Hardship LevelH (no hardship)
Family TypeFamily
Family TypeFamily
Residential location (if applicable)
GradeNOD
Staff Member / Affiliate TypeNational Professional Officer
ReasonRegular > Regular Assignment
Target Start Date2024-08-05
Job Posting End DateMarch 21, 2024
Standard Job Description
Senior Communications Officer
Organizational Setting and Work Relationships
In line with its Global Communications Strategy, UNHCR requires skilled communications professionals to conceive and execute a range of activities that help us lead the narrative on forced displacement, generate empathy and mobilize action. This body of work spans communications strategy and coordination, news and media relations, multimedia content production, social media engagement, Goodwill Ambassadors and other influencers, public outreach and campaigns, fundraising, analytics and brand.
UNHCR's Senior Communications Officers need to cultivate a keen understanding of our target audience' including an up-to-the-minute grasp of the methods and tone of voice that resonate deeply, win trust and spark quality engagement. They must be vigilant about editorial and journalistic standards, attentive to protection concerns and political sensitivities, and focused on communicating successfully with key demographics. These audiences will vary by location, language and platform, among other factors, as well as whether the aim is to inform, advocate or raise funds.
Senior Communications Officers' functions, working relationships and skills specializations differ depending on language, location, grade, and whether they sit within a country operation, a regional bureau or the Global Communications Service. UNHCR's primary target audiences include public, media and policymakers, while our main partners and influencers include peers and private sector, trusted figures and our own workforce. Some communicators will focus mainly on news and media relations, for example, while others will produce multimedia content, manage social media accounts or lead advocacy campaigns. Forging partnerships with media outlets that reach target audiences is a central role for all Senior Communications Officers.
All Senior Communications Officers are expected to work strategically in support of UNHCR's operational and communications objectives for their geographic area of responsibility (AoR) as well as global priorities. Communications approaches should reflect our core values as an organization that is caring, trustworthy, proactive, outcome-focused and responsive. This will reinforce UNHCR's role as the lead agency that protects refugees, internally displaced and stateless people and mobilizes action to provide solutions.
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
- Develop and implement communications strategies for countries, situations and special projects; identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCR's global communications objectives.
- Monitor news and popular trends to insert UNHCR's messaging into ongoing conversations; identify key moments for proactive communications.
- 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.
- Develop 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).
- Ensure content created reaches maximum impact by developing strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of our content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
- Closely monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly. Benchmark the results of communications projects against set success indicators; build on communications successes.
Additional duties for news and media roles:
- Strategically lead UNHCR's media relations work for designated AoR and thematic issues, working with international and national media, acting as a UNHCR spokesperson for their respective areas, doing interviews, speaking on behalf of the Organization at press events, handling media queries and providing comment. Maintaining close coordination with focal points in headquarters, bureaux, and country offices.
- Working in collaboration with Senior Management and assigned focal points, lead development and implementation of communications strategies for the assigned AoR, ensuring close alignment with UNHCR's Global Communications Strategy.
- Develop in-depth expertise on their assigned AoR and issues, proposing and developing communications/advocacy initiatives, plans and messaging, securing internal consensus for these, and overseeing rapid and timely implementation.
- Ensure UNHCR's leading share of voice in a variety of news and social media on all matters relating to refugees and others under the Organization's duty of care, by proposing initiatives, and using reactive, opportunistic and proactive communications.
- Draft, research, prepare, fact check, sub-edit and secure clearances for media releases (including reports, media briefing notes, fact sheets, statements and press releases), keeping in mind needs of media and public.
- Engage with media and public on social media in support of UNHCR's global advocacy objectives on behalf of refugees, the internally displaced and stateless people.
- Ensure messaging and other communications guidance is regularly updated and shared in a timely manner with other communications staff and UNHCR managers and representatives.
- Provide expert communications advice to senior staff, including on strategies and media relations tactics, as needed. Propose communications initiatives, secure internal support for them, and once agreed see them to completion
- Undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors, as well as short-notice missions to humanitarian emergencies and other situations as required, and represent UNHCR at media and public events.
- Facilitate the production of multimedia content for the assigned AoR, working with the Content Production Section within UNHCR's Global Communications Service as well as staff and freelance contributors.
- Seek opportunities for collaborative advocacy with partners, while ensuring UNHCR's distinct positioning and brand visibility.
- Ensure that media contact lists are regularly updated and that effective distribution mechanisms are in place for time-dependent communications products including press releases and statements.
- Ensure highest standards of accuracy and editorial content in all external outputs. Offer editorial guidance and coordinate training activities for communications staff;
- 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.
Additional duties for news and media roles within the Global Communications Service
- Oversee coordination of communications work for their designated regions and thematic issues, working closely with communications staff in bureaux and country offices and in collaboration with the senior communications officers/advisers in that region.
- Manage a wide network of relationships at all levels across bureaux, divisions and offices (including the Executive Office) to ensure timely internal information sharing as a foundation for grounded communications, and to build consensus around communications proposals.
