Hardship Level: C

Family Type: Family

Grade: GS5

Staff Member / Affiliate Type: General Service

Reason: Regular > Regular Assignment

Target Start Date: 2025-02-01

Deadline for Applications: December 25, 2024

Standard Job Description

Senior Communications Assistant

Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
The Senior Communications Assistant 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 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.

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

• Regularly monitor media and local situation regarding UNHCR.
• Follow-up on administrative and logistical arrangements to organise press briefings and other events, such as workshop and conferences.
• Contribute to the production of information materials for public awareness campaigns and for the preparation of in-house bulletins, newsletters and information kits by contributing to articles, reports and other information gathered from various sources.
• Liaise with printers concerning brochures and publications published by the office.
• Draft routine correspondence and texts for the office's website and maintain information databases.
• Compile and distribute a daily news clipping service.
• Distribute press statements and similar information to media, to other offices locally as well as to Headquarters.
• Maintain up-to-date filing system and appointments diary.
• 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 G5 - 2 years relevant experience with High School Diploma; or 1 year relevant work experience with Bachelor or equivalent or higher

Field(s) of Education

Certificates and/or Licenses in International Relations; Journalism; Political Science;
(Certificates and Licenses marked with an asterisk* are essential)

Relevant Job Experience
Essential

• Some work experience relevant to the position. Communication and computer skills. Excellent drafting skills as well as translation and interpreting skills.

Desirable

• Completion of UNHCR learning programmes or specific training relevant to functions of position.

Functional Skills

• CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)
• CO-Drafting and Documentation
• IT-Web Content Management
• CO-Digital content production
• CO-Social Media Publishing/Monitoring/Marketing tools
• IT-Web publishing

(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

• Candidate with experience in implementing communications strategies.
• Professional writing and editing skills.
• Experience working on advocacy campaigns.
• Candidate must possess desirable experience in coordination or partners, content production, social media, working with influencers, and running public outreach and campaigns.
• Strong reporting, drafting/writing skills in both English, as well as strong communication skills is a must
• Be able to manage brand, visibility and working with vendors.
• The applicant should be able to use digital tools and social platforms

Additional Qualifications

Skills

CO-Digital content production, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics), CO-Social Media Publishing/Monitoring/Marketing tools, IT-Web Content Management, IT-Web publishing

Education

Certifications

International Relations - Other, Journalism - Other, Political Science - Other

Work Experience

Competencies

Accountability, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Innovation & creativity, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Teamwork & collaboration, Technological awareness

UNHCR Salary Calculator

https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales

Compendium

The English version is considered original and authoritative, translation to other language(s) serve the purpose of advertisement of local positions where applicable but are not considered as official translations

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance