Communications Associate

Deadline for Applications

Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)

Family Type (not applicable for home-based)

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

Target Start Date

Terms of Reference

The Communications Associate is normally supervised by a Communication Officer or other position as decided by senior management in the area of responsibility. The supervisor provides the incumbent with regular guidance. The incumbent works quite independently on regular assignments with oversight from the supervisor. S/he keeps frequent contacts with staff at various levels in the office and occasionally with staff at the same level in other duty stations and/or Headquarters; with media, local suppliers, NGO, implementing partners, embassies and UN agencies.

S/he will have frequent contacts involving the exchange of a wide range of information with colleagues within UNHCR as well as media, international organizations, academic institutions, and private individuals. Together with the Communication Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for managing media relations for the operation. Extensive existing connections with media organizations is an asset.

The position requires experience producing and publishing high-quality audio-visual content for an international organization, as the incumbent will be responsible for independently producing content for social media, supporting the regional bureau and headquarters with their content requirements, and donor outreach materials. Experience with Adobe Premiere Pro is essential

The incumbent will support the communication team in enhancing the reach of UNHCR’s social media accounts. S/he will be capable of multi-tasking and working to tight deadlines, in a fast-paced environment and as part of a team.

The Communications Associate may also be required to provide support in executing a range of communications activities in the field of news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, video production, Goodwill Ambassadors and other influencers, public outreach and campaigns, designing communication materials, fundraising, analytics and brand. The incumbents may also be required to help strengthen coordination and editorial planning in the area of responsibility, support advocacy, awareness-raising and digital fundraising efforts as well as strengthening analytics to inform the social media strategies and work plans.

S/he will support the Communication Officer in the preparation of press releases, reports and web-stories, with demonstrable written skills in both English and Bengali. The person must have good digital design skills to prepare branded documents, such as posters, flyers, factsheets and other documents.

As the incumbent will be working closely with refugees, knowledge of the Rohingya language would be considered an asset. A clear understanding of the Rohingya crisis is essential, while previous experience working with UN/NGOs on this situation would be preferred.

2. Purpose and Scope of Assignment

-Support the implementation of communications strategies for countries, situations and special projects within the area of responsibility; identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCR's global, regional and country-level communications objectives of leading the narrative, generating empathy and mobilizing action for forcibly displaced and stateless people.

- Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCR's messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.

- Forge and maintain strategic partnerships with media organizations and individual journalists covering the UN, displacement, refugee movements and other related topics.

- Circulate press releases and media advisories to journalists on a regular basis and manage strategic outreach on key themes and events.

- Forge strategic partnerships with other individuals and organizations who can help produce and promote UNHCR content, activities and messaging.

- Lead media missions and field trips with media, donors and other official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work.

- Produce and edit professional audio-visual media content, photography, videography, graphics and written communications materials for target audiences and ensure their timely dissemination via UNHCR's communications channels, ensuring highest quality standards.

- Support content production and publication for social media platforms.

- Provide photography support to UNHCR units, including managing the photo and video directory

- 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.

- May be required to assist in the implementation of campaigns, events and other initiatives in support of UNHCR's strategic objectives, including its need for a leading share of voice on refugee and related matters.

3. Monitoring and Progress Controls

(Clear description of measurable outputs, milestones, key performance indicators and/or reporting requirements which will enable performance monitoring)

- Produce high-quality audio-visual content for UNHCR’s local, regional and global channels

- Produce high-quality written content, including press releases, for UNHCR’s local, regional and global channels, as well as for dissemination in national and international media, in both English and Bengali, on a tight deadline.

- Support the operation with content production to support donor outreach.

- Support the operation, as well as other relevant stakeholders (regional bureau, partnership and donor-facing offices) with the production of high-quality content for their needs.

- Compile and maintain lists of media contacts for the operation, and ensure timely dispatch of press releases and other information to media and other interested parties.

- Respond to enquiries from media, the public, NGOs and government officials etc.

- Support the Communication officer with the translation of audio-visual and written content from Bangla, Rohingya and English.

- Pro-actively circulate press-cuttings of articles in national, regional, international and periodicals that pertain to refugee-related issues and to the work of the office with relevant parties.

- Assist in the organization of PI events such as World Refugee Day and other public awareness raising events.

- Perform other related duties as required.

4. Qualifications and Experience

For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

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

Journalism; Social Sciences; or other relevant field.

Work Experience

(Essential)

Excellent videography and photography skills

Excellent English drafting skills

Experience in working in media relations

Demonstrated skills in digital content production, video editing, and the creation of other multimedia products.

Experience in social media campaigns and writing materials for digital channels and external audiences (e.g., web stories, press releases)

Experience of work with or for international humanitarian organizations.

Experience of work in refugee/forced displacement context.

Experience of work with vendors (for event planning, production of items, services, etc.)

(Desirable)

Completion of UNHCR Learning Programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.

Knowledge of Rohingya (Chittagonian) is an asset

Standard Job Description

Communications Associate

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships

The Communications Associate is normally supervised by a Communication Officer or other position as decided by the senior management in the area of responsibility. The supervisor provides the incumbent with regular guidance. The incumbent works quite independently on regular assignments with an oversight from the supervisor. S/he keeps frequent contacts with staff at various levels in the office and occasionally with staff at the same level in other duty stations and/or Headquarters; with media, local suppliers, NGO, implementing partners, embassies and UN agencies.

The Communications Associates, depending on the organizational structure and location, may also be required to provide support in executing a range of communications activities in the fields of news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, video production, Goodwill Ambassadors and other influencers, public outreach and campaigns, fundraising, analytics and brand. The incumbents may also be required to help strengthen coordination and editorial planning in the area of responsibility, support advocacy, awareness-raising and digital fundraising efforts as well as strengthening analytics to inform the social media strategies and work plans.

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 UNHCR's core values of professionalism, integrity and respect for diversity.

Duties

- Support the implementation of communications strategies for countries, situations and special projects within the area of responsibility; help identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCR's global, regional and country-level communications objectives of leading the narrative, generating empathy and mobilizing action for forcibly displaced and stateless people.

- Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCR's messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.

- Help 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.

- 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).

- Help ensure that content created reaches maximum impact by supporting the development of strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of out content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.

- Help monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly.

- Assist in research, preparation, editing and production of professional media and communications materials for target audiences and ensure their timely dissemination via UNHCR's communications channels, ensuring highest quality standards.

- 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.

- May be required to assist in implementation of campaigns, events and other initiatives in support of UNHCR's strategic objectives, including its need for a leading share of voice on refugee and related matters.

- May be required to undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work.

- 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.

Minimum Qualifications

Years of Experience / Degree Level

For G6 - 3 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 2 years relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Not applicable.

Certificates and/or Licenses

Journalism, Social Sciences, Humanities or related fields

(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience

Essential

Excellent computer skills and knowledge of MS Office applications. Excellent drafting skills.

Desirable

Experience implementing communications strategies. Professional writing and editing skills. Experience working on advocacy campaigns.

Functional Skills

CO-International Media Contacts

CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)

CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)

CO-Editing

CO-Drafting and Documentation

CO-Digital content production

(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.

Required Languages

,

,

Desired Languages

,

,

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Education

Certifications

Work Experience

Other information

Remote