Position Name: IRQ-E26-06 Communication Officer – Iraq
Required staff: one Person
Duration: 6 months with possibility of extension
Starting from: As Soon As Possible
Duty Station: Erbil Governorate
Closing date of the vacancy: June 13, 2026 COB
Type of contract : Employment Contract- Full Time
Background
Un Ponte Per (UPP) is an Italian non-governmental organization established in 1991. The organization has been working in Iraq since the early 1990s to promote peacebuilding, human rights, social justice, and civic participation.
UPP works in partnership with Iraqi civil society organizations, community actors, and national institutions to support access to justice, protection of civic space, gender equality, and inclusive governance.
As part of its programmatic engagement in Iraq, UPP is implementing the project “Building Peace and Stability in Iraq”, funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) aimed at strengthening access to justice, civil society participation, and the protection of human rights, while supporting dialogue between civil society and institutional stakeholders.
The Project
Building Peace and Stability in Iraq is a programme funded by FCDO (The UK Government’s Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office) implemented in Kirkuk, Salahaddin, Nineveh and Anbar. BPSI aims to support the reintegration of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees from Northeast Syria in areas of return. The programme is currently implemented by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and six local NGOs (Peace and Freedom Organization, Tahreer Association for Development, House of Co-existence, Justice Center, Legal Clinic Network, and Investigator Organization for the Rule of Law) managed by the International Rescue Committee (IRC). The programme component delivered by IRC has been running since 2023. Due to IRC’s planned departure from Iraq in 2026, Un Ponte Per-ETS (UPP) is taking over the leadership of this component during 2026-2027 Fiscal Year in partnership with Agency for Peacebuilding who will be acting as technical and advisory support.
Project Purpose: To ensure safe return and sustainable reintegration of conflict-affected Iraqis, fostering stability and resilience in communities
Outcome I: Community groups engage to identify specific drivers of conflict, promote social cohesion, and reduce discrimination.
Outcome II: People impacted by displacement can access justice and exercise their rights to achieve durable solutions
Outcome III: Government actors, civil society, and community leaders are equipped with knowledge and skills to promote achievement of durable solutions and social cohesion
Job Description
To lead and coordinate communication and visibility efforts for the BPSI Phase IV programme. The Communication Officer ensures that project achievements are effectively documented, disseminated, and promoted to donors, partners, communities, and the wider public. The role strengthens UPP’s narrative on durable solutions, social cohesion, and civil society capacity building, while ensuring compliance with donor visibility requirements.
Main Duties and Responsibilities:
Strategic Communication
· Develop and implement a communication plan aligned with project objectives and donor requirements.
· Ensure consistent messaging across consortium partners, highlighting localisation, peacebuilding, and reintegration outcomes.
Content Development
· Produce high quality communication materials, including press releases, newsletters, social media content, case studies, and success stories.
· Document field activities through photos, videos, and human interest stories, ensuring ethical and safeguarding standards.
· Support partners in developing communication outputs that reflect local voices and perspectives.
Visibility & Branding
· Ensure compliance with FCDO and consortium branding/visibility guidelines.
· Coordinate production of visibility materials (banners, brochures, reports, digital content).
· Liaise with Iraq Communication Officer and HQ Communication Unit to align Iraq outputs with UPP’s global communication standards.
Media & Stakeholder Engagement
· Maintain relationships with local and national media outlets to promote project achievements.
· Support organisation of public events, roundtables, and advocacy campaigns.
· Facilitate communication between consortium partners and external stakeholders, including UN agencies, government institutions, and donors.
Monitoring & Reporting
· Track communication activities and provide monthly updates to the Country Director and HQ Communication Unit.
· Contribute to donor reporting by drafting communication sections and annexes.
· Monitor public perception and media coverage related to project themes.
Reporting & Coordination
· Reports directly to the BPSI Project Manager with technical coordination from HQ Communication Unit
· Works closely with consortium partners, HQ Communication Unit, and technical advisors.
· Coordinates with MEAL team to integrate evidence and data into communication outputs.
· Collaborates with the PSEAH focal point to ensure communication materials respect safeguarding principles.
ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT :
Qualifications & Experience:
· Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
· Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in communication roles within humanitarian or development organisations.
· Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills in English and Arabic (Kurdish an asset).
· Experience managing social media platforms and digital communication tools.
· Familiarity with donor visibility requirements (FCDO, EU, UN).
· Photography, videography, and basic graphic design skills desirable.
· Excellent interpersonal and networking skills.
· Ability to translate complex technical content into accessible narratives.
· Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks under pressure.
· Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, and ethical communication standards.
Recruitment at UPP
- UPP is an Equal Opportunity Employer. UPP considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.
- UPP : upholds all the minimum standards in terms of Ethical Conduct and strives to increase its standards over the minimum. Zero tolerance is reserved to Sexual Abuse and Exploitation and to Child Abuse, Violence, Harm, Injury and Negligence, as well as to Anti-Corruption, Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism. By applying, the candidate assures that s/he has never breached any standards of SEA, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Corruption, Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism and that s/he won’t in the future. Candidates are alerted that the required background checks might compromise their privacy. Shortlisted candidates shall promptly provide an up-to-date criminal background check.
- All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Un Ponte Per also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment.
More information related to how to apply:
- Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
- Applications will be screened on a rolling basis. UPP reserves the right to recruit a candidate who matches the required qualifications before the mentioned deadline.
- Please name the files attached to your application as follows: Name_Surname_CV, Name_Surname_CL
- CV and Cover letter that are not in PDF version will not be considered.