Communications Associate

Hardship Level

A (least hardship)

Family Type

Family

Residential location (if applicable)

Grade

GS6

Staff Member / Affiliate Type

General Service

Reason

Regular > Regular Assignment

Remote work accepted

No

Target Start Date

2025-03-01

Deadline for Applications

February 18, 2025

Standard Job Description

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 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, NGOs, implementing partners, embassies and UN agencies.
The Communications Associate 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

1. 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.
2. Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCR's messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.
3. 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.
4. 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).
5. Help ensure that content created reaches maximum impact by supporting the development of strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
6. Help monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.

Desired Candidate Profile

The Multi-Country Office (MCO) in Saudi Arabia oversees UNHCR’s operations in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries of KSA, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain. UNHCR’s strategic objective in these countries revolves around fostering solid partnerships with local governments, the private sector, and civil society with a view to enhancing advocacy and maximizing support to the forcibly displaced people and their host communities.
The incumbent will support the achievement and implementation of both unit's objectives as outlined in their respective strategic planning documents. She/He will stay abreast of political and policy changes and developments in a way that enhances the office’s external relations efforts, as well as the challenges posed by the political context and organizational developments in the area of forced displacement and humanitarian operations. The incumbent will be closely supervised by the External Relations Officer and will be supporting the core objective of external relations/donor engagement, including with communications-related tools and engagements. She/he will seek functional guidance on media and communications issues from the GCC Communications Officer. Both core and secondary supervisors will provide guidance and advice on a regular basis as/when needed.
Under the External relations role, the incumbent will support UNHCR’s Riyadh office outreach and engagement efforts with all relevant stakeholders to raise and enhance awareness about UNHCR’s areas of work and the humanitarian context while amplifying the voice of the people UNHCR works with and for. The incumbent will support drafting reports, updates, briefing documents, maintenance of the UNHCR KSA website and social media channels, and providing support to the ER officer as needed. This also includes country-based initiatives, events, and campaigns.
Under the communications role, he/she will work, in consultation with the core supervisor, but closely with the GCC Communications unit, based in the UAE, to support the communications roadmap for the GCC region, including supporting with the management of information portals and social media platforms, development of periodic newsletters, presentations, and other material as needed.
Applicants should have a valid KSA residency permit and relevant experience and knowledge of KSA institutions and working environment.
The incumbent must be fluent in both Arabic and English and must possess excellent analytical and communication skills in both.

Shortlisted candidates will be required to sit for a written test and interview.

Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):

Arabic

Desired languages

English

Operational context

Occupational Safety and Health Considerations:

Nature of Position:

Living and Working Conditions:

Additional Qualifications

Skills

Accountability, Analytical Thinking, Arabic Language, Campaign Development, Civil Society Organizations, CO-Digital content production, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Editing, CO-International Media Contacts, CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics), Communication, Computer Literacy, Content Production, Core Values, CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations), Decision Making, Digital Content, Digital Platforms, Donor Engagement, External Relations, Fundraising, Humanitarianism, Languages (Inactive), Media Platforms {+ 19 more}

Education

Certifications

Humanities - Other, Journalism - Other, Social Sciences - Other

Work Experience

Competencies

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

UNHCR Salary Calculator

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

Compendium

Additional Information

Functional clearance

This position doesn't require a functional clearance.