GradeGS5
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeGeneral Service
ReasonTemporary > Temporary Assignment/ Appointment
Hardship LevelH (no hardship)
Family TypeFamily<p></p><p></p>
Residential location (if applicable)
Target Start Date2023-06-01
Target End Date2023-12-31
Job Posting End DateMay 6, 2023
Standard Job DescriptionSenior 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. - 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 Not applicable. Certificates and/or Licenses 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 ProfileItaly remains one of the major points of arrival for persons of concern seeking protection to Europe, with most of them arriving by sea via the Mediterranean. In 2022, 105,129 migrants and refugees originating from 57 countries arrived in Italy by sea with Italy receiving 66% of all sea arrivals to Southern Europe and representing an increase of 56% compared to 2021. Sicily alone received 70% of all arrivals to Italy and only Governmental reception facilities in the Region hosts the 10% of migrants in reception in the country, representing the third region after Lombardy and Emilia Romagna. Based upon current arrival trends, in 2023 Italy is continuing to receive a large number of people by sea, land and air. While there have been fluctuations in levels of arrivals, the drivers of the movements from the Sahel, Tigray and other countries, such as Afghanistan and Iran, moving along the Central Mediterranean and Balkan routes will remain or worsen because of the negative impacts of conflicts, the global pandemic and climate change.
In Italy, UNHCR works with the Italian government, other organizations and refugees themselves to uphold the basic human rights of stateless persons and people forced to flee, and to improve laws and national systems so refugees and stateless persons stay safe, get documents, can go to school, work and exercise other rights. Through its staff and partners, UNHCR is engaged in activities aimed at ensuring full and equal enjoyment of rights by all persons of concern, addressing protection risks in an Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD) sensitive manner, with a particular focus on persons with specific needs, such as unaccompanied and separated children (UASC) and survivors of gender-based violence (GBV). UNHCR's protection delivery is based on a community-based protection approach, which aims at putting people of concern at the center of all decisions affecting their lives. Based on this approach, UNHCR promotes active refugee participation in all aspects of the UNHCR programme cycle, builds protection strategies and solutions in partnership with them and supports the community's own goals, also through better communication with communities.
UNHCR staff perform a variety of tasks country-wide, including: attending key phases of disembarkation procedures, providing new arrivals with information on international protection and other relevant procedures, through leaflets and group information sessions, and supporting the authorities in identifying persons with specific needs; monitoring land border procedures and their potential impact on access to international protection, focusing in particular on people with specific needs; conducting visits to reception facilities across the country, liaising with relevant authorities to ensure that safe, dignified accommodation conditions are provided; working with authorities and partners to identify persons with additional protection needs, such as UASC, survivors of GBV and other persons at risk, so that they can be promptly referred for follow-up and appropriate services; and providing support to the National Commission for the Right to Asylum, including on the reform of the RSD procedure. UNHCR also seeks to help refugees thrive in Italy and fully contribute to the economic, cultural and social life of the country, through support to the implementation of the Government's national integration plan, provision of information and counselling on rights, entitlements and obligations, engagement with the private sector to promote refugees' employment, and by working with Italian universities to promote access to higher education to refugees through scholarships and tutoring programmes.
The UNHCR Senior Communications Assistant based in Catania will directly report to the Senior Communication Associate in Rome. The Senior Communications Assistant will perform the duties listed in the standard job description, and, in consideration of the sharp increase of flows of mixed migration to southern Italian regions, s/he will:
1. Provide daily inputs on relevant local developments
2. Maintain and expand relations with local media and with national/international media present or travelling to Sicily and other southern regions
3. Assist in preparations of interviews for the Representative and PI Officer
4. Brief media and give interviews on the situation on the ground
5. Facilitate and, when necessary, accompany national/international media to field visits and assist them
6. Interview refugees and gather material for media stories
7. Suggest stories and topics for media coverage
8. Draft articles, reports, briefings, and other information gathered from various sources
9. Liaise with local interlocutors (including civil society organisations, refugee communities and local authorities)
10. Perform other duties as required by the Senior Communications Associate and or the Head of Unit.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Candidates must be legally authorized to work in Italy.
English is the official working language of UNHCR in Italy. Only applications fully completed in English will be considered.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Assessment of short-listed candidates might comprise of both an interview and a written test.
UNHCR is committed to diversity and welcomes applications from qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. UNHCR has a ZERO TOLERANCE policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. Successful candidates will be subject to mandatory UN Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and Sexual Harassment clearance check prior to receiving an offer.
UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees).
All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
According to the UNHCR/AI/2022/01, recruitment as a UNHCR staff member and engagement under a UNHCR affiliate scheme is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19. For this reason, you will be requested to provide a proof of full vaccination scheme during the recruitment process.
In case of any queries, please contact the Italy HR Team at itarovacancies@unhcr.org.
Functional ClearanceThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
,Italian
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Additional Qualifications
SkillsCO-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
CertificationsInternational Relations - Other, Journalism - Other, Political Science - Other
Work Experience
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Other information
This vacancy is archived.