- Maintain close involvement in communications recruitment and training needs for assigned regions, keeping in mind UNHCR's goals of employing and retaining the world's leading humanitarian communications expertise.
Additional duties for news and media roles within Country Offices
- Act as the primary interface on communications matters between their country office and the Global Communications Service.
- Supervise and oversee country communications team and manage related budgetary resources.
- Act as the lead for crisis communications work for countries in their region, alerting the GCS/News & Media Section's crisis communications lead to risk issues and ensuring close coordination.
Additional duties for news and media roles within Regional Bureaux
- Serve as primary liaison and interface for advocacy and communications matters between the Bureau and the Global Communications Service. Establish for the Bureau global positioning and advocacy priorities and timelines for these in consultation with Senior Management and assigned focal point.
- Advocate within Bureau for a positive communications culture that takes into account the political and protection landscapes for country operations and UNHCR's global positioning needs.
- Supervise and oversee country and regional communications teams and manage related budgetary resources.
- Lead risk assessments and discussions with team(s) to proactively manage risks and seize opportunities impacting objectives. Ensure that risk management principles are integrated in decision-making both at strategic and operational levels. Allocate resources for planned treatments with resource requirements in Strategic Plans. Ensure that risks are managed to acceptable levels and escalate, as needed. If a Risk Owner, designate the Risk Focal Point and certify that the annual risk review is completed and ensure that the risk register is updated during the year, as needed.
- Perform other related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
Years of Experience / Degree Level
For P4/NOD - 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Journalism; International Relations; Political Science;
Communications; Public Information; Media;
Film / Video; or other relevant field.
Certificates and/or Licenses
Not specified.
Relevant Job Experience
Essential
Minimum 7 years of professional experience in journalism and/or communications, mainly at international level.
Desirable
Depending on the specific role, the following areas of experience may be essential or desirable: Experience developing and implementing communications strategies. Strong social media presence. Experience working on advocacy campaigns. Experience working with goodwill ambassadors and other high-profile influencers. Experience with brand management. Experience with measurement and evaluation, especially providing analysis of media coverage, social media engagement, web traffic, etc. Experience reporting, writing, editing for magazines, newspapers and websites. Experience using digital asset management systems. Experience with digital analytics and performance reporting.
Functional Skills
Required skills will vary according to the precise nature of the role, location, etc. but may include:
CO-Drafting and Documentation
CO-International Media Contacts
CO-Strategic Communication
CO-Public Speaking
CO-Spokesperson skills
CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches
CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)
CO-Editing
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 Operational Context: (include details here on the “ideal” candidate – both in terms of soft skills, as well as technical/functional skills etc).
The Representation of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Canada is seeking a full-time Senior Communications/Public Information Officer for its Ottawa Office.
This position will report directly to the Country Representative and supervises a team of 5 communications and external relations specialists, while working closely with a large team of protection, durable solutions and private sector fundraising experts throughout Canada.
The incumbent will lead a team in helping increase government and public support for refugees and the forcibly displaced, supporting the UNHCR Office in media relations, campaigns, government and donor relations and advocacy work in relation to refugee issues, both within Canada and worldwide. External contacts are generally with a broad range of officials, including government, international and educational institutions, civil society organizations, media -including social media, donors and/or the general public.
Functional Statement:
Accountability (key results that will be achieved)
Responsibility (process and functions undertaken to achieve results)
Major Duties and Responsibilities
Communications and Media
- Provide high-level advice to senior management on media interactions/act as spokesperson for the organization on a wide range of issues, ensuring subject matter expertise within the communications team on priority issues for UNHCR Canada;
- Develop and implement communications strategies and identify thematic priorities and target audiences to meet UNHCR Canada’s objectives and in line with UNHCR’s global priorities.
- 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.
- Manage 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).
- Ensure content created reaches maximum impact by developing strategies for distribution from the outset, boosting the visibility of our content on relevant UNHCR channels and placing it on external channels.
- Closely monitor the implementation of communications projects and adjust accordingly. Benchmark the results of communications projects against set success indicators; build on communications successes.
- Identify and target major events and initiatives (e.g. commercial, cultural, political and sports) to promote the work of UNHCR.
- Undertake missions and field trips with media and other official visitors in support of UNHCR and its work;
- Manage and oversee communications budgets and expenditures.
External Relations
- Stay abreast of the challenges posed by the political context in Canada and globally, the UN and humanitarian reform, and institutional developments in the area of forced displacement and humanitarian operations.
- Manage high-level relationships with a range of Government of Canada stakeholders, ensuring financial and political support for refugees and UNHCR’s key issues in Canada and globally
- Maintain a close dialogue with and provide accurate information to donors by organizing regular briefings, bilateral meetings and donor missions, and prepare reports as appropriate.
