Senior Communications Assistant UNOPS LICA 5

Deadline for ApplicationsDecember 5, 2025

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)A (least hardship)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Family

Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA5

Target Start Date2025-12-01

Terms of Reference1. General Background

The South Africa Multi-Country Office (SAMCO) is based in Pretoria, South Africa, and covers the Republic of Botswana, the Union of the Comoros, the Kingdom of eSwatini, the Kingdom of Lesotho, the Republic of Madagascar, the Republic of Mauritius, the Republic of Namibia, the Republic of Seychelles and the Republic of South Africa. As of September 30, 2025, the South Africa Multi-Country Office supports 197,283 registered refugees and asylum-seekers and an estimated 14,796 stateless persons across the nine countries covered by the Office. The protection environment across the nine countries served by the Multi-Country Office is diverse, encompassing low-, middle-, and high-income nations, with refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless persons living in urban areas and camp settings. Refugee law, policy reforms and asylum systems are at various stages of development and implementation across the different countries. Key priorities of the Multi-Country Office include strengthening protection frameworks and asylum systems, improving access to documentation, fostering social cohesion and the inclusion of refugees into national systems, promoting refugee self-reliance and cost-effective and sustainable responses, and working towards ending statelessness.

In an increasingly challenging regional and global environment for refugees and asylum-seekers, the Multi-Country Office aims to substantially strengthen its communication and visibility efforts. The goal is to highlight the plight of refugees, asylum-seekers and stateless persons, their resilience, and their contributions to host countries, ensuring these stories remain in the spotlight and receive national, regional and international attention. The focus will be on building and expanding the online presence and the social media channels. Currently the Office has a Facebook account (UNHCR Southern Africa) and an X account (@UNHCRSouthernAF)

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

• Support the implementation of communications strategies for the countries, programmes and projects covered by the South Africa Multi-Country Office (SAMCO), generating empathy and mobilizing action for forcibly displaced and stateless people.
• Develop, implement, and manage the Multi-Country Office’s social media strategy across multiple platforms, including Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn.
• Create and curate engaging online content, including text, images, videos, and stories that aligns with UNHCR’s mission and appeals to SAMCO’s target audiences in the countries it covers.
• Manage daily posting schedules and monitor social media channels for engagement, inquiries, and feedback. Amplify and tailor messages from Headquarters and the Regional Bureau to ensure consistency and relevance.
• Help ensure that content created reaches maximum impact by supporting the development of strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of our content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
• Track and monitor online content and news across social media to stay informed about emerging trends and issues relevant to UNHCR’s work, providing updates to senior management. Integrate UNHCR’s messaging into ongoing conversations and identify key moments for proactive communication strategies.
• Support the development of news-driven and authoritative content to lead the narrative on forced displacement and show UNHCR’s 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).
• Perform other related duties as required.

3. Desired Candidate Profile

Outstanding communication skills are essential for this role, enabling effective collaboration with diverse teams and partners. The candidate must be an independent, proactive, and creative content creator, as well as a skilled partnership builder capable of establishing and maintaining strong relationships with media, partners, civil society organizations, donors, and other stakeholders, both offline and online.

Furthermore, she/he should possess the cultural sensitivity necessary to navigate the complex Southern African context. A strong commitment to humanitarian principles and UNHCR’s core values, combined with a transparent and accountable approach to external relations, is imperative.

This role demands a dynamic individual who is collaborative yet able to work independently and deliver results. The ideal candidate should have proven experience and skills in managing social media channels, online presence, and media relations, as well as excellent abilities in drafting stories, reports, social media content, press releases, and web stories

4. Monitoring and Progress Controls

The Senior Communications Assistant will be required to report on progress weekly during the External Relations Unit Meeting, where s/he will also present a weekly online posting schedule for review and approval. Progress will be evaluated through metrics such as increases in followers, the establishment of new social media platforms, particularly Instagram and LinkedIn, and the production of new content. Additionally, on a monthly basis, the Senior Communications Assistant will prepare and present a report to the Senior Executive Team, highlighting online growth, emerging trends and issues relevant to the team, and any other relevant updates as needed. Bi-weekly, the Senior Communications Assistant will present key issues and progress updates during the Regional Communications Meeting, which includes all Communications colleagues from Eastern and Southern Africa.

5. Qualifications and Experience

a. Education (Level and area of required and/or preferred education)

A Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Media Studies, or a related field is required. A master’s degree or higher in a relevant area is considered an asset

b. Work Experience

Required Work Experience:

• 3+ years of experience in communications, public relations, or related fields.
• Proven experience developing and implementing communication strategies.
• Strong and proven background in managing and creating content for social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram).
• Experience in writing and editing content for various channels, including social media, press releases, and newsletters.
• Experience working with digital communication tools and social media management platforms
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines.

Considered an Asset:

• Experience in campaign management.
• Skills in creating multimedia content such as videos, graphics, or infographics for social media.
• Knowledge of social media analytics and tools to measure engagement and campaign effectiveness.
• Experience in community management and engaging with audiences online.
• Experience working within international or multicultural environments.
• Knowledge of crisis communication in a social media context.
• Familiarity with media relations and building relationships with journalists and media outlets.

c. Key Competencies

Required Key Competencies:

• Excellent Written and Verbal Communication Skills: Ability to craft clear, engaging, and accurate messages tailored to diverse audiences.
• Social Media Management & Content Creation: Proficiency in managing social media platforms and creating multimedia content.
• Project Management: Ability to plan, prioritize, and deliver multiple projects within deadlines.
• Teamwork and Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively with colleagues and external partners.
• Multicultural Competency: Sensitivity and adaptability working within a diverse cultural environment.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English is required.

Desired Competencies:

• Strategic Planning: Skills in designing and executing targeted communication campaigns.
• Crisis Communication: Ability to manage and respond effectively, especially on social media.
• Creative Thinking: Ability to develop innovative and engaging content ideas.
• Digital Communication Tools: Knowledge of social media management software and basic graphic or video editing skills.
• Advanced Multimedia Skills: Proficiency in video editing, graphic design, or animation tools.
• Knowledge of SEO and Content Optimization: Skills to enhance content visibility online.
• French language knowledge is considered as an asset.

Additional information:

Applications will be accepted only via the online portal. Incomplete and late applications will not be accepted. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Candidates may be required to sit for a written test and/or interviews. Interviews should in principle be competency-based. The evaluation of applicants will be conducted based on the information submitted during the application. Applicants must provide complete and accurate information pertaining to their personal profile and qualifications. No amendment, addition, deletion, revision or modification shall be made to applications that have been submitted. Candidates under serious consideration for selection will be subject to reference checks to verify the information provided in the application. Selection processes in UNHCR are guided by paramount consideration to secure the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity in UNHCR’s workforce. The general principles of transparency and fairness, no-discrimination, diversity and inclusion, and multilingualism apply to all recruitment processes.

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.

UNHCR does not facilitate the obtaining of the work visa for recruitment. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a test. No late applications will be accepted. UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).

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Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance

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