to inappropriate conduct, support ongoing dialogue on these matters and speaking up and seeking guidance and support from relevant UNHCR resources when these issues arise.
This is a Standard Job Description for all UNHCR jobs with this job title and grade level. The Operational Context may contain additional essential and/or desirable qualifications relating to the specific operation and/or position. Any such requirements are incorporated by reference in this Job Description and will be considered for the screening, shortlisting and selection of candidates.
Desired Candidate Profile The successful candidate should have solid experience in communication and public information, including social media. S/he should possess excellent communication skills, both orally and in writing. A demonstrated capacity to work closely with diverse teams and to work collaboratively would also essential. The incumbent is expected to be a forward-thinker and solutions-oriented.
- Supporting the implementation of communications strategies and plans for countries, situations and special projects, identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCRโs communications objectives.
- Monitoring news and popular trends to insert UNHCRโs messaging into ongoing conversations and identify key moments for proactive communications.
- Forging strategic partnerships with individuals and organizations who can help produce and promote UNHCR content, activities and messaging as well as provide research insights to improve communications.
- Contribute to the development of content to lead the narrative on forced displacement and show UNHCRโs impact (e.g. interviews, press releases, flagship reports, speeches).
- Creating emotive storytelling to generate empathy (e.g. stories, multimedia content) and mobilize action (e.g. digital diplomacy, action-driven campaigns, fundraising).
- In collaboration with the supervisor, ensuring content created reaches maximum impact by developing strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of our content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels, incl. various social media platforms.
- Closely monitoring the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly.
- Supporting the supervisor in crisis communications, if/when relevant.
- Performing other related duties as required.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Nature of Position:
As result of multiple and overlapping crises in the country, including the recent conflict in Northern Ethiopia, the worst drought in 40 years, and, in recent months, heavy floods in several parts of the country, more than 28 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia in 2023.
UNHCR supports the Government of Ethiopia and regional authorities to provide life-saving assistance and protection services to close to a million refugees, including those recently arrived from Sudan and Somalia, and over 3 million internally displaced persons. The Agency is also supporting the implementation of the engagements made by the Government of Ethiopia during the 2019 Global Refugee Forum with regards to the creation of additional jobs and livelihoods, the provision of quality training, the strengthening of the asylum system and social protection as well as the provision of renewable energy solutions. The needs of refugees and IDPs are significantly underfunded in Ethiopia at only 33% so far in 2023. Funding gaps deeply impacts the provision of live saving interventions, including in the areas of protection, shelter, health, WASH, education, as well as in urban settings.
Based in Addis Ababa, under the direct supervision of the Senior External Relations Officer, the Associate Communications Officer has a key role in supporting visibility, communications and media engagement efforts, in particular to coordinate the development of content to lead the narrative on forced displacement and show UNHCRโs impact in Ethiopia.
Living and Working Conditions:
Addis Ababa is the capital of Ethiopia. the city has an estimated population of 3 million inhabitants. It is where the African Union is headquartered. It also hosts the headquarters of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), as well as various other continental and international organizations.
UN staff members and members of the Affiliate Workforce reside in commercial accommodation available in town. There are limited medical facilities in Addis that are equipped to deal with moderate medical cases. Evacuation opportunities are also limited. However, air ambulance evacuation can be organized for life- threatening emergencies during day time. Candidates with conditions requiring regular treatment or medical supervision should be appropriately advised.
The climate of Ethiopia and the regions varies greatly. It is temperate on the plateau and hot in the lowlands. Generally, the high elevation of the land affects one's adjustment to the environment. At Addis Ababa, which ranges from 2,200 to 2,600 m (7,218 to 8,530 ft), the maximum temperature is 26 ยฐC (78.8 ยฐF) and minimum 4 ยฐC (39.2 ยฐF). The weather is usually sunny and dry, but the short (belg) rains occur from February to April and the large (meher) rains from mid-June to mid-September.
The economy of Ethiopia is a mixed and transition economy with a large public sector. The Government of Ethiopia is in the process of privatizing many of the state-owned businesses and moving toward a market economy. However, the banking, telecommunication and transportation sectors of the economy are dominated by Government-owned companies.
The local currency is the Ethiopian Birr. Foreign currency may only be changed at authorized banks and hotels. Exchange of foreign currency outside the regulated banks (Black Market) is a criminal offence, and international UN personnel caught by police sting operations have been known to be arrested and detained for several days. Any entry or exit of cash in excess of US$3,000 (or the equivalent in other foreign currencies) must be declared to the customs authority. ATM cash withdrawals are largely available in Addis. AMEX is generally not accepted. Payment with credit card is possible in a few selected shops and tourism areas, but this form of payment is expanding.
There is an acceptable access to communication means, such as internet, telephone sim cards etc.
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCO-Media monitoring and analysis, CO-Public Information, CO-Social media campaigns/community management
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Communication, Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Journalism, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science
CertificationsHCR Learning Program - UNHCR
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Compendium Add. 1 to Bi-annual Compendium 2023 - Part B
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position requires Functional Clearance