Hardship Level (not applicable for home-based)E (most hardship)
Family Type (not applicable for home-based)
Non Family
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeUNOPS LICA6
Target Start Date2024-10-01
Job Posting End DateAugust 29, 2024
Terms of ReferenceNature of Position:
UNHCR Sub Office Homs covers Homs and Hama governorates, as well as the southern parts of Idleb, and delivers protection assistance and services through community-based protection activities aimed to enhance prevention of and response to protection risks and identify appropriate entry points for supporting community-based mechanisms. Through community centers run by NGO partners, UNHCR provides a range of integrated protection services, including legal aid, support for civil documentation and HLP issues, PSS, education, child protection services, GBV prevention and response, primary health care and livelihoods, among others. Although currently, the UNHCR does not promote large-scale voluntary return of refugees to Syria, it however within its mandate, remain committed to provide protection and assistance to those who have returned. This is achieved through effective monitoring, enhanced coordination, outreach efforts, and needs assessments with the goal of ensuring that returning refugees receive the necessary humanitarian support for sustainable reintegration. Within the inter-agency coordination structure, UNHCR is the lead agency of the Protection and Shelter/NFIs Sectors.
The Communication/PI Associate works under the direct supervision of the Head of Sub Office while maintaining functional communication with Communication/PI colleagues based at the Country Office in Damascus. The incumbent is responsible for assisting in the drafting of situation reports, briefing notes, background materials, talking points, and fact sheets, among other communication materials, to enhance UNHCR’s outreach and visibility within the Area of Responsibility (AoR). Additionally, the incumbent will provide regular updates for relevant UNHCR websites on local developments and ensure that briefing materials from the Sub Office and other offices are readily available. When necessary, the incumbent will accompany visiting delegations and media on field missions to project sites within the Area of Responsibility (AoR), providing briefings, interpretative support, and commentary as directed by the Head of Sub-Office and/or Communication/PI colleagues. It is crucial that the incumbent stays updated on emerging digital technologies, is self-motivated and demonstrates the ability to work effectively under tight deadlines while managing multiple tasks simultaneously. Additionally, the incumbent must be capable of working in a diverse, multicultural, multi-ethnic, and mixed-gender environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Desired Candidate Profile:
1. Proven experience in preparing clear and concise reports.
2. Demonstrated experience or training in journalism, with strong skills in photography and videography.
3. Excellent English drafting, translation, and interpretation skills.
4. Strong knowledge of website design, management and social media account usage.
5. Basic understanding of humanitarian work environments.
Written test modality:
Shortlisted candidates will be required to sit for an eliminatory written test, and only the candidates who pass the test (passing threshold of 60%) will be called for the oral interview. Scores of the written test will not be combined with the overall scoring.
When completing the application, candidates are required to list all their language skills – including their mother tongue. The three broad levels are A1/A2 (\"Basic User\"), B1/B2 (\"Independent User\"), and C1/C2 (\"Proficient User\").
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.
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SkillsCO-Digital content production, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Editing, CO-International Media Contacts, CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics), CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
Education
CertificationsHumanities - Other, Journalism - Other, Social Sciences - Other
Work Experience
Other informationThis position doesn't require a functional clearance
Home-BasedNo