- In accordance with the operational context and in close cooperation with headquarters and the regional bureau, provide strategic advice on sustaining and diversifying funding sources for UNHCR and UNHCR partner work;
- Disseminate information on UNHCR’s global funding situation and mobilize additional funds to implement special projects aimed at enhancing the quality of protection for persons of concern globally
- Liaise with colleagues across UNHCR HQ, regional bureaus, country operations and Canada’s fundraising team to coordinate approaches to communications and engagement in Canada
- Coordinate the drafting of, and/or draft, briefing notes, background material, talking points, fact sheets, press releases and articles for executive and senior-level UN officials;
- Develop targeted communications strategies and media packages for situations and/or activities that require focused attention.
Perform any other responsibilities/functions deemed necessary or as delegated by the UNHCR Representative.
Language Requirements:
- Fluent spoken and written English required. Fluency in French a strong asset and knowledge of Spanish desirable.
Skills and Experience:
- Minimum of 9 years of relevant job experience at professional level in progressively responsible functions related to UNHCR, other humanitarian agencies and/or government departments.
- Senior-level leadership and management experience.
- Previous experience in an international capacity of a similar functional area is an asset.
- Excellent communication, written and presentation abilities, with strong managerial, interpersonal and negotiation skills.
- Technical knowledge in graphic communication and website content an asset
- General understanding of the UN/UNHCR priority agenda
- Past experience in campaigning and outreach to various audiences, including the general public.
Authority (decisions made in executing responsibilities and to achieve results)
Essential Minimum Qualifications and Experience:
Years of Experience / Degree Level
NOD 9 years relevant experience with Undergraduate degree; or 8 years relevant experience with Graduate degree; or 7 years relevant experience with Doctorate degree
Field(s) of Education
Journalism; International Relations; Political Science;
Communications; Public Information; Media;
Film / Video; or other relevant field.
Functional Skills
Required skills will vary according to the precise nature of the role, location, etc. but may include:
CO-Digital content production
CO-Editing
CO-International Media Contacts
CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics)
CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches
CO-Public Speaking
CO-Spokesperson skills
CO-Strategic Communication
CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
CO-Web publishing and content management
MS-Drafting, Documentation, Data Presentation
Core Competencies:
- Accountability
- Communication
- Organizational Awareness
- Teamwork & Collaboration
- Commitment to Continuous Learning
- Client & Result Orientation
Managerial Competencies
- Managing Resources
- Empowering and Building Trust
- Judgement and Decision Making
- Leadership
- Strategic Planning and Vision
Cross-Functional Competencies
- Analytical Thinking
- Planning and Organizing
- Change Capability and Adaptability
Additional Information
Recruitment as a UNHCR staff member is subject to proof of vaccination against Covid-19.
Functional Clearance required for this position.
Eligibility:
Applicants must be eligible to work in Canada when applying. To be eligible to work in Canada, applicants must have one of the following legal status: Canadian citizen or a (valid) Permanent Resident of Canada or valid work permit in Canada under Immigration & Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
Closing date: 21 March 2024 at 12pm GENEVA Time.
IMPORTANT NOTE: This position is advertised internally. Candidates must be legally present in Canada at the time of application, recruitment, and hire. Only candidates holding a valid work permit, permanent residency or citizenship in Canada will be considered eligible. Only those shortlisted candidates will be contacted. CVs/Resumes will not be accepted by email. ONLY THOSE APPLICATIONS SENT THROUGH THE SYSTEM WILL BE CONSIDERED.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates may be required to sit for a written test and competency based interview. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing or any other fees).
Remuneration:
A competitive compensation and benefits package is offered. For information on UN salaries, allowances, and benefits, please visit the portal of the International Civil Service Commission at: https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales.
UNHCR is an equal opportunity employer and does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training, or any other fees). UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview, processing, or any other fees).
UNHCR strongly encourages qualified female applicants for this position. UNHCR seeks to ensure that male and female employees are given equal career opportunities. UNHCR is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality, and culture. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
Required languages (expected Overall ability is at least B2 level):
,
,
Desired languages
,
,
Operational context
Additional Qualifications
SkillsCO-Digital content production, CO-Drafting and Documentation, CO-Editing, CO-International Media Contacts, CO-Journalism (incl. print, broadcast, photography, video, layout & graphics), CO-Preparation of key messages/talking points/speeches, CO-Public Speaking, CO-Spokesperson skills, CO-Strategic Communication, CO-Video production for digital platforms (including news organizations)
EducationBachelor of Arts (BA): Communication (Required), Bachelor of Arts (BA): International Relations, Bachelor of Arts (BA): Political Science
Certifications
Work Experience
CompetenciesAccountability, Analytical thinking, Client & results orientation, Commitment to continuous learning, Communication, Empowering & building trust, Innovation & creativity, Judgement & decision making, Leadership, Organizational awareness, Political awareness, Strategic planning & visions, Teamwork & collaboration
UNHCR Salary Calculator
https://icsc.un.org/Home/SalaryScales
Additional Information
Functional clearanceThis position requires Functional Clearance