Background and Organizational Context

The position is in the Operations and Advocacy Division, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). OCHA is part of the United Nations Secretariat, responsible for bringing together humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to emergencies. OCHA also ensures a framework for each actor to contribute to the overall response efforts. OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies, advocate the rights of people in need, promote preparedness and prevention, and facilitate sustainable solutions.

The Communications Unit plays a critical role in supporting OCHA’s mandate by ensuring timely, accurate, and strategic dissemination of information to a wide range of audiences, including humanitarian partners, donors, the media, and the general public. Key priorities for the Unit include raising awareness of humanitarian needs and response efforts, strengthening advocacy for affected populations, and enhancing the visibility of OCHA’s work in Venezuela. The Unit faces challenges such as rapidly evolving humanitarian contexts, the need for clear and consistent messaging, and the importance of building strong relationships with local and international media and humanitarian organizations. The Communications Associate (GS6) position directly contributes to these priorities by supporting the development and implementation of communication strategies, producing high-quality content, and ensuring effective information flow within OCHA and with external stakeholders.

This job opening is for the Communications Associate position, based in Caracas, Venezuela.

Position Purpose

The Public Information Associate supports the effective implementation of OCHA’s Venezuela communications strategy in Venezuela by producing and disseminating timely, accurate, and relevant information on humanitarian needs and response efforts. This position contributes to raising awareness among key audiences, including humanitarian partners, donors, media, and the public, and helps strengthen advocacy for people affected by crises. Working closely with the Head of Communications Unit, the incumbent is responsible for developing content, maintaining information channels, and ensuring consistent messaging that aligns with OCHA’s mandate and priorities in a dynamic and challenging context.

Key Duties and Accountabilities

Requirements

Education

Secondary education is required.

Bachelor’s degree in social communications, journalism, social sciences or related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement

 Experience, Knowledge, and Skills

List: 

• A minimum of 6 years (with a high school diploma) or 3 years (with a bachelor’s degree) of relevant experience in public information, journalism, international relations, public administration or related area is required. 
• Experience working in national media, communication agencies or organizational communication is required. 
• Experience in working in social media is desirable.
• Excellent communication, drafting and analytical skills with attention to detail. Accuracy in editing documents.
• Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (e.g. Adobe pack-age), good knowledge and experience in handling of web-based management systems and medium knowledge in photo and video shooting and editing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners.
• Deep knowledge of the Venezuela's political, social, economic and media context.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Self-motivated and ability to work with tight deadlines.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in Spanish is required.
• Good knowledge of English is required. (Intermediate)

Expected Demonstration of Competencies

Core

People Management (Insert below standard sentence if the position has direct reports.)

This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

UNDP People Management Competencies can be found in the dedicated site.

Cross-Functional & Technical competencies

Disclaimer

Equal opportunity

As an equal opportunity employer, UNDP values diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate and, as such, we encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply for roles in the organization. Our employment decisions are based on merit and suitability for the role, without discrimination. 

UNDP is also committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, are valued, can thrive, and benefit from career opportunities that are open to all.

Sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse of authority

UNDP does not tolerate harassment, sexual harassment, exploitation, discrimination and abuse of authority. All selected candidates, therefore, undergo relevant checks and are expected to adhere to the respective standards and principles. 

Probation

For all new UNDP fixed term appointments (FTA), including for staff members being transferred or seconded to UNDP under the Inter-Organization Agreement concerning Transfer, Secondment or Loan of Staff, on an appointment of more than one year, continuation of the appointment beyond the initial 12 months is contingent upon the successful completion of a probationary period.

Right to select multiple candidates

UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement.  We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

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